GCSE pupils across Monmouthshire ended weeks of nerves when they found out their results this morning (Thursday 22nd August).

Chepstow School staff and pupils have been celebrating their results with 90 per cent of chemistry and biology pupils achieving A to C at GCSE.

A fifth of pupils at the school achieved five or more A* to A GCSE grades, while pupils who sat the Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge achieved 91 per cent A* to C grades, with 21 per cent of pupils achieving A* or A grades in this subject.

Chepstow School pupil Dylan Ashill was "surprised in a good way" with his results and has chosen to continue studying at Chepstow School.

Isobel Terry was "really chuffed to be passing all of them." She plans to continue her studies at Monmouth Comprehensive School’s sixth form.

Some particularly noteworthy achievements are: George Smith who achieved ten A* and one A, Rachel Mackintosh who achieved ten A* and one A, Isobel Higgins who achieved seven A* and four As, Lillie Nicol who achieved seven A* and four As, Joe Rooney who achieved seven A* and four As, Joel Hand who achieved six A* and two As, Claire Irwin who achieved six A* and three As, Heather Shilling who achieved six A* and three As, Emily Lewis who achieved five A* and six As, Grace Miles who achieved four A* and five As, Jasmine Thomas who achieved four A* and six As, Jessica Ham who achieved ten As and William Merrick three A* and six As.

Matthew Sims, headteacher said: “We are proud of all of our pupils who have achieved outstanding results. They are now all able to move on to the next step of their educational career. These results have been achieved in partnership with support from parents and carers and through the commitment and dedication of school staff. It is this community approach that makes Chepstow School an inspiring place to be.”

Craig Bridgeman, Chair of Governors said: “Once again I am delighted with the GCSE results at the school. Their performance, hard work and outcomes will prepare these young learners for the next stage of their careers and progression routes. The Governing Body wish to congratulate all our young learners on the GCSE and last week`s A level results. A big thank you to our parents, carers, and the dedicated school staff who collectively provide the great support for our children to aspire and grow their knowledge in preparation for the next challenge. Well done!”

Pupils of Wyedean school also received their GCSE results with 64 per cent of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grade 4 or above which is equivalent to a C or above.

Wyedean pupil Jude Holmes described his results as "decent" and has decided to continue his studies at Wyedean school.

Fellow pupil Will Supple said that he was "excited for the future" having secured the grades needed to start his BTEC course at Hartpury College.

Head of Year 11, Laura Crum, said: “I am incredibly proud of my year group and their efforts to prepare for their exams with such positivity and resilience. In times of significant increased pressures on our young people, we value the importance of student wellbeing at Wyedean School and I know how much some of our young people have had to overcome to achieve such fantastic results today.”

Principal, Gwennan Jeremiah said: “This is a solid performance and paints a positive picture of Wyedean’s aim to provide a robust and diverse curriculum offer which best meets the needs of every one of our students. We very much look forward to welcoming the vast majority of the year group back in September for further studies and wish the best of luck to our pupils moving on to apprenticeships or other vocational opportunities.”

Monmouth County councillor Richard John, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “I am delighted for the all of our students who have received their results today. Results days are always a mixture of excitement and trepidation but we can see today that the hard work and dedication of all of our students, their families and our schools’ staff has paid off. I want to congratulate everybody for what they have achieved.”

Will McLean, Chief Officer for Children and Young People added: “Everyone should be very proud with the results they have achieved today. It is important we remember that these achievements are the result of lots of hard work and commitment on the part of the students but also those that support them at home and in school.”