Schools and pupils praised as county exam results beat Wales average

Members of the county council’s learning communities overview and scrutiny committee were presented with the provisional data for GCSE and A Level results this year at its meeting on Thursday (September 29).

The results show that when it comes to GCSEs 28.1 per cent of pupils achieved grades A* to A, compared to the Wales percentage of 25.1 per cent, while those achieving A* to C was at 77.1 per cent in Ceredigion compared to 68.6 per cent.

Director of education Meinir Ebbsworth said “data is only part of the story” and there were pupils who had done exceptionally well in achieving their grades, whether they were at the higher or lower end of the scale.

Many also undertook more vocational qualifications and it all contributed to their future success, the committee heard.

“The basis for these results have been set in the primary sector and I thank the pupils as well for their commitment during this difficult period and I’d like tot hank our schools as well,” said Mrs Ebbsworth.

This was the first set of examinations taken in schools since the pandemic, members were reminded.

Cllr Marc Davies added: “We teach them so well and then they go off to university and may well not come back, that is a great shame.”

Overall pass grades of A* to G in Ceredigion was at 98.7 per cent, again above the Wales figures of 97.3 per cent, with analysis indicating that the county is on par when it comes to Welsh as first language and above the national results in English and maths.

Similarly, A Level results indicate that those achieving A* to A was at 42.1 per cent in Ceredigion and 40.9 per cent in Wales, for grades A* to B it was 70.2 per cent locally and 52 per cent nationally, while at A* to C there was a 89.2 per cent achievement compared to 76.3 per cent.

For overall grades A* to E 98.4 per cent of pupils in Ceredigion achieved, compared to 97.6 per cent.