AFTER months of anticipation, today is the day GCSE results finally arrive. The Journal's photographers have been out and about at schools across Denbighshire and Conwy this morning, and we will be updating throughout the day the pupils' results and how schools have performed overall.

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Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, Abergele

Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan has celebrated a milestone anniversary with the best set of GCSE results in the school’s history.

Following its 50th anniversary earlier this year, the school added to its A Level success last week with outstanding achievements for both year 10 and year 11 students at GCSE.

Year 11 pupil Christine Costea led the pack, adding seven A*s and four As to four A*s achieved in year 10.

Many of the pupils intend to stay on at the school for sixth form, after the school earned an 100 percent pass rate for the second year last week.

Alex Brownbill, who earned an A*, four As, three Bs, two Cs and a pass in Welsh Baccalaureate  said: “I was very nervous this morning but am really pleased with my results. I will be studying design and technology, psychology and photography in the sixth form at Emrys ap Iwan.”

Adding to this year’s result are two distinctions in sport’s science for Dylan Cunnah, who also earned seven As, four Bs, and Jasmine Dean with an A*, four As and seven Bs, with both also achieving a pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate.

Dylan Cunnah said: “I am really pleased with my As in geography, chemistry, physics and maths. I am now going on to study chemistry, physics and civil engineering in the sixth form.”

Other pupils, including Twins Michael and Harrison Bellis will follow their exam success by moving on, with Michael set to begin an apprenticeship with Airbus in Broughton and Harrison going on to study public services at Llandrillo College.

Also earning outstanding results today were year 10 pupils taking examinations early.

Declan Nichols, a year 10 pupil who has already taken English Literature, engineering and components of his separate sciences, said: “I am delighted with the results that I’ve had this year. It’s really given me the focus I need to give me the best start for year 11.”

Headteacher Lee Cummins said: “This is a fantastic set of results and is a huge success for everyone.

“I am particularly pleased that we have built on our previous successes to improve further in this year. The results show the dedication of the pupils, parents and staff and I am once again pleased that together we have ensured that all our learners have done themselves proud.

“I am delighted with the increasing success of our pupils to achieve such good GCSE results.

“This is very good news for our pupils and everyone associated with the school. Pupils of all abilities have achieved the results they deserve through hard work and commitment. More Pupils than ever are leaving with the ‘gold standard’ of GCSE passes.

He added: “I would like to thank the staff and parents for their hard work in ensuring pupils are able to confidently move on to the next stage of their learning journey. They have all clearly risen to the challenge of ‘daring to achieve’ at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan.”

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Twins Michael and Harrison Bellis are happy with their results. Picture: Phil Micheu

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Freya Groom. Delighted with a hat full of A and B grades. Picture: Phil Micheu

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Finding time to relax after getting their results are Declan Nichols and Chiara Jones. Picture: Phil Micheu

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Happy Alex Brownbill, who gained A* and A results in many of her subjects. Picture: Phil Micheu

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Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan celebrating their GCSE results. Picture: Phil Micheu

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Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph

HIGH standards of GCSE attainment are on show once again at Ysgol Glan Clwyd.

Pride has been expressed at the St Asaph-based school, where the high standards of previous years have once again been maintained, with 80 per cent of pupils achieving five A*s to Cs.

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Ysgol Glan Clwyd pupils Llinos Jones, Llio Owen and Cerys Howatson celebrate their results

Due to the changes made to GCSE qualifications in Wales, it is difficult to compare performance with previous years.

Headteacher Bethan Cartwright said: "We are very pleased once again to see so many young people succeed – it is a tribute to their hard work and determination, the commitment of staff, and the support of parents.

"Most pupils have exceeded their personal targets and many have achieved a raft of A* and A grades.

"They can now step forward confidently to their chosen post-16 pathway."

She added: "The majority of pupils in this year group have worked diligently and co-operated happily with staff and it is very pleasing to see them attain such commendable grades.

"They have also been fully supported by the school’s pastoral and mentoring schemes.

"The message is very clear – aspirational pupils who work hard, succeed!

"Congratulations to all the young people – we applaud your success!

"Llongyfarchiadau calonog i chi gyd!"

