2 days ago
Students celebrate A Level results as Wales performs well for top grades
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Thousands of students across North Wales have been celebrating getting their A Level results today (Thursday). After months of hard graft, the day has finally come where youngsters find out the fruits of their labour, before deciding what to do next.
And there were celebrations and smiles across the region from Wrexham to Anglesey, with learners once again getting great grades, despite tougher standards.
Council chiefs across North Wales paid tribute to the hard work put in by students and wished them the best for the future, as they weigh up the best options going forward.
Councillor Lis Burnett, Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson for education, said: "Congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. Whether you're celebrating or feeling unsure about your next steps, I want to recognise the hard work that's brought you to this point – you should be incredibly proud.
"These results reflect not only your commitment, but the support of teachers, support staff, and families who have helped you along the way. Thank you to everyone who has played a part in supporting students to reach their potential.
(Image: Prestatyn High Shcool)
"If you're still working out what comes next, there are people who can help. Careers Wales, your school or college are great places to start – whether you're thinking about university, work, training, or taking some time to plan your next move."
And there were some fantastic individual results, too numerous to list in their entirety, but they included Coleg Llandrillo student Gwern Doherty, who will be studying physics at the University of Manchester, after achieving A*AA in Physics, Maths and Further Maths.
There was also Amy Witherspoon: 1 A* and 3As and Tania Samed: 1 A* and 3As at Ysgon Emrys ap Iwan, in Abergele and student athlete Lilly Noble, an A Level learner at Coleg Cambria Deeside, who has been awarded a 100% scholarship to attend Murray State University in Kentucky.
It comes after the results in Wales and Northern Ireland returned to pre-pandemic grading in 2024, a year later than in England.
But despite the celebrations, there were concerns over inequalities in results, although Wales permformed well against other areas of England and Northern Ireland, with 10.5% of students gaining A* only behind London (11.6%) and South East England (11%).
(Image: Ysgol John Bright)
Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said A Level grades have returned to a 'consistent standard' since the pandemic and he would expect that to 'broadly continue' this year.
But Mr Di'Iasio told the PA news agency: 'Unfortunately, we also expect to see the continuation of persistent inequities in terms of performance gaps between different regions and students.
'This is a product of longstanding socio-economic factors which require a much more concerted society-wide effort to fix.'
He added: 'The legacy of Covid is part of this picture, with the disruption caused by the pandemic likely to have had the greatest impact on students from disadvantaged homes."
Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said: 'We must brace ourselves for stark divides in A Level results this year — not only between state and private schools, but also between London and other regions such as the South West and North East.
(Image: Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi)
'In recent years, the gap in top grades — As and A*s, the passports to the most selective universities — has grown alarmingly, undermining efforts to widen access.
'These inequities are being driven by a toxic mix of the cost-of-living crisis, rising poverty, persistent school absence, and the long shadow of Covid.
'Unless we act, we risk locking in generational divides that will shape life chances for decades, with all our social mobility indicators now flashing red.'
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, 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."
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