IT is GCSE results day in the Vale and pupils from Barry are excitedly picking up their results.

This year has seen a phenomenal set of GCSE results being achieved by Pencoedtre High School and its pupils.

The school's sixteen-year-olds have achieved superb results across the board, with 72 per cent of its pupils getting at least a C-grade in English, 62 per cent of its pupils getting at least a C-grade in maths and numeracy and 68 per cent of its pupils getting at least a C-grade in science.

To add to this, 59 per cent of its pupils got at least five good GCSE qualifications, including English and maths, and 17 per cent of its pupils achieved at least five A* to A grades.

Tyrone Davies, headteacher of Pencoedtre, said "this is my best experience as a school leader. Full credit to the school’s pupils and its teachers.

Mrs Dix, head of Year 11, said: "I am very proud of all my pupils who had worked extremely hard, got the results they deserved and have matured into a lovely group. They are a credit to their families and to Barry”.

The school’s highest achievers were:

Bethan Thomas, with eight A*s one A and a Distinction in Additional Maths,

Angelina Olds, with three A*s, five As and a Distinction in Additional Maths,

Isobel Stevens, with two A*s and 5As,

Ina Lalik, with two A*s and six As,

Joscelin Hall, with four A*s and three As,

Megan Kerslake, with one A* and seven As, and

Charlotte Dobbs, with three A*s and five As.

A special mention should also go to Ffion Spence who passed all of her exams, including achieving five As, at the same time as representing Wales (U17) at football this year.

This summer’s results have been the icing on the cake after a successful first year for Pencoedtre High School.

Besides successfully establishing a coeducational school for 11 to 16 year olds in the east of Barry, and welcoming boys for the first time, the school has also been working with the local authority in designing a brand-new school building to be built and opened on its site by the autumn of 2021.

Following their continued excellence at A Level last week, the Cathedral School is also once again celebrating exceptional GCSE results.

Under the new Nine Point measuring system, an outstanding 43 per cent of grades were a nine or and eight, with 67 per cent of all grades at nine to seven.

The most common grades awarded overall were the outstanding nine and eight. In six subjects – art, biology, chemistry, drama, Latin and Physics – the most common grade was nine.

100 per cent of pupils achieved the equivalent of at least five GCSE grades nine to four, including first language and maths; three quarters of pupils achieved five grade sevens or better.

Top performers, Francesco Buono and Megan Davies achieved ten grade nines.

On news of his results, Francesco Buono, who represents Cardiff and Vale at cross country said: “I am so happy with my results. Studying for my GCSEs meant that I had to learn how to use my time more effectively to fit everything in – training, school work, playing the saxophone and practising for Jazz Band – but it was definitely worth it!

"The teachers have been very supportive, and I have really appreciated all of the help they have given us outside our lessons. I’m really looking forward to starting sixth form at CSL.”

Megan Davies, who has had starring roles in the school’s most recent drama productions, Blood Brothers and Fame said: “I am over the moon with my results and so happy that all the hard work has paid off.

"A massive thank you to all of my teachers and to everyone who has been so supportive over the exam period.”

Other pupils who achieved seven grade nines or above included Saiba Ahuja who was recently shortlisted for a Young Achiever’s award by the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Association; former choristers, Nia Bhatia and Naomi Bridges-Jones; Sebastien Roach, a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales; musician Joseph Barlier; Walter Taylor and Dylan Rudolph, members of the U16 rugby team who represented the school in the Rosslyn Park Sevens.

Headteacher of the Cathedral School, Mrs Clare Sherwood said: “I was absolutely delighted to congratulate the pupils this morning on one of their outstanding GCSE results. Following our continued success at A Level last week and in our 40th anniversary year of co-education, it is terrific to see our girls and boys achieving so strongly together.

"Indeed, the resilience and hard work of all our pupils, combined with their passion for getting involved with all aspects of school life exemplify our whole school community ethos.

“I am incredibly proud of our pupils and teachers who work so hard to make the Cathedral School such an excellent school.

“I am very much looking forward to welcoming our new Sixth Form at the beginning of September, along with students from other schools, attracted by the small class sizes, outstanding results, strong emphasis upon preparation for top universities, and supportive pastoral care.”