STUDENTS at Wyedean School’s sixth form centre made history after they achieved the school’s best ever A-level results last Thursday (13th August).

More than 60 per cent of the grades achieved were A*, A or B which represents a 15 per cent improvement on last year’s results and is six per cent higher than Wyedean’s previous best ever results.

Headteacher Clive Pemberton said: “These excellent results are due to the massive amount of hard work put in by staff and students alike. Last year we achieved our best-ever GCSE results, and to follow those with our record A-level results this year shows a continuing positive upward trend.

“Our Year 12 students have also recorded some outstanding AS level grades, which bodes well for their performance next summer.

“This represents another huge stride for Wyedean’s sixth form and we are very proud of the high standards we have achieved.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in this tremendous achievement.”

Results day was particularly special for headteacher Clive Pemberton who will be retiring from Wyedean after 10 years at the school. He said: “With our highest GCSE achievements last year and the best A-level grades this year, this was a nice way to end.”

Daisy Wingrove received an A and two Bs and is off to Bath Spa University to study Psychology.

She said: “Waiting for results day was so stressful, a group of us went to the cinema last night to take our minds off it.

“I did a lot of studying leading up to my exams and I’m pleased with my results.”

Student Esther Amankwah received the highest grades at the school after racking up an impressive four As in geography, psychology, English and media studies.

“I checked online this morning before coming to collect my results so I knew I’d been accepted at Birmingham University.

“I was just curious as to what I had. I’m really happy.”

Nicole Rhodes received three As and is heading off to study cognitive neuroscience at Manchester University. Her mother Carole Rhodes who came with her daughter to pick up her results was very pleased. She said: “I’m extremely proud of her. She’s a model student and has worked incredibly hard.”

Over at Caldicot School, pupils were up bright and early to celebrate their achievements on results day.

The school saw a rise in the percentage of students achieving the top grades for the second year running.

Two students from Caldicot will go on to study at Oxford - Alisha Smith will read psychology and Luke Konstanjsek will read maths. Emphasising the amount of hard work put in, Luke said: “I was revising for eight or nine hours a day leading up to my exams. I had to give up on my social life completely!”

Deputy headteacher Simon Rees was understandably thrilled with the school’s results.

“This set of results is the culmination of a determined effort by the students, staff and parents and is a reward for two years of hard work”

“We send our Oxford interviewees to Christ College Brecon which helps them prepare in a different environment before their interviews. It’s really helpful, and its good that we can support the students in that way.”

Among the school’s other star pupils were Natalie Bains, Sophie Jenkins, and Jasmine Telang who all got their first choice of university, with 4 A*s between them.

Peter Nurcombe Chair of Governors “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.”

Sixth form students at Chepstow School achieved record A-level results with a third of students achieving grades ABB or better- the universities’ indicator of top achieving students- and 10 per-cent of students achieving three A* grades or better.

Claire Price, head teacher, said “These are excellent results. I am so proud that these young people have achieved the results that they deserve.

“We will miss them greatly, but look forward to hearing of their even greater successes in the future.”

Particularly impressive were students Greg Townsend and Ben Welding, the latter travelling in his brother’s footsteps to Oxford later this year to study Chemistry. He said: “It was pretty hard work, but the teachers were there to guide us all the way,” he said. “I enjoyed Chemistry the most, so I decided to choose that.”

Catrin Cameron-Evans explained the difficulties of revision, after achieving a place at Bath to study Politics and International Studies. “I didn’t have a social life for ages, I just spent most of my time doing mind maps for every subject. It was all pretty intense, and I didn’t get much sleep. I’m just so proud of everyone”

Birthday girl Caz Walsh had cause for celebration, having her place to read psychology at Cardiff confirmed on the same day as her 18th birthday. “I haven’t had much chance to think about my birthday yet, I haven’t even opened my cards! My Mum was awake for hours before me waiting to hear if I’d got in, its such a relief. I’m really pleased. My psychology teachers were really helpful and so supportive.”

BTEC students also achieved incredibly highly, with many achieving three distinction star grades, the equivalent of three A* grades. These include Chelsea Cook, who has already secured employment and Rebecca Freeman and Leah Randall who are studying sport at Cardiff University.

Craig Bridgeman, chair of governors said “the A-level results reflect the hard work and dedication of the students and staff at the school. Over the past four years the achievements of the young people at our school have increased greatly, and I am proud that our young people at our school have increased greatly, and I am proud that our young people are able to enter the next stage of their lives fully equipped with all they need to succeed. This ever improving result is tangible evidence that our strategic improving plan is yielding value for our young learners. I am really looking forward to next week’s GCSE results and the new school year, as we welcome our highest intake for many years. A big well done to our students and staff from the Governors.”

All of Chepstow’s students leave having secured a college place, apprenticeship or employment, with 75 per-cent securing a university place.

For the full spread of A-level pictures, see Page 2 of this week’s Beacon. Pictures can be purchased from the ’buy photos’ section of this website.