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Pupils jumping for joy! Picture: Geoff Abbott

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Delighted pupils congratulate each other at Ysgol Glan Clwyd. Picture: Geoff Abbott

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Owain Fisher shows off his results. Picture: Geoff Abbott

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Arianna Jones and Rhys Jones with their grades. Picture: Geoff Abbott

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Education Secretary Kirsty Williams AM

EDUCATION Secretary Kirsty Williams AM has congratulated pupils across Wales as this year's results show the proportion being awarded top grades at A*-A has increased.

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Education Secretary Kirsty Williams AM

From 17.9 per cent in 2017 this has gone up to 18.5 percent this year.

In the second year of reform of GCSEs in Wales, results also show an increase of 50 per cent in the number of entries for science – ensuring that a far greater number of young people have the higher level skills needed to drive Wales' future economy.

This reflects a change in entry patterns in schools and a move away from significant entries for vocational science qualifications.

Individual sciences (biology, chemistry and physics) entries are up by over 10 percent and the number of pupils gaining A* in these sciences has also risen.

A*-C outcomes remain stable, with nine-in-10 achieving these results.

Kirsty Williams AM said: “I want to congratulate pupils who are receiving their results today and to thank the teachers who worked so tirelessly to deliver these new qualifications.

“Today marks a culture change for science in Wales.

"Entries are up by 50 per cent, with more pupils gaining A*- C and more achieving the very top grades in biology, chemistry and physics.

"This shows the importance that both we and schools attach to this subject and I am confident that together we will continue to go from strength to strength, as we saw with last week's A level results.”

Last year the Education Secretary announced measures to discourage schools from entering thousands of pupils too early unless they were ready.

This is borne out by this year's results showing an overall decrease in the number of students entered before they have completed their full programme of study – otherwise known as early entry.

These pupils were entered early either last summer or in November and did not return to sit the exam again this summer.

However, while numbers have fallen, early entry has still had a significant impact on some subjects.

Different and early entry patterns have had an effect on subjects such as English.

As made clear by JCQ, the most accurate picture of attainment is 16 year olds irrespective of when they sat the exam, whether that's last summer, November or this summer. This shows an English Language A*-C rate of 63.3 percent.

"Today's results are, of course, only one part of a picture that will be pieced together in the autumn", the Education Secretary continued.

"Early entry has had an impact on some of these results and that's why the final picture will change.

"You only have to look at previous years where the autumn results have been several percentage points higher than the data published in the summer."

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Blessed Edward Jones Roman Catholic High School, Rhyl

The vicar of Rhyl's son has taken the top spot in Blessed Edward Jones' GCSE results.

Ioan Grimwood, son of soon to be Archdeacon of St Asaph reverend Andy Grimwood, earned an impressive eight A*s and four As today.

Jade Hughes' delighted reaction to her GCSE results at Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School in Rhyl. Video: Geoff Abbott

Headteacher Dominic Tobin responded: "The overall performance of the school is very encouraging with notable successes for pupils. 

"Congratulations to all of our pupils and we wish them every success in their future studies."

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Headteacher Dominic Tobin with Jade Hughes. Picture: Geoff Abbott

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Varun Philip intends to study health and social care at Coleg Llandrillo Rhos-on-Sea campus following his results. Picture: Geoff Abbott

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Leon Edwards proudly displays his results. Picture: Geoff Abbott

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Connor Scott jumps for joy after receiving his results. Picture: Geoff Abbott.

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Rhyl High, Rhyl

Rhyl High pupils have "delighted" their headmaster with their GCSE results.

Anabel Jacobson topped the achievers' list with seven A*s, four As and a B.

Other exceptional performers included Dylan Cains, who earned three A*s, six Bs and a C, Arabella Cartwright who achieved an A*, two As and three B's , Steven Jones with an A*, four As, five Bs and two Cs and Callum Dally who got four A*s, six As and two Bs.

Claire Armistead, headmaster of Rhyl High said: "I’m delighted with the progress our pupils have made this year and I’d like to say a massive thank you to all our students, governors, staff and parents for all their hard work, support and dedication.

"I’m really proud of what our students have achieved and I wish them lots of success and happiness with the next level of their studies.

"I'd also like to acknowledge two other students, Bethan Hooson and Connor Breeze, for their brilliant achievements in music and art – well done."

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Rhyl High pupils receiving their results