Powys students do well again at GCSE

At least 69 per cent (seven out of 10 results) of GCSE results in Powys are at grades A*-C, with 20 per cent of results at the highest grades of A*-A.

However, while Powys' results at A*-C are nearly three per cent higher than in Wales as a whole, there was a marginal drop in grades A-C by 0.1 per cent, according to Powys County Council, and a similar drop in grades A-B. Last week's A Level results also saw a slight drop.

Despite this, students in Newtown, Llanidloes and Llanfair Caereinion had plenty to celebrate today as they picked up their results.

Cllr Stephen Hayes, Cabinet Member for Learning and Leisure, said: "Our warm congratulations go to all pupils for achieving such excellent results which demonstrate their great commitment and hard work. This is made possible by the support they receive from dedicated teaching staff in all our schools and also from their families."

The overall pass rate of grades A*-G in Powys is similar to last year’s level at just over 99 per cent, almost one per cent higher than in Wales.

This year’s results at the highest grades A*-A at 20 per cent are almost one per cent more than in Wales as a whole. The percentage of results at grades A*-B at 40% is also nearly 1% higher than in Wales.

Little change is expected in the overall figures when results from other examination boards are added as approximately 90% of examination entries are with WJEC, according to the county council.

A spokesman said: "These results maintain the high standards seen in previous years’ performance and remain consistently above the all-Wales averages. The overall pass rate in Powys at a little over 99 per cent is also slightly higher than the corresponding figure for England."

In addition, many pupils have also achieved equivalent qualifications in vocational subjects.

GCSE Grade Achieved

                                   A*-A            A*-B            A*-C            A*-G
                                       %               %               %               %
2011

Powys (WJEC)            20.2            39.6            69.0            99.2
Wales (All Boards)      19.5            39.0            66.5            98.7

2010

Powys (WJEC)            20.9            40.6            69.1            99.3
Wales (All Boards)      19.2            38.0            66.4            98.7

2009
Powys (WJEC)            22.2            42.9            72.2            99.3
Wales (All Boards)      18.9            37.4            65.5            98.5