Students across Swansea are celebrating their GCSE results.
The figures show 21.2% of pupils in Swansea gained A* and A grades in their WJEC exams, which is significantly better than the 18.4% for those in Wales as a whole.
More than 75% of students achieved the higher grades of A* to C in 15 of the 44 different subjects.
Meanwhile, the top grades of A* and A were awarded to over a third of all entrants in 8 subjects.
A total of 97.5% of GCSE examination entries in Swansea were passed (grades A* to G), and tops the Welsh pass rate for 2019 of 97.2%.
Some 66.8% GCSE students in Swansea scored A* to C grades, well above the comparable figure for all-Wales for 2019 of 62.8%.
Swansea Council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Jennifer Raynor, said: “I visited Birchgrove School this morning and I was delighted to see so many happy faces among the pupils and their families and very proud staff.
“These results have been replicated across our schools and I would like to congratulate all our pupils and our teachers.
“I’m really pleased that the pupils have done so well, not just in the GCSEs, but also the wide range of options in many of our schools that lead to important qualifications and allow young people to go on and do what they want in the future."
Swansea figures shown are for June 2019 WJEC GCSE only, and do not include other qualifications equivalent to GCSE (such as BTEC).
This list will be updated as results are finalised by schools
Bishop Gore School
At Bishop Gore School, more than 61% of Year 11 pupils achieved at least five A*-C GCSE grades including English and Mathematics - a 10% rise from 2018.
Some 14 students achieved at least ten of the top A* or A grades, 25 achieved at least 7 of these top grades and 39 pupils achieved five or more A* or A grades across a range of subjects.
Headteacher Helen Burgum said: "Everybody associated with Bishop Gore School is proud and delighted for the pupils that achieved 5 GCSEs at A*-C grade including both English and Mathematics.
"We are also particularly pleased that all our pupils gained a recognised qualification and nearly 100% of our 216 pupils achieved at least 5 GCSEs at A*-G grades again this year. The number of pupils attaining the highest grades (A*-A) is a credit to the pupils and staff.
"These results demonstrate the hard work of the pupils and the excellent relationships that exist between them and our committed staff who are relentless in their effort to provide our learners with the best opportunities to achieve their full potential. We are all very proud of the pupils at the school and look forward to working with them as they enter our highly successful sixth form."
Bishop Vaughan Catholic School
Many pupils at Bishop Vaughan achieved high grades in their examinations.
Marvel Biju had 4 A*s, 7As, 1 B and a distinction in additional mathematics. He said: "I am very pleased with my results. All the help and guidance from all my teachers helped me to achieve my grades. I could not have done it without the amazing teachers."
Three years ago Hind Alhmaqdisi could not speak any English.
"With the help of school and with hard work I achieved all A and A* grades. I am looking forward to continuing my studies at Bishop Vaughan’s sixth form," he said.
Daniel Felton said: "I am extremely happy that all the hard work has paid off obtaining 5A*, 3As, 4 Bs and a distinction in additional mathematics. I am now continuing to sixth form and am so grateful to my teachers for their fantastic support.’"
Headteacher Mrs Emma Pole said: "We are very pleased that so many of our pupils have achieved highly in their examinations.
"There are some exceptional performers again this year. The achievements of the pupils are the result of sustained effort invested over the course of their studies and this is a time for them to celebrate the fruits of their hard work.
"On behalf of the staff and Governing Body I congratulate them and their families. We are also very proud that so many pupils have chosen to continue their studies at our successful sixth form. "
Birchgrove Comprehensive School
Birchgrove Comprehensive School was particularly pleased with results in core subjects such as Maths, English and Science.
Headteacher Andrew Owen said: “There’s a lot of lovely stories of some really hard working pupils who have done really, really well.
“The grades are very good and there have been some big improvements including science.
“It’s really pleasing to see many of the boys have matched some really strong performances from the girls.
“They’ve been a really good year group and they have done well not just in their GCSEs but also BTEC and other options.
“I’m really pleased for the pupils and our staff and it’s nice to have a really positive end to the year.”
Bishopston Comprehensive School
At Bishopston Comprehensive School, 92.8% of pupils achieved five GCSEs grade C and above.
Of those passes, 44.6% were grades A* and A, 44.4% was the percentage of pupils who achieved 5 or more A* and A grades.
Some 55 pupils achieved 10 or more A* and A grades and 10 pupils achieved all A* grades.
Headteacher Jeff Bird said: "“We are absolutely delighted with the remarkable GCSE results in Bishopston and would like to extend our congratulations to all the pupils, parents, staff and Governors.
"Our pupils have worked extremely hard throughout their 5 years with us and thoroughly deserve these exceptional results.
"We would also like to acknowledge the excellent work undertaken in the formative years by our superb primary feeder schools.
We wish the pupils every success in the future as they embark on the next stage of their educational journey.”
Gowerton School
Nigel Jones, headteacher at Gowerton, said: “I am pleased for all pupils and staff. They have worked very hard and I thank them for their dedication and effort.”
High fliers included:
Ella Macey 11A*
Ryan Bunting 9A* 3A
Rhianna Grieg 9A* 2A
Poppy Ace 8A* 4A
Morriston Comprehensive School
More than 55% of pupils achieved at least a C grade in English and Maths at Morriston Comprehensive School. Some 82% also gained the Welsh Baccalaureate skills challenge and 98% of pupils achieved a GCSE grade in English.
Headteacher Martin Franklin said: "These results reflect the effort and dedication of the pupils and staff at Morriston and come on top of outstanding A Level results where over 30% of grades were A*-A and 79% were A*-C."
High fliers included:
Madeline Pulling: 5A*s, 5As and 3Bs.
Jisha Zachariah: 1Distiction*, 8As and 4 Bs
Alexander Smith: 8As and 3Bs
Katy Jeremiah: 1A*, 3As, and 5Bs
Leah Ashton: 2 Distinction*, 2As and 5Bs.
Leah Harford: 3As and 5Bs
Pontarddulais Comprehensive School
Some 48% of pupils at Pontarddulais Comprehensive School achieved an A*/A grade and three pupils gained twelve A*/A grades plus a Distinction in Additional Mathematics.
Gareth Rees, acting headteacher at the school said: "We are delighted for so many of our pupils being rewarded for their diligence and hard work through gaining excellent examination results. Likewise, there are many outstanding results in vocational subjects reflecting the inclusive ethos of the school.
"I would like to thank staff for the high quality teaching and support provided which has helped pupils realise their challenging aspirations and in many cases achieve their dreams. It is great to hear from pupils today who are excited to be able to study their first choice courses at the next stage of their education."
Ffynone House School
All qualifications, with the exception of ICT are graded using the 9-1 system. Over half of all grades at Ffynone House School were at level 7 or above (equivalent to the old A/A*) with 19% at the ultra high level 9.
In Maths 83% of entries were graded level 7 or above (equivalent to the old grade A) with 50% at level 9-8 (A*).
58% of Chemistry grades were at level 9 and over and 75% of Biology and Chemistry grades were levels 9-7.
Headteacher, Michael Boulding, said: “I am thrilled to see so many of our students achieving at the very highest levels in so many subjects.
"I am also extremely proud that 84% of students met or exceeded their targets this year, over a third of them by at least two grades! This shows that above all else, we give our students the confidence and expertise to achieve their very best in these challenging qualifications.”
