A-LEVEL students across Monmouthshire are celebrating their success.

More than 400 students are celebrating an outstanding set of examination results enabling them to progress to the next steps in university, colleges and work places all over Britain.

Across the county the percentage of students achieving the very highest grades was consistent with last year’s results with 29 per cent of papers graded A* or A. This compares positively with the national performance of 26.3 per cent. The overall pass rate in Monmouthshire was 98 per cent.

There has been a further increase across Monmouthshire in the number of students achieving the Level 3 threshold (of two A-levels grades A-E) to 98.3 per cent, an increase of 1.0 per cent from last year.

Students at Monmouth School for Boys are celebrating an excellent set of A-level results, with 43.5 per cent of all grades being A* to A: comfortably above the national average of 26.4 per cent.

22 boys achieved three or more A* to A grades and 64.7 per cent of all grades achieved were A* to B.

Deputy Head of School, William Telling, led the way with three A*s and an A to secure his place at University College London.

William, who lives in the Osbaston area of Monmouth, has secured his grades to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

William Guo was another stand-out candidate, achieving two A*s and two As to study Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London.

William has shone throughout his time at Monmouth, previously winning an Arkwright Scholarship for Design and Technology and gaining gold awards in national maths challenges.

Head of Sixth Form Centre, Richard Lambert, secured three A*s and a B in his four subjects.

Richard, from Shirenewton near Chepstow, will be taking up his place at Durham University to read Classics.

Captain of Tennis, Max Hitchcock, from Devauden near Chepstow, recorded three As and will now read Dentistry at Cardiff University.

Max will be joined in Cardiff by Monty Rees, from Tidenham near Chepstow, who also achieved three As to seal his place on the highly-regarded Dentistry course.

Deputy Head of School, Oliver Jones, who had a starring role as the ruthless policeman Javert in the outstanding musical production of Les Misérables, was awarded three As.

Oliver, a keen musician with the lower strings, is currently in Australia and is planning to take a year out before applying to study Medicine.

Samuel Beard, from St Briavels in the Forest of Dean, achieved two A*s and an A and will be reading Engineering at Durham University, while James Bell-Thomas, who lives in Monmouth, secured an A* and three As.

Among the other high achievers were Elis Bird with two A*s and an A, who will be reading Economics at the University of Bath, and Harold Nock, from Coleford, who was awarded two A*s and two As to study Civil Engineering at the University of Bristol.

Dr Andrew Daniel, Headmaster of Monmouth School for Boys, said: “We are delighted that the majority of our boys achieved the grades to take up places at their first choice universities, including the elite Russell Group Universities, to study a broad cross-section of subjects.

“At Monmouth, the boys work extremely hard in their academic studies, and achieve results, alongside being involved in many other activities that contribute to our co-curricular programme.”

Dr Daniel added: “As the boys move into a range of exciting university courses they leave us as confident and assured young men.”

A-level pupils at Monmouth School for Girls are also celebrating a glowing set of results.

45.7 per cent of all grades were A* to A – well above the national average of 26.4 per cent. 75.3 per cent of all grades were A* to B, an improvement in the results from 2017, and the A* rate was 17.4 per cent, again exceeding the national average.

The school was particularly pleased that the vast majority of pupils gained their first or second choice place at university.

Helena Peacock, from Devauden near Chepstow, achieved three A*s and will be heading to the prestigious Jesus College, Oxford, to read English.

“I am excited to be going to Oxford and it’s great to see that many of my friends did very well in their exams too.”

Head Girl, Erin McInnes Willard, from Shirenewton near Chepstow, was awarded two A*s and an A and will be taking up a Liberal Arts degree at Durham University.

“My alarm went off at 6am and I quickly checked my results on the internet. I had a very busy and fulfilling year as Head Girl and I am delighted to round it off in this way. I enjoy writing and current affairs and would like to perhaps work in journalism in the future.”

Four girls will be following their dream in the field of science after shining in their results.

Isabel Lewis, from Osbaston in Monmouth, recorded three A*s and an A and will be reading Physics at the University of Birmingham.

Francesca Elverson, also from Osbaston, achieved two A*s and two As and will study either Natural Sciences at Durham University or Chemical Physics at the University of Edinburgh.

Annie Harlow, from Llanrothal in Herefordshire, was awarded two A*s and an A and will be taking a gap year before heading to the University of Bristol to read Veterinary Science.

