GCSE results in Pembrokeshire maintained their high levels of recent years with an A*-C pass rate of 65.6 per cent, which continues to be above the Wales average.

Pembrokeshire's overall pass rate (A*-G) is 98.7 per cent, maintaining improvements made over the last five years. This is above the Welsh pass rate of 98.5 per cent.

The percentage of candidates achieving A* and A grades in Pembrokeshire was 19 per cent, in line with the Welsh average (18.9 per cent). This maintains the substantial improvements in recent years.

Pembrokeshire County Clr. Huw George, cabinet member for children, young people, learning and Welsh language, said: "I would like to congratulate this year's students who have worked extremely hard to achieve these results.

"Their success is due to the commitment of both students and staff. I would like to thank them all and wish these youngsters every success in the future."

Gareth Mills, Pembrokeshire County Council's change manager, described them as 'a very pleasing set of results'.

"WJEC results continue to maintain the high level of achievement in Pembrokeshire" he said.

"Most pleasing is the performance in the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Welsh in Pembrokeshire, which lay a firm foundation for many youngsters to progress onto post-16 education and training."

Greenhill School

At Tenby's Greenhill School, headteacher Chris Noble reported that overall, 70 per cent of students attained level two (five GCSE (A*-C grades, including vocational qualifications).

"They are very good results and we are very pleased," commented Mr. Noble, who is retiring from the school.

Dyffryn Taf

Ysgol Dyffryn Taf also achieved positive results, with 60.8 per cent of pupils gaining five A*-C grades and 98 per cent gaining five A*-G grades.

"We feel that the partnership between pupils, parents and teachers has contributed to this success and that the dedicated effort by pupils has been justifiably rewarded," said Mr. Robert Newsome, headteacher.

"Whilst the vast majority of pupils have achieved their potential, the following results show the depth of talent at Dyffryn Taf School: Cate Davey - 10 A*s, Harry Klind 10 A*s and one A, Josephine Maidment 10 A*s and one A, and Rachel Allan seven A*s and four As.

COMMUNITY LEARNING

A record number of learners (39) from Tenby and Pembroke Dock Community Learning Centres were entered this year for GCSE English Language Literature and Maths. Once again the results have been excellent, with a 100 per cent success rate. In English Language, the percentage gaining grades A-C was 87 per cent, for Literature it was 100 per cent, Mathematics higher tier 72 per cent and foundation 68 per cent.

Well above the national average, these results are remarkable when one realises they have been achieved with just 60 hours of tuition and are testimony to the hard work of the learners and the dedication of their tutors.

Congratulations are extended to all the students on their success, but special mention must be made of Svetlana Neary, who gained A* for her Maths higher tier. She had 100 per cent in paper 1 and only lost four marks on the second. Congratulations also to Tracy Scotcher on her grade A Maths; and Victoria Gibbins, Margaret Hughes, Julien Miles and David Thomas who gained grade A for English Language.

Julien Miles is to be congratulated on being successful in all the exams he took. He studied English and Maths at Pembroke Dock Community Learning Centre and did Physics by distance learning, taking the examination at Pembroke Dock centre. It's not easy to study for one examination when you are working full time, so to pass all three is a remarkable achievement.

Thanks are extended to tutors, Ben Barraclough, Scott Hammond, Lindsay Radion and Lesley Rotchford for all their support and hard work.

Learning Pembrokeshire provides opportunities for those who want to improve their academic qualifications to go on to higher education or improve their job prospects. The programme for this year is available now from local Community Learning Centres, post offices, supermarkets, doctors' surgeries and libraries. Advice on courses can be obtained by ringing 01834 843297 or 01646 682668. From September 7 - 11, there will also be advisers available to talk to at Pembroke Dock Job Centre Plus.

Next week's Observer will include details of classes being held in Tenby and Narberth.

Netherwood School

At Netherwood School, Saundersfoot, the average result (A*-C) grades was 9.5 per student.

"Special congratulations to Johnny Delahunty and Rebecca Morgan who each had 11 GCSEs," said principal Huw Morris.

"We also had 100 per cent passes in 10 subject areas and as a matter of interest, our worst result was eight GCSE result passes."