The Year 11 students overcame Covid-related disruption to their learning, including online lessons, and adapted impressively.

This year’s results include letter and number gradings with a 9 considered to be a top A*, an 8 an A*, a 7 the equivalent of an A grade and a 4 the equivalent of a C grade pass.

At Monmouth School for Boys, 22.87% of all grades awarded were the top grade, 9.Nearly two thirds of grades (64.27%) were 7, 8 or 9, or A*/A – more than double the average in Wales of 22.8% and the UK national average of 26.3%.

These are stronger results than in 2019, the last year in which GCSEs exams were taken before the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 16 boys achieved a clean sweep of grades 7-9, or A*/A.

Academic scholar, Oliver Lloyd, from Monmouth, secured an A*, eight grade 9s and two grade 7s and will study History, Chemistry and Latin at A level.

William Lewis, from Chepstow, also an academic scholar, achieved eight grade 9s/A*s, an 8 and a 7. He intends to take Chemistry, Maths and Biology at A level.

Alexander Hicks, from Monmouth, also an academic scholar, recorded an A*, six 9s and three 8s and will study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A level.

Miles Taylor, from Ross-on-Wye, an academic and music scholar, was awarded eight grade 9s, two 8s and a 7 and will study Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics.

“I am very pleased with my results and, although I did work hard for my exams, I was nervous in the lead-up to receiving them,” said Miles.

Logan Williams, from Abergavenny, achieved an A*, six 9s and three 8s and will study History, Latin and Religious Studies.

Anderson Khan, from Raglan, was awarded an A*, seven 9s and to 7s and will study Chemistry, History and Biology.

Thomas Hodkinson, from Chepstow, who achieved a clean sweep of grades 7-9, or A*/A , cut his holiday in Germany short to return to school to pick up his exam results.

“I have been on holiday near Hannover, but I wanted to come into school to physically collect my exam results,” he said.

“I didn’t know my results until I got to school but I am very pleased with them, and it was definitely worth cutting my holiday short for.”

A keen musician and member of the Model United Nations club, Thomas will be studying German, Latin and History at A level.

Other boys who achieved a clean sweep of grades 7-9, or A*/A were Alfie Baillie, William Bate, Kieran Bladen, Dylan Carter, Samuel Chamberlain, Harry Fernandez-Ford, Jack Gadd, Benjamin Holley, Will Jenkins, Sulaiman Qalandari, Max Spencer, Ridwan Yusuf and Ethan Lee, who only arrived in Monmouth from Hong Kong last September.

Headmaster at Monmouth School for Boys, Mr Simon Dorman, said: "I am delighted with the results of our Year 11 boys, which are the culmination of years of hard work by the boys and the brilliant support of our dedicated teaching staff.

“The boys have had to contend with Covid-relation disruption to their learning, including two terms of online lessons, and adapted incredibly well to these challenges.

“They are a talented and resilient group of young men, who are now well equipped to tackle their Sixth Form courses. We are very proud of them and look forward to seeing them thrive in our co-educational Sixth Form.”

At Monmouth School for Girls, more than half of all grades awarded were at 7/A or above.

Tabitha Prosser-Wrench, from Crickhowell, achieved 10 9s and one A and is now planning to study Biology, Chemistry and Maths A level.

Ada Liu recorded 10 9s and a Distinction in Further Maths and will be studying Chemistry, Geography and Maths at A level.

Devauden’s Holly Walker achieved eight 9s and one A and Lily Down, who lives near Ross-on-Wye, also shone, recording nine 9s and one A.

Daniela Waters, from Chepstow, achieved a full set of results at 7/A or above. Daniela is now planning to take A levels in Physics, Maths and English as she works towards a future career in engineering.

Other girls who recorded a full set of results at 7/A or above were Mirin Baysting, Georgia Carpenter, Isabel Harrison, Keanie Lam, Alexandra Mount, Anna Markevica, Nell Sampson, Laura Simmons, Elspeth Smith and Annie Taylor.

Eleanor Moore, who lives near Ross-on-Wye, achieved two 9s, three 8s an A and three 7s among her results and is hoping to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science at A level.

“I am very excited about going into the Sixth Form,” said Eleanor, a talented musician.

“I would like a career based on Computer Science with Cyber Security and I can’t wait to get started on my A levels.”

Headmistress at Monmouth School for Girls, Mrs Jessica Miles, said: “I am extremely proud of what our Year 11 students have achieved.

“The normal rhythm of their school life was taken away from them when they were approaching their final term in Year 9, and they had to hit the ground running in Year 11.

“They have faced up to the disruptions and challenges along the way, supported by our excellent academic and pastoral staff.

“Alongside their academic achievements, our Year 11 students contributed brilliantly to the wider life of the school, whether it be through music, sport, or fund-raising for a myriad of causes.

“Our students now turn their thoughts to the start of their A level courses and I am very much looking forward to seeing them flourish in our Sixth Form from September.”