The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, has congratulated GCSE students on their results, as overall performance across Wales has improved.

This summer’s results marks the end of the significant GCSE reform journey undertaken in Wales.

The last seven of reformed GCSE subjects are awarded this year including History, Computer Science and Welsh Second Language.

The main figures from today’s provisional results include:

· Overall performance has increased: 62.8% achieving A*-C overall (up 1.2% points)

· A*- A pass rate remained stable at 18.4%

· The percentage of pupils gaining A*-A and A*-C grades in all individual sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) has risen

· The number of pupils who sat GCSE English Literature has increased by 22.8%, with over 2,800 more achieving A*-C grades compared with 2018

· 58.1% of students achieved grade A*-C in GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy, and 59% achieved grade A*-C for GCSE Mathematics (the outcome obtained by 16 year olds, as set out by the JCQ)

This is the first year pupils are taking the new Welsh Second Language GCSE following removal of the short course option. While more challenging, the rise in entry numbers has resulted in a 12.5% increase of learners attaining an A*-C in the full course qualification.

This year, an additional 1,500 learners sat GCSE Science exams, building on last year’s significant increase in uptake. This continuing culture change is a consequence of the move away from blanket entries into vocational science qualifications at 16.

“Today we have seen an improvement in overall performance across Wales. I would like to congratulate all learners receiving their results today and to thank the teachers who have worked so hard to deliver these new qualifications,” said Education Minister, Kirsty Williams

“Last year we saw a dramatic increase of 50% in entries for science GCSEs. I am pleased to see that entries and results are continuing on the upward trend, with more pupils gaining A*-C and more achieving the very top grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

“This increase in learners being entered means more young people are accessing qualifications that lead to greater opportunities for further science study and careers, paving the way for the future scientists of Wales,” she added.

Greenhill School in Tenby enjoyed another morning celebrating results with their Year 11 students, nearly all of whom are now able to take their planned next step into further education or training.

“There were a number of pupils with outstanding results, too many to name individually,” said a school spokesperson.

“This contributed to Greenhill achieving our highest number of A and A* grades in recent years with more than one in every 5 result graded at this level.

“Thank you to all staff and parents who have worked so hard over the last 12 months in providing the support and guidance which is so important during such a challenging year in their lives,” they added.

Dyffryn Taf School in Whitland achieved very pleasing results in this year’s GCSE examinations the headteacher said.

“We feel that the partnership between pupils, parents or carers and teachers has contributed to this success and the dedicated effort by pupils has been justifiably rewarded,” said eadteacher Julian Kennedy.

“We are proud of the achievements of all our pupils.

“At Dyffryn Taf, we strive to offer a curriculum which meets the needs of pupils and the local and wider communities. We balance this with a focus on wider school life and the promotion of a well-rounded education which seeks to develop people as well as pupils.

“There have been significant changes to curriculum delivery in Wales and the measures used by government to judge success,” he added.

At this stage the school can confirm the following results:-

• Percentage pupils achieving 5 A* - C (on entry) - 75.19 per cent

• Percentage of pupils achieving 5 A* - C (incl. Maths/English) - 60.9 per cent

• Percentage of pupils achieving Level 2 in the WBQ Skills Challenge 92.48 per cent.Pembrokeshire County Council’s Director for Children and Schools, Kate Evan-Hughes, said: “There has been encouraging performance in our schools in a number of areas this year. Early indications are that there is an uplift in performance in literacy at Ysgol Greenhill, Milford Haven, Harri Tudur and Ysgol y Preseli, bucking the national trend. “Milford Haven School has improved its overall capped points score, as has Harri Tudur – I’m particularly pleased by this, as these schools have received the most support from the council and ERW, the regional school improvement service.“Ysgol y Preseli has achieved strong performance in all measures.”The Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Guy Woodham said: “Today is an important day for young people receiving GCSE results. “It is pleasing to see individuals achieving the outcomes they need to take the next steps in their lives, whether that is continuing with school-based learning, moving to further education, apprenticeship or employment.“We congratulate pupils and schools where individual progress has been made and continue to support schools to achieve the vision of every learner achieving more than they thought possible.”