GCSE results: See how pupils from Anglesey and Gwynedd schools performed

We will be live throughout the day bringing you the latest news as students across Anglesey, Bangor and Caernarfon receive their grades.

If you have any photos you would like us to share, then you can send them into us via our Facebook page or by sending them to arron.evans@newsquest.co.uk

Good luck to everyone who will be receiving their results today. Keep checking back for updates.

ANGLESEY

Ysgol Caergybi headteacher Adam Williams says he is "extremely proud" of this year's GCSE froup for performing so well and achieving "excellent results".

"They have contributed to some of our best results since the recent changes introduced to the single entry exam process," he said.

"The pupils first results are the results that count towards the school performance measures which could have resulted in added pressure. However, our pupils have responded extremely well to the new demands and we have seen further improvements this year in Welsh, Science and English, as well as many of our non-core subjects. Our results in English are the best we have ever achieved.

PICTURE: Pupils at Ysgol Caergybi this morning.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated and committed staff that have given up their holidays and weekends to support our pupils in the extra sessions. The support our students receive is exceptional and the governors and I are extremely grateful for the dedication our staff give year on year to help the future of Holyhead to achieve their full potential."

Among top performers at the Holyhead-based school were Bethany Batsford (One Distinction, four A's, six B's, two Passes), Emily Bidwell - (Three A*'s, three A's, five B's, one Pass), Maisie Davies (One A*, four A's, six B's, one C, one Pass) and Chloe Hamilton (Three A*, eight A's, two Passes).

Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni headmaster Clive Thomas says the hard work shown by pupils and teachers at the school has "paid off" following GCSE results this morning.

He added: "I’d like to congratulate all our Year 11 pupils on their GCSE results today.

"All the hard work by pupils and staff has paid off, bringing in a fantastic set of results – they really are a credit to the school.

"I am proud of all their achievements and wish them all the best for the future."

Some of the best performers were Louise Pleasant (Six A*, five A's), Cara Jones (Six A*, three A's), Benjamin Thomas (Six A*, three A's and one B) and Jac Hughes (Four A*, five A's, two B's).

There were great results at Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch, too.

Headteacher Aaron Bayley said: "We are very proud of the achievements of all of our students once again this year. After a lot of hard work and teamwork the students are now reaping the rewards. I’d like to thank each and every individual student for their perseverance and committment.

PICTURE: Pupils picking up their GCSE results at YSTJ this morning.

"They now have difficult decisions ahead over a short period of time in terms of their future. The school will now do everything we can to support the young people over the next few days to make the right choices.

"On a personal note I would like to thank all of our staff for another committed year and for their continued support and enthusiasm. Well done to everyone as we look to build to the future and provide the best possible opportunities for the next group of youngsters.”

There were plenty of celebrations over at Ysgol Bodedern as well.

Headteacher Sion Lloyd said: "The School would like to congratulate our Year 11 pupils who have received their GCSE results today. We are very proud of each of our pupils’ performance and it’s great to see that none of our pupils has left the school without a qualification.

PICTURE: Bodedern pupils were all smiles this morning.

"We must give recognition to the following Year 11 pupils; Tomos Evans, Lowri Hughes, Erin Jones, Ioan Jordan, James Magee, Anya Mlynarczyk, Aimee Moore, Lia Williams a John Wilson whose results included at least five A*/A grades. Also, a huge congratulations to Matthew Williams, a Year 9 pupil, who achieved an A* in Mathematics.

"All of these results are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our pupils and also the support and guidance of our teachers. The School would also like to thank the parents for their continued support of Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern."

Year 11students at Ysgol David Hughes have once again achieved excellent GCSE results this year.

Headteacher Mr. H. Emyr Williams said: “I would like to congratulate all our Year 11 students on their excellent GCSE results this year. They have worked extremely hard and these outstanding results are a tribute to their commitment and diligence.

"I would also like to thank their teachers and other staff who have taught and supported students so effectively, and also parents who have nurtured and encouraged the students over the years.”

Individuals attaining outstanding results were

Stephen Cowley                   12A*, 1A

Megan Elias                          11A*, 2A

Elina Gale                             10A*, 3A

Manon Henderson              10A*, 3A

Llewelyn Roberts                10A*, 2A, 1B

Jasmine Blight                      9A*, 4A

Catrin Powell Jones            8A*, 5A

Kateryn Reid                        8A*, 5A

Lara Hanson                        7A*, 6A

Llio Morgan                         7A*, 5A, 1B

Arwyn Foulkes                     6a*, 7a

Mr Williams added: "We congratulate all the pupils who have achieved their personal goals and look forward to welcoming the majority of the pupils back to the sixth form in September”.

Anglesey Council has also congratulated pupils on their success this morning.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Meirion Jones stated, “We are proud of our young people’s success. The results today are a testament of years of hard work and it is important that we celebrate the successes, abilities and devotion of our young people. This is also an opportunity to thank all of the staff at our schools who work hard to support the pupils in gaining these qualifications, and have also started to prepare for all of the changes facing education.”

