The percentage of pupils who have passed Advance and AS-Level examinations in Pembrokeshire's secondary schools has remained stable and above the national average.

The overall Pembrokeshire pass rate at A-Level was 98.7 per cent compared with the Wales national average of 97.6 per cent. The percentage of pupils gaining A* and A grades in Pembrokeshire was 18.4 per cent compared to a Welsh average of 23.6 per cent. The overall Pembrokeshire pass rate at AS-Level this year was 87.3 per cent compared to a national average of 86.4 per cent.

Pembrokeshire County Council's head of school effectiveness, Martin Lloyd, said: "Our students can be proud of their results. The range of courses available through the Federation and partnership working between post-16 institutions has increased the relevance of the curriculum and resulted in greater motivation on behalf of the students.

"It is pleasing that a significant number of our young people have been successful at such a demanding level. Students and their teachers are better prepared for these examinations than ever before and their performance has increased as a result.

"The majority of these students will now be able to progress to their higher education and degree courses."

Clr. Huw George, cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, added: "We are pleased with the overall results and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the students on their successes and thank them for their hard work in preparing so thoroughly for the examinations.

"I'd like to acknowledge the dedication of the teachers in a time of increased expectations. The continued positive results reflect the joint commitment of all education institutions and local authority staff in ensuring that young people are afforded every opportunity to achieve their full potential.

"I'd also like to acknowledge the support received from the students' families. This is an important day for the young people who received their results today and I wish all of them well for the future."

Greenhill 'really pleased'

Head of Tenby's Greenhill School, Jan Kingston, said the school was 'really pleased' with this year's results.

"At A-Level, we are delighted that our students have produced our best ever performance in A*-A grades, with 42 per cent achieving this!" she said.

"Over threequarters of the cohort (77 per cent) achieved A*-C passes, down slightly from last year, but a very strong performance compared to our results over the past five years," she continued.

"Forty-nine per cent of the A* and A grades went to the girls, with straight A* and As in all subjects achieved by Constance Lesnianski, Emilia Belli, Georgia Thomas, Alice Simon, Lucinda Perrett, Rosie Brace and Angharad Thomas.

"We also have an unprecedented number of students attaining places at colleges in both Oxford and Cambridge!

"Overall we had a 98 per cent pass rate at A*-E Level, so congratulations to all - we wish you continued success in the future!"

Mrs. Kingston added: "We are equally delighted at the performance of our Year 12 students at AS-Level, with an overall pass rate of 82 per cent, with 54 per cent of the results at A-C grades.

"The boys are clearly fighting back - this was their best performance since 2007!

"Again we congratulate our students who gained straight A grades - James Lloyd, Morgan Thomas, Fran Webster and Sam Hunter-Baxter. This was a double achievement for Sam, who also achieved A* in full maths A-Level, along with Tom Liu, who gained A grade in full A-Level maths too - well done both!

"Well done and congratulations to all our students and staff for their hard work this academic year."

TENBY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTRE

Once again students attending A level English classes at Tenby Community Learning Centre have achieved excellent results in the recent examinations and as a result several are progressing on to college courses. Congratulations are extended to Joanne Elliott, Sophie Greer, Ben Howarth, Sharon Jenkins and Helen Morris.

A special thank you to tutor Lindsay Oeppen for all her encouragement and support in helping these students realise their potential.

If you are interested in studying for an A or AS in English Literature this autumn, please contact the centre on 01834 843297 or visit their web site.http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/learningpembrokeshire">www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/learningpembrokeshire