REGIONAL AM Andrew RT Davies has congratulated Stanwell school students and teachers on this year's GCSE results.

Mr Davies has also criticised Labour government ministers for their inability to sufficiently raise Wales-wide results and fulfil their vocal commitments on GCSEs.

In the National Assembly this year, Labour’s first Minister said: “We’re in a good position this summer to be on a par and, we hope, doing better than England when it comes to GCSEs”.

Last week's results show that the attainment gap has widened. In GCSE full course results, those achieving the very top grades - A* or A - has fallen from 19.4 per cent to 19.2 per cent, and those achieving A* to C grades has remained at 66.6 per cent.

South Wales Central AM, Mr Davies: “Every student picking up their results today deserves our heartfelt congratulations and our sincere best wishes for the years ahead. The pupils and teachers at Stanwell School should be extremely proud of their efforts.

“Today represents the conclusion of many years of hard work, for teachers, pupils and their families. All have earned every success.

“While many families celebrate and consider their children’s futures, it is also now the duty of Labour ministers to concede their failures and consider their mistakes.

“Overall results across Wales are - regrettably - still lagging behind England. In fact, the attainment gap has widened. That’s despite clear promises from Labour’s First Minister to turn performance around and challenge - and surpass - English results.

“Carwyn Jones has failed in that commitment and in doing so, he has failed students in their efforts to get higher, and more consistent, grades across the country.

“Even he has admitted his party has taken its eye off the ball on education since it took up the Welsh reins in 1999.

“A different approach and effective progress are now desperately required and I urge Mr Jones and his Education Minister to make an urgent statement on today’s results.”