Arwyn Williams, the Head of Learning noted: “Congratulations to the pupils, and I would like to wish each and every one of Anglesey’s pupils well as they move on to the next chapter of their lives. We would like to thank the parents of the pupils for their support along the way”.

GWYNEDD

There were some brilliant results at Ysgol Friars in Bangor this morning.

Loredana David, who only joined the school from Romania in September, "worked tremendously hard" since she started according to headmaster Neil Foden.

She had limited English when she came but has managed to earn herself an A in English and a B in Welsh.

Speaking on the success of all pupils at the school, Mr Foden added: "We’re really pleased with our performance again this year with a continuing rise in performance against a number of key national indicators and we’re looking forward to celebrating their achievements with our Y11 students this morning."

Other top performers included Joe Burr and Amelia Marshall-Andrews who both received nine A*, two A's, one B and two C's each.

Aleena John received eight A*, three A's and one B and Lotti Jones had seven A*, three A's, three B's.

At Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen in Caernarfon 66% of pupils achieved the equivalent of five A* to C grades or higher, with more students than ever receiving the equivalent of five A*/A grades.

PICTURE: Arwyn Edwards, Sion Evans and Osian Tudur receive their grades.

Headteacher Rhian Parry Jones commented: "It is wonderful to celebrate with great pride the achievements of numerous pupils who have worked very hard over the last two years and we look forward to welcoming back a large number of our successful year 11 pupils to study towards Higher Level qualifications in the Sixth Form with us.

"I would like to congratulate everyone on their successes and to thank all the pupils, staff, governors and parents at the school for all their efforts and consistent hard work and support yet again this year."
Among top performers were: Twm Hughes (pictured below) who received nine A*'s, one Distinction* and three A's, Lauren Childes who received three A*'s, one Distinction* and nine A's and Arwyn Edwards who achieved two A*'s, one Distinction*, seven A's, two B's and one C.

PICTURE: Twm Hughes receiving his grades at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen this morning.

At St. Gerard's School in Bangor, year 11 pupils excelled with 96.4% of them achieving A*-to C grades.

Business Manager Ann McFarlane said: "Once again it is that time of year when students come in to school with trepidation but leave excited at the opportunities open to them after receiving  their results.

"We are delighted to report that our Year 11 pupils have excelled with 63.3% achieving A/A* or 9-7 and 96.4% A*-C or 9-4. Congratulations to all for their achievements."

PICTURE: Joseph Hooton, Jacob Alexandrou, Shenona Mitra, Daniel Pigott, James Roberts, Max Rizzuto and Vincent Henningham.

Top performer Gwyn Owens achieved A* in all eleven GCSE subjects, while Jacob Alexandrou and Elizabeth Dawes achieved six A*s and Shenona Mitra, Daniel Pigott and ,Elodie Edwards achieved five A*s.

Joseph Hooton will be going forward to Myerscough College, Preston, to specialise in Basketball Studies.

Staying with Bangor and at Ysgol Tryfan there were some "outstanding results" according to headteacher Gwyn Tudur.

"For the second week running I would like to congratulate the pupils of Ysgol Tryfan for outstanding examination results," he said. 

PICTURE: Ysgol Tryfan pupils this morning.

"After receiving excellent A Level results last week I am delighted with the grades achieved by our GCSE students this week. Outstanding results have been achieved by the vast majority of students at all levels, and this is testimony to the school’s drive for constant high standards.

"I was particularly pleased again this year with the inclusivity of our performance with all our pupils achieving creditable qualifications. But I was particularly pleased  with the number of students achieving the 5A*-A  benchmark. This is an indicator that Ysgol Tryfan pupils anually achieves highly but an unprecedented 37% of this year’s group achieved this target.

"These examination results  are the result of a great deal of hard work on the part of students and staff alike. I am extremely proud of all the pupils, particularly at a time of national change and volatility in education.

"I am particularly grateful for the tremendous support that has been given to the pupils by our dedicated  staff at Ysgol Tryfan and by wonderfully supportive parents.  Diolch yn fawr iawn – a llongyfarchiadau!"

Gwynedd Council officials have congratulated pupils in the county for their results this morning.

Councillor Cemlyn Rees Williams, Cabinet Member for Education said: “These results are very good; the pupils are to be warmly congratulated.

“We want to see every pupil succeeding. I would like to thank the teachers for their hard work throughout the year.”

Garem Jackson, Gwynedd's Head of Education added: “GCSE results are very good this year and reflect the commitment of our young people. Many congratulations to them for their hard work and success.

“These good results reflect the emphasis placed in our schools on inclusion, equal opportunity and the success of pupils as individuals."

Mr Jackson also referred to the performance in some individual subjects.

He added: "The results are good in a number of subjects but especially in the following subjects: Welsh Language, Science, Design and Technology and History.

“It is also pleasing to note that many of our young people have been very successful in vocational subjects."