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Remarkable A-level achievements following disruption


August 10, 2021 - 924 views

Students from across Wales have been praised for their efforts today following months of turbulance and disruption in the classroom caused by lockdowns and the pandemic.

Earlier this morning, Education Minister Jeremy Miles highlighted the achievements of students all over Wales as 2021 A, AS, VQ and Skills Challenge Certificates results are published.

The total number of A level entries in Wales this year was 35,867, an increase of 14.5% relative to 2020, reversing the decreasing A level entries since the summer of 2015, and resulting in an extra 4,500 A levels being awarded to Welsh learners this year.

Results for Wales show that 99.1% of learners achieved A* - E grades, up from 97.6% in 2019, with an increase at A* with 21.3% of candidates achieving this grade.

This year’s assessment and qualification process have been different to previous years as examinations for summer 2021 were cancelled in response to the pandemic.

A new system was designed and delivered by schools and colleges and put trust in them to draw together a range of assessment evidence on which to determine a learner’s grade. 

Jeremy Miles said, "I hope everyone who received their grades today feels immensely proud of their remarkable achievement.

"This year has been like no other and you’ve had to make many sacrifices. You have had to deal with so much disruption to your studies over the past 18 months, but have shown tremendous resilience and determination to continue your learning.

"You have also played an incredibly important role in keeping your classmates, teachers and communities safe.

"While your experiences and the way in which you have been assessed have been different, the value of these qualifications is not. You can can be sure that your grades reflect your hard work throughout this year, and you fully deserve the qualifications you receive.

"Our school and college staff have also been tremendous, working incredibly hard and under a lot of pressure to deliver and mark learners’ assessments.

"The most important thing this year is that learners are able to progress to the next stage of their education, training or their work careers.  Best of luck to you all in whatever your future holds."

Cllr Julie Fallon, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Education said “I’d like to congratulate all our young learners throughout the County on their achievements in this year’s A and AS level results. They’ve done so well and worked so hard to achieve these results.
 
A level, AS, GCSE, Skills Challenge Certificate and Welsh Baccalaureate have been awarded on the basis of Centre Assessment Grades. We feel this is in the best interest of our young people who have demonstrated significant resilience during another challenging year.

“I wish them all the best as they decide on their future careers, and I'm sure they will all join me in thanking their parents, families, our excellent teachers and support staff who have helped and supported them throughout their studies.”

An open letter from headteachers at Ysgol Eirias, Ysgol Bryn Eilian and Crueddyn praised the efforts of the students.

"We are very proud of all the hard work that our Year 13 learners have put into their A-Level work, their maturity, resilience and perseverance in the light of an unprecedented final year of education in our schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"We are delighted with their achievements and wish them all the best in their future pathways: university, further education, apprenticeships or work. 

"We know that their experiences at our schools over the years have helped prepare them for the challenges and successes that lie ahead of them."