GCSE results in Pembrokeshire's secondary schools have maintained the pleasing improvements of recent years, with an A* - C pass rate of over 60 per cent for the fourth consecutive year. When comparing the WJEC results overall, Pembrokeshire schools have an A* - C pass rate of 63.5 per cent which is another increase on last year and above the Welsh average of 63 per cent. Pembrokeshire's overall pass rate (A* - G) is 98.4 per cent, maintaining improvements made over the last five years. This is above the Welsh pass rate of 98 per cent. The percentage of candidates achieving A* and A grades in Pembrokeshire was 18.3 per cent, in line with the Welsh average. This maintains the substantial improvements in recent years. "Pembrokeshire WJEC results continue to maintain the significant increases made in recent years," said Gareth Mills, Pembrokeshire County Council change manager. "Most pleasing is the continued improvement in the core subjects of English, maths, science and Welsh in Pembrokeshire, which are all above the Welsh average at A*- C grade." Clr. Islwyn Howells, cabinet member for children, young people and Welsh language, praised this year's GCSE students, who he said had worked 'extremely hard' over the last two years. "Their success is due to the commitment of both students and staff. I would like to congratulate them and wish the students every success in the future. "Education is - and always has - been one of the county council's top priorities and the results show that commitment is paying dividends," he added.

GREENHILL THRILLED

At Tenby's Greenhill School, deputy head Roger Scholfield said the school was "absolutely thrilled" with their GCSE results. "Year 11 students did exceedingly well in their GCSE examinations," said Mr. Scholfield. He continued: "Of all the entries, 69 per cent attained grades A* - C and three students got As or A*s in everything they were entered for. There was a large number of students who attained the higher grades A*s, As and Bs. "The students were highly delighted with their achievements and we are looking forward to a very good calibre of students coming back into the lower sixth form in September as a result." Mr. Scholfield added: "Once again our results were fantastic and it is a fitting reward for all the hard work the students and their subject teachers put in over the past academic year, as well as the sound advice the students received from their form tutors and head of year, Dr. Robert Hillier."

WHITLAND SUCCESS

It was also an upbeat story at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf School, Whitland, where the school achieved its most successful results. Seventy-two per cent of pupils gained five A* - C grades, with 98 per cent achieving five A* - G grades. "We feel the partnership between pupils, parents and teachers has contributed to ehis success and that the dedicated effort by pupils has been justifiably rewarded," said Mr. Robert Newsome, headteacher. "Whilst the vast majority have achieved their potential, the following results show the depth of talent at Dyffryn Taf School: Matthew Elms (seven A*s and 3 As); David Burger (seven A*s, two As and one C); Ceri Eynon (four A*s, three As and three Bs); Daisy Hodson (six A*s, three As and one B): Charlotte Hosking (two A*s, seven As, and one B); Katie John (five A*s, four As and one B); Emily Mitchell (seven A*s, two As and one B); Laura Powell (four A*s, five As and one B); Cerys Stranger (five A*s, four As and one C); Bethany Webster (three A*s, five As and two Bs)."