She was captain of the hockey team and works at Drybridge Vets in Monmouth every other Saturday to gain valuable experience.

And Elin Meek, from Monmouth, registered two A*s and an A to take up Marine Biology at University of Plymouth.

Rosie Badley, from Welsh Newton Common, was also among the top achievers, securing two A*s and an A to study Modern Foreign Languages at the University of Bristol.

Acting Head at Monmouth School for Girls, Mr Tom Arrand, said: “It is a huge relief when the hard work of pupils pays off and the girls achieve their personal best.

“I also want to thank the dedication and hard work of the teaching staff.

“45.7 per cent of all grades were A* to A which was above and beyond the national average of 26.4 per cent and is testament to the hard work and passion of our staff and pupils.

“Such a solid percentage of A* to A grades means that most of our students’ expectations have been met or exceeded.

“Despite the new and more rigorous A-level examinations being sat, we have also seen an increase in the number of A*s achieved this year.”

Mr Arrand added: “We are very pleased that 100 per cent of our students achieved an A grade in the advanced extended project qualification (EPQ) which is taken in addition to A-levels.”

Students at Monmouth Comprehensive School have achieved a superb set of results in their post-16 examination courses. Nearly 140 students were entered for A-level and Vocational Courses in Year 13 and swept the board with an impressive 99 per cent pass rate, of which 40 per cent achieved the very top grades of A* to A (nationally 26.3 per cent) and nearly 90 per cent of all grades were at A* to C. The overwhelming majority of students have secured their future pathway and are preparing to take the next steps in leading their lives.

Countless courses achieved impressive results such as Further Mathematics, where 100 per cent of students entered achieved A*!

Students also sat the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate. The qualification is highly regarded by leading universities and employers because of the way it develops an important set of skills required for further study and employment. The success rate in this course was exemplary this year, with 50 per cent of grades awarded at A* and A.

A number of Year 13 students achieved the top grades across all their examination courses, including Hope Allan, Charlie Cooke, Joshua Williams, Bethan Arnell, Louis Proctor, Pippa Morgan, Carys Robbins, Lauren Smith, Ceri Jackson and Hazel Carter.

Jago Strong-Wright has secured his place at Cambridge University to study Natural Sciences and Gurpreet Bal will read Engineering at Oxford University. Josh Isted S’Jacob will take a vocational Degree Apprenticeship in Engineering at Exeter University. Emma Johnston and Alice Glen will study Medicine and Sioned Roberts goes on to study Nursing.

The Director of Sixth Form Studies, Mrs Caroline Guest, who leads on learning for all in the Sixth Form, paid tribute to the hard work of students and staff. “I am so delighted for our students. We provide a wide curriculum offer to meet the needs and enthusiasms of as many students as we can.

Headteacher, Mr Davies, praised the work of students, parents and staff in achieving such excellent results. Mr Davies said, “Congratulations to all students. Teaching is a humbling and privileged profession. To be able to work alongside each individual student and watch them grow in confidence and ambition is such a wonderful experience.

County Councillor Richard John, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for education commented: “A-level results day is so important for our students and young people. Today I am delighted to see how well our students across all of our schools have done – these fantastic results are a real indicator of how hard the students and teachers have worked over the last two years. At this time my focus is that the young people get the qualifications they need to progress to the next stage of their adult lives, wherever that may be.

“I think it is also important that we recognise the support that our students receive from their parents and carers. They should look forward with great confidence as they start the next stages of their lives, be that in education or work.”

Will McLean, Chief Officer for Children and Young People added: “In a period of change and reform at both school and higher education institutions I am very pleased at what our schools have achieved. Our young people, their families and school staff who have supported and encouraged them for the last two years can be proud of what they have achieved. Monmouthshire’s results compare favourably with national outcomes and I know that our schools will be very pleased with this. For all of our students they have been given a tremendous foundation to go into their futures confident in what they know and confident in their abilities.”

Nationally, A-level students have been awarded the highest proportion of As and A*s since 2012.

In Wales, 26.3 per cent of students achieved A* and A grades. The overall pass rate was 97.4 per cent.

Students looking for advice, no matter what their results, are encouraged to visit the Careers Wales website on www.careerswales.com/

For more photos buy your copy of next week’s Monmouthshire Beacon, in shops on 22nd August.