GCSE results day for Welsh students

Thousands of students across Wales are receiving their GCSE, Welsh Baccalaureate and vocational qualification results this morning.

Formal GCSE exams took place this year with some support remaining in place, recognising the impact of the pandemic on learners. The support included advance information on exam content and a supportive grading approach.

At a visit to Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham where he met students receiving their results, Education Minister Jeremy Miles said:

“Congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. You should all be proud of reaching this important milestone in your education.

“I welcome these results as our journey continues back to pre-pandemic arrangements.

“It’s inspiring to see what our learners have achieved. These learners have had to face immense challenges impacting on their learning opportunities over the past few years as they’ve progressed through their secondary schooling and onto their GCSEs.

“Don’t be too disappointed or hard on yourself if things didn’t quite go to plan today. Working Wales is a great place for you to discover the choices you have available to you to plan your next steps, or speak to your school for advice and support.

“I’d like to say a big thanks to our education workforce for their hard work and dedication helping students to fulfil their potential.”

Welsh Local Government Association education spokesperson Ian Roberts said: “On behalf of all the local authorities in Wales, I’d like to wish a heartfelt congratulations to all students receiving their GCSE results today.

"Today’s results show that hard work and diligent efforts yield remarkable results. We wish students all the best as they embark on their next chapter.

“Furthermore, it's important to acknowledge and appreciate the devoted educators, assistants, and all other staff in the education sector who have been instrumental in guiding and nurturing these bright minds.

"Their dedication underscores how their contributions serve as the bedrock upon which our students' accomplishments are built.

"With gratitude, we commend their exceptional efforts in fostering a positive and enriching educational experience.”

Neil Butler, from the teaching union NASUWT National in Wales, said: “Young people should not be disadvantaged by the fluctuation in this year’s grades.

"It will be essential for further education providers and employers to recognise the particular circumstances and context around this year’s grades and to act sensitively when considering their place offers or offers of employment to young people.”

National Education Union Cymru, David Evans, said: “NEU Cymru would like to say congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. Young people and the education professionals who teach and support them have worked hard in very challenging circumstances to get their results today, and should be proud of themselves.

“It is important we remember that these results cannot be compared with other years – Qualifications Wales has adjusted the results, because of Covid-19, so we already know they will overall be broadly midway between 2019 and 2022.

"That results can be adjusted like this is an issue for our members, but today is about celebrating success and looking at next steps.

“It is also important to remember today that if young people don’t get the results they want it isn’t the end of the road. Young people can speak to their school and local college about options that are available – there are lots of courses out there.

“Our members hope mitigations continue for next year. Covid is still having an impact in schools and colleges, and attendance levels are still well down on pre-Covid levels.

"We need to support young people and their teachers, to make sure they are not put under excessive and unhelpful pressure around results.

"Covid has had, and will continue to have, an impact, and we shouldn’t underestimate how everyone in school has had to adapt to a range of changes in the last few years.”

• GCSEs