a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
A Level Results 2025: Gwent pupils celebrate their grades
From 8am today (Thursday, August 14), students were able to collect their results, although many who had applied to university already knew if they'd secured a place on their chosen course via UCAS.
Today's students picked up A Level, AS, Welsh Baccalaureate and other qualification results such as BTECS.
According to Qualifications Wales, there were 31,980 A Level entries in the summer of 2025.
So how did Welsh pupils fare?
A Level results for Wales published this morning show that 97.5% of students achieved A* - E grades, 0.1 percentage points higher than 2024 while 10.5% achieved the very top A* grade, a 0.4 percentage point increase on last year.
These exams are regarded as the second set of 'normal' assessments since the Covid pandemic.
Happy students at Crosskeys College proudly showing their A level results! (Image: NQ) Cabinet secretary for education, Lynne Neagle, congratulated learners across Wales.
She said: 'Today marks a significant milestone for students across Wales as they receive their results. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every student, alongside our dedicated teachers and education staff, whose commitment and effort have brought us to this moment.
'Every learner opening their results today has earned the right to feel immense pride in what they've accomplished, and these achievements demonstrate remarkable determination.
'As you look towards your future, whether that involves starting an apprenticeship, entering employment, or beginning studies at university, I wish you 'pob lwc'.
'For those seeking guidance on their next steps, support remains available through your school or college and the Young Person's Guarantee, which provides a range of options.
'I will continue to work on raising educational standards and ensure every young person has the support they need to achieve their goals.'
Happy students at Crosskeys College proudly showing their A level results! (Image: NQ) First Minister Eluned Morgan added: "Llongyfarchiadau to everyone receiving their results today, and diolch to all the amazing teachers, lecturers and parents for their support.
"You've all worked so hard, and whichever path you choose next I wish you all the best for the future."
Others felt as though this year's results were a cause for concern.
Commenting on A-Level Results Day, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natsha Asghar MS, said:
'Teachers, support staff, pupils and parents have all worked incredibly hard, but it's clear that the Welsh Labour Government is holding Wales back.
'It is a bitter disappointment for Wales that, under Labour, results here have fallen while elsewhere in the UK, the numbers achieving top A-level grades have increased.
'After 26 years of Labour, enabled and propped up by Plaid, it's clear that fewer Welsh pupils are able to realise their potential. Only the Welsh Conservatives can be trusted to fix our education system, with a focus on academic rigour and a renewed discipline drive.'
Harri Blakemore, 17, is going to study Environmental Geoscience at Cardiff University (Image: NQ) The South Wales Argus visited the Crosskeys Coleg Gwent campus on results day, where learners shared their experiences and reactions.
At the college pupils could get a free breakfast bacon butty to ease the nerves of results day.
Harri Blakemore, 17, is going to study Environmental Geoscience at Cardiff University. He reminded learners to be proud no matter the outcome.
He said: 'If you've done the work and you've put the same amount of effort that's what matters."
Miesha Hale 18 with her mum Leanne Daniels who was very proud of her results! (Image: NQ) Miesha Hale, 18, came to collect her results with her mum Leanne Daniels.
Miesha secured three A*s in law, criminology and sociology and is now set to study Law at Liverpool University.
Proud mum Leanne said: "I can't explain how happy I am - she's worked so hard and deserves it."
Libby Watson, 17 was pleasantly shocked by her results. (Image: NQ) Libby Watson, 17, says she did "very good" and is very pleased with her results in law, sociology and media. She has another year of college and was pleasantly shocked by her results.
She said: "I was very nervous, but I had much better results than expected - I'm going to celebrate by going out for food. I can breathe now!"
Molly Howells 18 was excited after securing an accounting apprenticeship (Image: NQ) Molly Howells was excited after securing an accounting apprenticeship.
She said: "I'm really pleased. I've got a degree apprenticeship in accounting with AAT Company, and I'm looking forward to celebrating."
Jane Ford, head of school for academic studies at Coleg Gwent Crosskeys, praised the pupils on their efforts.
She said: 'It's been brilliant for our learners and the results they've achieved are outstanding our staff have supported our learners and today the learners are reaping the rewards.
'We are so proud of the progression routes and the university places that our learners are taking up and we wish them all the best and lots of luck in their future endeavours and careers.'
Staff at Crosskeys College pleased with this year's A Level Results (Jane Ford in the blue polka dot dressed) (Image: NQ) Many schools in Gwent are delighted with the outcome of A Level results day 2025.
St Martin's Sixth Form in Caerphilly said they are proud to announce that 96 per cent of learners achieved the level 3 threshold of 2 A Level passes this year.
The number of learners attaining A*/As rose by 6 per cent to 23 per cent and there was a 100 per cent pass rate in 12 out of the 19 subjects studied by students this year.
Headteacher Lee Jarvis Headteacher congratulated the sixth form students on another exceptional year of results and wished the students well as they begin the next exciting chapter in their lives, knowing that they are now fully prepared for life beyond St Martin's.
A Level Results Day 2025 at Crosskeys College (Image: NQ) Students can choose from multiple progression routes.
For some this was university, others clearing and many showed interest in apprenticeships.
Amanda Wilkinson, Director of Universities Wales said: 'Students can be proud of their achievements and can now look forward to the next stage of their journey, which for many will involve studying at university.
'University can be a truly transformative time, opening up doors and opportunities which can change the lives of learners.
"Students joining a Welsh university this autumn can look forward to a high-quality and rewarding university experience that supports them to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
'For those who are still undecided or did not get the results they had hoped for, there are many options in Wales available through clearing. Our universities have advisors waiting to advise prospective students on the options available to them." Pupils gathered at Crosskeys College on A Level Results Day (Image: NQ) Commenting on apprenticeships, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: 'To date the Welsh Government has supported 73,795 new apprenticeships during this Senedd term, spending £144m this year - up from £128m previously.
'Through the Welsh Government's Young Person's Guarantee, we're working to support and encourage more employers to recruit apprentices helping to ensure that high-quality, work-based learning routes remain accessible to all 16–24-year-olds.'
Careers Wales that offers free careers advice also had their say.
Nikki Lawrence, Chief Executive of Careers Wales said: "Well done to everyone receiving their results today.
'Whether things turned out as you hoped or not, remember that there are plenty of different exciting opportunities available for you.
'Working Wales and the Young Person's Guarantee is here to support anyone who's unsure about their next steps this summer.
'Our expert careers advisers can help you explore options you might not have considered and guide you toward opportunities that follow your passions.
'We understand this can be a stressful time, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed by decisions about your future. But you're not alone, we are ready to help you find the route that's right for you and take those first steps with confidence."
