GCSE students across Monmouthshire ended weeks of nerves when they found out their results this morning.
The results include a mixture of letter and number gradings with a new 9 considered to be a high A*, an 8 a low A*, a 7 the equivalent of an A grade, and 4 the equivalent of a C grade pass.
The new GCSE grading scheme is part of a new curriculum introduced in England’s schools in 2014 by then-Education Secretary, Michael Gove.
Changes have taken place in Wales, too, but the A* to G grading structure is being maintained.
•At Monmouth School for Boys, a total of 71 per cent of all grades were A* to A (or 9-7 on the new scale), compared to 61.9 per cent in 2017, and 98 per cent were A* to C (or 9-4).
Seven pupils at Monmouth School for Boys achieved the highest grade across all their subjects and over 30 per cent of grades, awarded on the reformed 9-1 grading, were the coveted 9.
Coleford duo Anan Kuleindiren and Tomos Brenan; Joseph Harrison, Kyah Meek, Cameron Michie, and Joseph Smith, who lives in Newport, all recorded a remarkable a haul of 10 A*s or a 9.
Kyah Meek, from Lydney, said: “I am delighted that the hard work has paid off and I am looking forward to taking Maths, Further Maths, Economics and History at A-level in the Sixth Form.
“I am interested in finance and banking and I would like to try to get into Oxbridge to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics.”
Keen rower Joseph Harrison, from Ross-on-Wye, said: “I put a lot of work in and decided to treat my mock exams as the real thing to get a benchmark.
“I am eventually hoping to read Classics at Oxbridge, so I will be studying Maths, Further Maths, Latin and Ancient Greek at A level.”
Music scholar, Cameron Michie, from Abergavenny, said: “It was a complete surprise because I had set my hopes lower but I am ecstatic with the results.
“I can’t wait to start my A-levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and English in the Sixth Form. I play the trombone and piano and sing in the choir and I am now thinking about applying for Oxbridge.”
Ieuan Rose, who lives near Raglan, and Edward Sleath, from Herefordshire, were awarded the highest grade in nine subjects.
Thomas Edwards, from Bristol, secured the top grade in eight subjects and keen sportsman Adam Williams in seven subjects.
Abergavenny’s Adam Williams, who plays rugby for Hereford Colts and was a member of Worcester Warriors’ Academy, said: “I made sure I came in this morning to pick up my results rather than look online because I wanted to see my friends.
“The overall results are great across the board. I am going to study Biology, Chemistry, History and French because I want to read Medicine at university.”
Dr Andrew Daniel, Headmaster at Monmouth School for Boys, said: “Given that many of our boys are very actively involved in our extra-curricular programmes, this year’s results are particularly impressive.
“A total of 71 per cent per cent of all grades were A* to A (or 9-7 on the new scale) and seven pupils were exceptional, securing the highest possible grades in 10 subjects. The staff and pupils should be very proud of their achievements.”
•At Monmouth School for Girls, a total 69.3 per cent of all grades were A* to A and 98.4 per cent of all grades were A* to C, compared to 98.1 per cent in 2017. 18 out of 22 students who sat the Additional Maths recorded a Distinction.
Three pupils at Monmouth School for Girls secured the highest grade across all their subjects and also gained a Distinction in their Additional Maths.
Amelia Gray and Esme Phillips, who both live in Monmouth, achieved the highest grade in 11 subjects and Katie Triantafilou-Wilson in 10. All three pupils were awarded Distinctions in Additional Maths.
Katie Triantafilou-Wilson, from Usk, said: “I am very happy because I wasn’t expecting these results but it means I can now study Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English Literature at A level. Hopefully, it will be another step towards my aim of reading Medicine at university.”
Herefordshire duo Lili Stiff, from Orcop, and Ellie Cole both achieved the equivalent of 10 A*s.
Ellie Cole, a keen hockey player and equestrian rider, from Allensmore, said: “I am particularly pleased with my results in languages because I am going to study Russian, German, French and Latin at A level.
“I would like to study Modern Foreign Languages at university and I am looking forward to the new co-educational teaching in the Sixth Form because it will be a natural step before going to university.”
Cara Draper, from Mitchel Troy, was awarded the highest grade in nine subjects as was Eva Barry and Holly Thomas.
Eva Barry, a budding engineer from Caerleon, said: “I am incredibly happy because I want to work in engineering and will be taking Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A level.
“I realised I wanted to become an engineer while I was studying GCSE Design and Technology because I enjoyed the practical aspects.”
A keen equestrian rider, Holly Thomas, from Abergavenny, said: “Everyone in my family rides horses and I would like to study veterinary science at university. I am taking Maths, Chemistry and Biology at A level in the Sixth Form.”
Bethan Evans achieved the highest grade in eight subjects. Bethan, a keen musician from Usk, said: “I was shocked when I saw my results but delighted too. My dream is to study Medicine and I will be taking Biology, Chemistry, and Geography at A-level.”
Almost half of the reformed grades at Monmouth School for Girls were achieved at 8 or 9, with Art receiving 50 per cent and Religious Studies 46 per cent of all grades at 9.
Acting Head of Monmouth School for Girls, Mr Tom Arrand, said: “We are very proud that almost a quarter of all grades achieved on the reformed 9-1 grading were at the highest possible mark, 9.
“Three pupils swept the board with the highest grades possible in all their subjects, while two others achieved the equivalent of 10 A*s.
“It highlights the value of hard work and dedication from pupils and the teaching staff.
“With the launch of co-educational teaching from September in Monmouth Schools Sixth Form, we are very excited about the future development of girls and boys within our family of schools as they build on these impressive GCSE results and aim high for their A-levels.”
•Monmouth Comprehensive School students sat the new reformed GCSEs this summer and achieved excellent results across the curriculum, especially at the higher grades.
In the new WJEC GCSE Science exams of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, more than 40 per cent of grades were at A* and A. There was similar success across the curriculum. 52 per cent of all grades in History were at A* and A and in RS, 54 per cent of all grades at A* and A. In the Performing and Expressive Arts Faculty, 62 per cent of all grades in Music were at A* and A and in Drama 41 per cent. In Information Technology, 73 per cent of grades were at A* and A. In the new Skills Challenge Certificate, 90 per cent of students achieved at national level. These excellent results have been achieved through the hard work, determination and ambition of students, parents and staff.
With all this success, it is the individual stories of personal endeavour to achieve the very best that reveal the resilience of our students. Nearly 60 students achieved five or more grades at the highest level of A* and A, with many at A* and A in every subject.
Director of Learning at KS4, Mr Jake Parkinson, said: “This is always an anxious time for students; more so this year with the new reformed GCSEs. I am delighted that students have achieved so well and are looking forward to taking-up their next pathway of learning. Many of our students will be returning this September to start their AS and A-levels as well as National BTEC Qualifications in a range of vocational subjects. I am delighted that we have one of the largest course choices at Post 16, with a Sixth Form of over 340 students. It makes for a very vibrant and dynamic learning experience.”
Mr Vaughan Davies, the Headteacher spoke of his enormous pride in students and staff who have had to cope with the new reformed GCSEs alongside being on a building site. “Our wonderful new school building opens this September. It is an incredible building with state-of-the-art facilities for learning. I would encourage the whole community to come and look round on our Open Evening and Open Days. We will publish dates on our website and in the local press. Please make a date to visit.”