The Welsh school with the best A level results in the UK
One pupil scored 97% for a project on how cannabis can affect sleep
Hiya Ray, of Cardiff Sixth Form College
(Image: Cardiff Sixth Form College)
A Welsh college has topped The Times' UK league table for A level results again. Cardiff Sixth Form College, a private school on Newport Road, has achieved its highest A* rate (68.2%) in a non-Covid year, bucking the trend of results across Wales where top grades were down.
Some 94% of the 122 students at the college achieved A*-A grades, while 99.6% were awarded A*-B grades and 100% A*-C. The highly academically selective college, which takes boarders and day pupils, says it has been the UK's top school for A level results for 14 years.
Cardiff Sixth Form College has 50 students who got four or more A* grades and 13 with five A*s. Principal Tom Arrand said: "It is a privilege to work with such motivated and inspirational students, and the staff who have facilitated their success."
Hiya Ray, from St Mellons, achieved four A*s in maths, further maths, physics, and economics. She has won a place to study applied maths and economics at Yale. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter .
The 18-year-old's extended project qualification focused on microfinance and its ability to empower women in developing countries — a passion sparked by her work experience at a microfinance bank in Kolkata, India, where her family is originally from.
"I love learning, but I also love giving back and whether it's through debate, music, law or economics, I want to keep making a difference," she said. "I'd be bored if I wasn't doing something that challenged me."
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Ariana Howells
(Image: Cardiff Sixth Form College)
Ariana Howells, a scholarship student from Barry, has secured a place to study biochemistry at Oxford University's St Hilda's College, achieved three A*s and one A in biology, chemistry, maths, and English literature as well as a standout 97% in her extended project qualification.
The 17-year-old's research for the project focused on how cannabis can affect sleep and mental wellbeing. Cardiff Sixth Form College called her "a young voice in the growing conversation around medical cannabis and mental health treatment".
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The college attracts students from around the globe while offering scholarships to high achievers from maintained schools in Wales.
You can read more of our A-Level results coverage here.
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