Thousands of young people across Wales are receiving their GCSE, Welsh Baccalaureate and vocational qualification results today, as the country continues the major transition to a new generation of qualifications.

The proportion of GCSE entries receiving the top A* and A grades has risen slightly this year, increasing by 0.1 percentage points to 19.6%.

Meanwhile, 62.3% of entries achieved grades at C or above.

However, the overall pass rate across Wales has fallen slightly compared with last year.

The results come a year into a three-year rollout of new GCSE qualifications designed to reflect the changes introduced through the Curriculum for Wales.

A second wave of new GCSEs is due to be introduced in September, meaning the qualification reforms are continuing to be phased in.

Before today's results were released, exam officials had indicated that learners and schools could expect a broadly stable set of results as the new qualifications were introduced.

Wales' main examination board, WJEC, said it had done everything possible to ensure this year's results were fair and balanced for learners.

The changes to qualifications mean direct comparisons with previous years can be difficult, with different subjects and specifications being introduced at different stages.

The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, congratulated learners receiving their results and said their grades should not define their future.

Speaking during a visit to Llanishen High School in Cardiff, she said there were many opportunities available to young people, whether they were moving into further education, apprenticeships or employment.

She also thanked teachers and education staff for the support they had provided to learners throughout their school years.

Across North Wales, councils have also been offering their congratulations to pupils, while recognising the work of families, teachers and school staff.

Conwy County Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Aaron Wynne, congratulated pupils on their achievements and praised the hard work, commitment and resilience they had shown.

He said whatever route young people choose next – including sixth form, college, apprenticeships or employment – he wished them every success as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

In Denbighshire, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, Cllr Diane King, also congratulated pupils receiving their results.

She said the grades would help shape young people's next steps in education and paid tribute to school staff for their dedication and commitment.

The results are particularly significant for pupils who have spent much of their secondary education experiencing changes to the Welsh curriculum and qualifications.

The new GCSEs are intended to support the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales, with greater emphasis on areas including skills, knowledge, literacy, numeracy and digital competence.

For pupils who are disappointed with their results, education and careers services are available to help them consider their options.

The Welsh Government says support is available through schools, Working Wales and Careers Wales, with routes into further education, training, apprenticeships and employment available.

For those celebrating, today's results mark the end of one stage of education and the beginning of another.

And while the national figures show only modest changes in the headline grades, for individual pupils the results represent years of work, preparation and perseverance.

Photo: Ysgol John Bright, Llandudno.