GCSE results day: Grades from Conwy schools for 2019

Pupils in Conwy have enjoyed a big rise in the numbers passing  their GCSEs.
The figures for the county show pupils performed above the Welsh national average on A*-G grades, and the overall pass rate for A* has risen, with overall pass rates increasing to 97.3%.
Cllr Julie Fallon, Conwy’s cabinet member for education, said: “Congratulations to Conwy’s learners on their GCSE results, and a big thank you to all the teachers, parents and carers for supporting and encouraging our young people.
“Students across the county have performed well and GCSE overall pass rates have increased to 97.3%.
“We also celebrate the achievements of students taking other examinations, including vocational courses and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
“I wish all our students the very best of luck as they move forward in education, training and careers.”
Pupils at Llandudno’s Ysgol John Bright enjoyed a bumper crop of good results.
Year 11 head boy Bradley Hughes was voted the most likely to be prime minister by his fellow students, and got 14 A* and A grades at GCSE.
He was among a number of success stories for the school, which saw a 10% improvement on last year’s results with nearly a quarter of pupils getting five A* or A grades.
Headteacher Ann Webb said: “That’s a strong figure and significantly up on last year. It’s more than a fifth of over 200 of our young people.
“We’ve also seen results in English and Maths improve by 10%, so overall it’s a much improved performance and we are seeing the fruits of the school’s improvement strategy.
“It didn’t surprise us and we were very clear when the Estyn inspectors came
here that this is what they would see. It’s good to be vindicated.”
Dave Humphreys, headteacher at Old Colwyn’s Ysgol Bryn Elian, was proud that all students are leaving Year 11 with at least five GCSEs.
He said: “Yet again, the school has achieved results of a very pleasing standard. We are very proud of all the young people who have worked so hard and tirelessly.”
Lee Cummins, headteacher of Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan in Abergele, also welcomed the success of his pupils in their exams.
“I am delighted with the increasing success of our learners to achieve such good GCSE results across a range of traditional and vocational subjects,” he said.
“This is very good news for our learners and everyone associated with the school. Learners of all abilities have achieved the results they deserve through hard work and commitment.
“For the third year running, the number of learners leaving with five A*-A has increased.”
Results for Rydal Penrhos School showed that 36.1% of all final marks were A*-A, with the number of pupils achieving A*-C grades recorded at 91.6%.
Sarah Sutton, headteacher at Ysgol Eirias, said: “I am incredibly proud of these excellent results. The students and staff of Ysgol Eirias have worked tirelessly in collaboration over the last two years towards their qualifications. They deserve the success they have reaped this week.”
Penrhyn Bay’s Ysgol y Creuddyn celebrated all of its students achieving five or more GCSE grades.
Trefor Jones, the school’s headteacher, said: “It’s so encouraging to see that their hard work and perseverance, as well as the tireless dedication of our staff, has paid off once again, therefore maintaining excellent GCSE results at Ysgol y Creuddyn. All the best to the young people on the next stage of their journey.”

By Shane Brennan – Local Democracy Reporter