STUDENTS across Wrexham are celebrating after getting their GCSE results.
Teenagers across the county borough nervously opened their results on Thursday.
This year, pupils sat formal examinations for the first time since pre Covid-19, and they have been praised for their resilience and motivation to succeed.
Councillor Phil Wynn, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Education said: “Every pupil receiving their GCSE results today should be proud of their achievements.
“I wish you all well as you head on to further education, work or training.”
A school-by-school roundup of the results is as follows:
Darland High School, Rossett
Students and staff are celebrating record breaking GCSE success. The school has outperformed previous records as changes made over the last three years pay off.
These are the first set of examination results under the new leadership of Joanne Lee, and they see the school’s performance soar.
Assistant Headteacher, Stewart Roberts, said: “Our students have achieved incredible results, we are so proud of them. The obstacles and uncertainties of the last two years have put undue pressure on them.
“They are a credit to themselves and their families, the work and effort we have seen over the last two years means they thoroughly deserve these excellent results.”
Students were supported throughout the year with afterschool and holiday revision sessions, which now have proved fruitful.
Dewi Owens-Jones, Associate Assistant Headteacher and a member of the maths team, praised the commitment of students who turned up to these sessions week after week throughout the year. “The dedication shown by our students has impressed me, they have had so much to contend with yet they chose to spend hours in afterschool sessions to secure the grades they wanted. I take my hat off to them. They deserve the grades they have achieved”.
Rhosnesni High School
Despite being placed in special measures just last month, staff and students celebrated the school's best ever results.
Headteacher, Andy Brant, said proudly, "Despite the disruption and uncertainty of the past two and a half years, our Year 11 cohort has achieved the highest outcomes we have ever witnessed.
"28 students gained at least 5 A* or A grades, with an unprecedented 31 A* in mathematics. More youngsters achieved an A*- C grade in English Language than at any point in our history."
In addition to praising his students, Mr Brant thanked his colleagues and Rhosnesni parents for their hard work, commitment and belief.
"Youngsters cannot earn results of this quality without exceptional teachers and incredibly supportive parent," he saidl.
"We applaud our Year 11 learners and all those who have contributed to their record-breaking achievements."
The Maelor School, Penley
The school is celebrating outstanding GCSE results which are amongst the best in Wales.
In the first set of examinations in three years, record numbers of pupils achieved A*-C grades and there was a sizeable increase in the number of pupils achieving more than five A* and A grades.
Simon Ellis, headteacher, said: “We have always had a reputation for performing well, but these results are outstanding. Having battled through the difficulties of online learning and pandemic closures, this year group have shown tremendous dedication to their studies. I am so pleased to see them achieve their potential with record numbers joining our successful sixth form for a further two years.”
Ysgol Rhiwabon (Ruabon)
Despite the challenges of the last couple of years, Year 11 students have achieved an "amazing" set of results and the school is "delighted" for them.
They have improved on the last set of formal examination results pre-pandemic, with an increased number of students securing the highest grades A*/A across all their subjects.
Melanie Ferron-Evans, headteacher, said: “This cohort has worked very hard to secure success in challenging circumstances and we are very proud of them.
"Staff deserve a special mention for working tirelessly to support and secure this success. On behalf of the school and the Governing Body, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, students and parents for their contribution to the incredible amount of hard work and dedication shown across a wide range of studies."
Ysgol Clywedog
The school said it is celebrating "fantastic results" this year.
Seven students achieved seven or more A/A* grades, including Libby Cole - who also spent time in Tanzania on a marine conservation project. She funded the trip herself by setting up her own online jewellery and gifts business.
Alberto Otero, headteacher, said: "For Libby and the other students that have done so well, I would like to thank their parents for their support and encouragement, as well as our dedicated teachers and support staff."
Ysgol Bryn Alyn, Gwersyllt
The school said it is "delighted" with "yet another fantastic set of qualifications" for the Class of 2022.
Over two thirds of pupils obtained higher-grade passes in Mathematics, English and Science qualifications with nearly a fifth of the pupils achieving the highest grades.
As a school they are particularly delighted with strong performances in Chemistry, Business Studies, Dance and Drama including exceptional performances in Spanish, Music and History.
Headteacher, Adele Slinn, said: "We are so very proud of all of our students. They deserve this fabulous set of results which is clear recognition of the phenomenal effort that they have put in.
"As usual, our dedicated staff at Ysgol Bryn Alyn have gone above and beyond to support our pupils to achieve the best that they can. Today will be a day of happiness and satisfaction for our students and we wish them every success in their futures."
Ysgol y Grango, Rhos
After an extraordinary final two years were interrupted by lockdowns and isolation, the students were rewarded for their hard work over the past five years.
Headteacher, Stephen Garthwaite, said: ‘This has been an incredibly challenging Key Stage 4 for the students. They have overcome so many obstacles to achieve their results and I am proud of the way in which they have overcome the pressures and challenges they have faced.
"Their determination to face difficulties head on demonstrates outstanding resilience and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. We are extremely proud of all of our students and their outstanding achievements, both personal and academic. They have been a real credit to the school and it is wonderful to see them rewarded for their efforts."
There were a number of noteworthy individual performances amongst the overall results, including Phoebe Englefield, Rhys Owens, Imogen Richards, Ocea Richards, Seren Williams and Lydia Young, who achieved an outstanding number of A* and A grades between them.
Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen
Students at Ysgol Dinas Brân have today received their GCSE results after what staff describe as "an extremely difficult time" for all of the students taking external exams for the first time.
A school spokesperson said: "We are extremely proud of all of the students who have all found it tough, but it is fantastic to see the hard work has paid off.
"We are pleased with the results, with nearly 25% of the grades being A*/A. A good number of students received all A*/A, and we are incredibly proud of so many students who achieved their target grades or higher.
"I would like to thank all the staff and parents for their great support for the students. Well done everyone."
Ysgol Morgan Llwyd
The school said this year's group "worked tirelessly" throughout the last two very challenging years and has secured "outstanding" results.
A fifth of the cohort achieved 5 or more A*/A, nearly a quarter of the cohort achieved at least 3 A*/A with three of our students achieving 35 A*/A between them.
Catrin Pritchard, headteacher, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our year 11 students, their parents for their unfaltering support and of course our dedicated team of staff."
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