STUDENTS across the county are celebrating their achievements today as they collected their A level results.

Caldicot School is celebrating another record breaking set of results, with the percentage of students achieving 2A* to C grades the best on record at 86 per cent.

There was also a rise in the percentage of students achieving A* to B grades for the fourth consecutive year.

Among the best results at the school were Joe Carter, who had A*A*A in biology, chemistry and mathematics, Isobel Commins with D*D*D in health and social care, Kaitlyn Guy with AA*A in chemistry, physics and mathematics, Lucy Jenkins with AAA in biology, chemistry and psychology, Harry Jones with AA*A in physics, mathematics and further mathematics, Natasha Jones with DDD in health and social care, Maisha Miah with AAA* in biology, chemistry and Welsh Baccalaureate and Becky Wall with A*A*A in biology, chemistry and mathematics.

“This record breaking set of results is the culmination of a determined effort by students, staff and parents, and is a reward for two years of hard work,” said Simon Rees deputy headteacher.

Mr Peter Nurcombe, chair of governors, added: “These results reflect the hard work and commitment of our students and staff. The governing body joins me in wishing these young people every success in their futures.”

Chepstow School students also enjoyed exceptional A level results.

98 per cent of the school’s grades were at A* to E, and particularly outstanding was that 35 per cent achieved A* to A, with 17 per cent achieving A* grades. The school’s A* to B per cent was also impressive, at 56 per cent.

Highlights from the school came from Cerys Barclay, who achieved four A* grades in biology, chemistry, physics and maths and will go to Imperial College, London, to study biomedical engineering, Emily Williams, who achieved A*A*A*A and will study mathematics at the University of Warwick, Jacob Van Buren, who achieved A*AAA in further maths, history and chemistry, Miranda Jones, who achieved A*AA, Sophie Clegg who achieved AAA and Evan Phipps, who achieved AAA and will study business management at Cardiff University.

The school’s BTEC results were also outstanding, with noteworthy achievements including those of Emily Pine-Smith who attained D*D*D* and a C in ICT A-level, Saiva Salce who achieved D*D*D* and a B in ICT A-level, and Georgia Reid who achieved D*D*D.

Chepstow students have also secured some excellent apprenticeships, including Tom Ashton who will train with Dyson, and Joel Kirton who will train with Babcock International.

Melanie Thomas, Assistant Headteacher 14-19, said: “I am so thrilled that the hard work and dedication of our students and staff has paid such brilliant dividends. Our results at Chepstow School are, once again, truly stunning, and our students have excelled on their chosen pathways thanks to their diligence and the hard work and support of our inspiring staff. We wish all of our students the very best of luck for their next steps and we look forward to hearing about their future journeys as valued, lifelong members of our Chepstow family.”

Craig Bridgeman, Chair of Governors, said: “I am proud of the successes of our students and know that they have all the skills they need to make their next steps. Chepstow School staff have supported students in achieving brilliant outcomes that will empower them for the rest of their lives. They are very well prepared for the university, apprenticeships and work placements they go on to and we wish them the very best of luck.”

Wyedean Sixth Form Centre also enjoyed a range of top grades and places in this year’s A-level results.

More than half of all students achieved grades A* to B at A level, 80 per cent achieved grades A* to C, with an overall pass rate of 99 per cent (A* to E). This is in the context of much tougher, new two year linear A level qualifications being examined for the first time in England and a large cohort of students sitting A Levels and BTEC at Wyedean Sixth Form Centre. Notable successes at Wyedean include outstanding performance in A*-B grades including a range of subjects including English, Maths and the Arts.

The pass rate for BTEC was 100 per cent with Distinction grades achieved in a range of subjects including business, hospitality, music, performing arts and PE.

Students have been hugely successful in their university placements with a record number of applications to UCAS for the school. Students have obtained places at Russell Group universities on courses such as maths, English literature, history, engineering and medicine as well as a range of work-related degrees. A number of students have also achieved their chosen employment careers and apprenticeships.

Assistant Principal, Director of Sixth Form Johnathan Lane said: “This is an excellent set of results again and is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the teachers and hard work of students at Wyedean School. At Wyedean we appreciate that success can only be achieved through excellent teaching, hard-working students and a supportive environment at both school and home”.

Principal Rob Ford said: “This is a great day in school for anyone involved in education celebrating hard work, achievement and success of our young people who are looking forward to their future. The success of Post 16 education at Wyedean School is reflected not only in the 2017 excellent results and the record number of applications for this September from across Monmouthshire and the Forest of Dean but also in our commitment to an education that prepares and equips these brilliant students for the next stages of life”.

Haberdasher’s Monmouth School for Girls student Amelia Livingstone, from Chepstow, was awarded four A*s and will reading maths at Imperial College London.

See next week’s Beacon (23rd August) for more.