STUDENTS getting their A-level and Welsh Baccalaureate results have been congratulated by Education Secretary Kirsty Williams today.

On a visit to The John Frost School in Newport, Kirsty Williams said: “I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results and thank pupils, teachers and staff for all their hard work. These set of results show an encouraging increase in the number achieving the top grades, with improvement in results across maths, biology,chemistry and physics.

“We have also seen the results go up across a range of subjects and I want us to continue to build on this. I am committed to making sure our education system provides pupils with the skills and knowledge they need for the modern world.

“Our ongoing reform of A-levels is an important part in our national mission to raise standards and extend opportunities for all our young people.”

However, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Education Secretary, Darren Millar said that while the results were encouraging there was "still a job of work to do".

He said: “Our students and teachers can take great encouragement from today’s results and are due congratulations.

“The attainment gap for the highest grades has clearly narrowed, but girls continue to outperform boys at other grades.

“The decline by nearly a fifth in the take-up of computer and science subjects is a real worry given our economy’s skills shortage in these areas.

“There is still a job of work to do if our students are to compete against the UK’s very best in the labour market and higher education.

“International league tables still rank Wales as the worst schools system in the UK, while teaching standards and a growing recruitment crisis remain a cause for concern."

Commenting on the announcement of todays A-level and AS results, David Evans, Wales Secretary of NUT Cymru, said: “As ever, we at NUT Cymru congratulate students on their A-Level results. Success is only delivered through the hard work and commitment shown by students and their teachers.

“This cohort has been awarded both new A and AS level qualifications in certain subjects and have clearly risen to the challenge. The fact that the percentage of A* grades at A level and A grades in AS has increased both over the year and 5 year averages is very heartening. Parents, teachers and all associated with the delivery of the exams can take great pride in the pupils’ achievements.

“Beyond the top grades we have seen similar increases overall and that is great testament to the hard work being put in at our schools and colleges. The results represent a great foundation for our youngsters moving forward.

“Whilst there has been a decline in the number of entries at A and AS level of around 6%, it should not cause any concern. There are a number of possible explanations for why that has occurred. It is, however, too early to speculate on the reasons why as there has been no definitive analysis as yet.

“Rather, we should focus on the positives and reflect upon the fact that students have secured the grades they need to take the next steps in their development. NUT Cymru congratulates them all.”

This year’s A-level results show:

• 75.3% gained A* to C, the highest since 2009, with 25% achieving A*-A
• In maths, Wales again outperformed England at A* and A* to C, with 19.4% gaining A*, and 80.4% gaining A* to C.

• There have been increases at A* in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

• At A* to C the results have gone up in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography.

• For all Subjects the performance of both male and females learners has improved across all of the grades.

The Welsh Baccalaureate results show:
• 94.0% of candidates achieved the Skills Challenge Certificate.

• 78.7% of candidates passed the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate.