GCSE students in our area were celebrating yesterday (Thursday) after picking up some of the best ever examination results. In Pembrokeshire, secondary schools have maintained the pleasing improvements of recent years with an A* - C pass rate of over 60 per cent for the third consecutive year. When comparing the WJEC results overall, Pembrokeshire schools have an A* - C pass rate of 63.1 per cent, which is another increase on last year and above the Welsh average of 62.3 per cent again. Pembrokeshire's overall pass rate (A* - G) is 98 per cent, maintaining improvements made over the last five years. This is in line with the Welsh pass rate of 98.1 per cent. The percentage of candidates achieving A* and A grades in Pembrokeshire was 18.6 per cent, above the Welsh average of 18.3 per cent, and maintaining the substantial improvements in recent years. "This is a very pleasing set of results", said Gareth Mills, Pembrokeshire County Council change manager. "Pembrokeshire WJEC results continue to maintain the significant increases made in recent years. "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, said: "I would like to congratulate this year's students who have worked extremely hard over the last two years to achieve these results. "Their success is due to their own commitment, and the dedication of the staff. I would like to thank them all and wish these youngsters every success in the future. "Education is, and always has been, one of the county council's top priorities, and the results show that this commitment is paying dividends," he added.

best ever results

Headteacher at Tenby's Greenhill School, Mr. Chris Noble, was "over the moon" with the results announced yesterday (Thursday). "We have had the best ever results," he said. "Sixty- seven per cent of our students gained five of more A* - C grades, which was 11 per cent better than last year," he continued. "Across the board, the results are excellent and we have had nine students who have gained A* and A grades in all subjects." They were Carys Bromby, Tessa Burke, Alex Challinor, Charlotte Gyseman, Jenny Hall, Dickon Morris, Andrew Stretton, Sita Thomas and Matthew Watkins. "All our students have done very well and the outcome means that we are likely to have a huge intake into the sixth form, possibly the highest we have ever had," Mr. Noble said. "This year's Year 11 have been outstanding, very positive and hard-working throughout," added Mr. Noble, who also praised the work of the teachers and support of students' parents. At Whitland's Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, the school also achieved its most successful results. The percentage of students gaining five A* - C grades was 69.4, with 96.1 per cent achieving 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 with these results," said headteacher, Mr. Robert Newsome. "Whilst the vast majority have achieved their potential, the following results show the depth of talent at Dyffryn Taf School - Rhys Thomas (nine A*s, one A), Jamie Young (six A*s, 3As, one B), Lizzie Powell (five A*s, 4As, one B and one C), Natasha Wilson (four A*s, four As, two Bs), and Jenny Hawkins (four A*s, four As, one B and two Cs). Indeed, students across Carmarthenshire have achieved higher than the Welsh average results in their GCSEs. As in last week's A level results, the total percentages for all GCSE subjects for grades A*- C, and overall passes, have surpassed the Welsh averages, and in doing so, have continued to maintain or improve on the considerable achievements of previous years. Education chiefs say that the figures for the county show that last year's very high standards have been effectively maintained. More than half the subjects sat by students in Carmarthenshire show an improved percentage achieving A* - C grades, and almost a third of subjects show an improved percentage achieving A* - G grades. Education and children's services executive board member, Clr. Ieuan G. Jones, said: "I am once again delighted with the results and offer my earnest congratulations to the pupils and staff on their success. "It is pleasing that in this year's A level and GCSE examinations Carmarthenshire pupils have distinguished themselves by achieving grades above the Welsh averages and have maintained the high standards achieved by fellow pupils in previous years."