A STUDENT who initially had her dreams of studying medicine dashed after downgraded results has spoken out about what has been a rollercoaster week.

Rebekah Fell-Crook, a Prestatyn High School student, has always been a straight A student. However, she was left devastated on A level results day last week when she attained a B in Biology, B in Chemistry, a C in Maths and a C in Physics.

She had been predicted a B in Maths, A in Chemistry, A in Physics and A in Biology.

Rebekah's results were sent to Cardiff University by the WJEC and her place on a medicine course was automatically declined.

Speaking about collecting her results and what the week has been like since she picked up that all important envelope, Rebekah said: "I had already seen on UCAS that I had not got the grades I needed to be accepted onto the medicine course. I had instead been offered a place to study Chemistry in Cardiff which was not a course that I had applied to. I found this really stressful as I had to sit at home for two hours before I could go to school in my time slot to pick up my results.

"I was told at the start of year 12 that my predicted grades were AAAA and I was reassured during parents evening this year that I was well on track to receive these grades at A level.

"The grades received on results day were nowhere near the grades that I had been predicted.

"I have been dreaming of studying medicine and becoming a doctor since I was in year 10, so being rejected from my dream university was devastating.

"I have wanted to study in Cardiff even before I knew what I wanted to study and so the thought of not being accepted to study there was really upsetting."

Rhyl Journal:

Rebekah Fell-Crook, like so many other students across Wales, has had a very difficult week

On Monday, August 17, after days of outcry, education minister Kirsty Williams confirmed that A level, AS, GCSE, Skills Challenge Certificate and Welsh Baccalaureate grades in Wales will now be awarded on the basis of Centre Assessment Grades.

The u-turn has turned Rebekah's despair to elation and she is now able to meet the criteria asked for by Cardiff University.

"This week has been really difficult as initially, I had to come to terms with the fact that I had missed my opportunity to study medicine at Cardiff," Rebekah said.

"Due to the competitive nature of medicine courses, Cardiff only allow students to apply to the medicine course once. This added to my stress as not only would I have had to resist my a levels, I would have to find different universities to apply to next year.

"I am so grateful that the education board have realised the mistake they have made in downgrading so many students and I am glad that they have been able to rectify it.

"I only wish that students were awarded their predicted grades sooner as it could have saved a lot of stress and anxiety."

Rebekah, who turned 18 the day before results day, has praised her school for their support.

"The teachers and staff at Prestatyn High school have been amazing," she said.

"They have signed petitions, given amazing advice and provided a lot of emotional support.

"I would like to thank everyone in Prestatyn and the surrounding community who has helped bring justice for A level students across the country by signing and sharing petitions and letting the exam boards know that what they did was unacceptable and unfair.

"I would also like to thank the amazing teachers and staff at Prestatyn High School who have pushed me to be the best student that I can be throughout my time in high school and sixth form. I cannot describe how grateful I am for all that they have done for me - I would not be the person that I am today without their encouragement.’