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Cardiff A-Level results 2020

13/8/2020 

Pupils across Cardiff have today received their A-Level results, many of which have been delivered virtually due to COVID-19.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: "I would like to congratulate all of Cardiff's students who have received their A-Level results today, in what has been an extraordinary few months for young people across the city.

"Schools, regulators and exam boards have worked diligently to ensure that their results will be regarded with equal importance as previous years. This cohort of Year 12 and Year 13's will be acknowledged for succeeding, having faced an exceptional series of challenges caused by the pandemic and now they can celebrate their determination and hard work over the last few years.
 

"I have enjoyed hearing of so many success stories from across the city and whether our students are moving onto university, employment or training, I would like to wish them the best of luck as they begin a new chapter of their lives." 

Given the decision to cancel examinations this summer as a result of the pandemic, the WJEC have developed a process which allows grades to be based on Centre Assessment Grades and Rank Orders which have been submitted by teachers/ lecturers.

Following a consultation with young people and education professionals conducted by Qualifications Wales, the WJEC has developed two statistical standardisation models, which have been approved by Qualifications Wales, which have been applied as part of the process for the issuing of grades for the summer 2020 exam series.

A specific appeals process for the summer 2020 exam series has also been developed.

On the 12August the Minister for Education has issued a direction requiring Qualifications Wales to paydue regard to Welsh Government's new policy that A level learners should not receive a grade outcome in a subject in Summer 2020 that is lower than their corresponding AS level grade. This rule is being introduced after the initial release of results by WJEC to schools and colleges. The Minister's Direction also asks to consider whether the grounds for appeal can be broadened for all A-level, AS level and GCSE qualifications.

Ian Price, Director of CBI Wales said: "2020 has undoubtedly been an unusual and challenging year for young people and the education system as a whole, but that should not detract from pupils' years of hard work and dedication. Whilst many young people will be understandably uncertain about how this year's results will be regarded and valued, employers trust the qualifications systems in place and have confidence that grades will have been awarded correctly.

"Regardless of whether people get the results they hoped for or not, grades are just one of the factors employers are seeking. Employers regularly tell us that attitude and aptitude far outweigh formal qualifications when it comes to hiring."

The Minister for Education in Wales announced on July 3 2020 the continued suspension of Key Stage 4 and legacy sixth form performance measures to the 2020/21 academic year. This general approach to publishing the relevant qualifications data for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years are also set out.

Some good news stories shared from schools from across the city include:

 

Cantonian High School:
Pupils, parents and staff at Cantonian High School have been celebrating excellent A-level results today. Many students are going onto university including Ramal Meghji Britton and Rhys Hughes who will be studying Song Writing and Music Business at The British and Irish Modern Music Institute, Mohamed Mohmed who will be studying Computer Science and Rumi Shikdar studying Business Management, both at Cardiff Met. 
Aran Hesso has achieved a place at Swansea University to study Philosophy following a year out to travel.

Headteacher, Diane Gill said "I am again incredibly proud of the achievements of all our sixth form pupils today. After what has been a difficult year for everyone with a great deal of uncertainty, they have continued to show commitment and have worked hard and ensured that they achieved the best grades they could."

Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf
The school is pleased with results which generally reflect the expected performance indicators.

While Glantaf is proud of the achievements of all of our students at an exceptionally challenging time, the following are particularly noteworthy.

A student with 4A* will read Computer Science and Mathematics at Bath and a student with 3A* and an A will read Chemical Engineering at Birmingham. 

One of our students with 3A* and an A will read Mathematics at Warwick and a student with 3A* and an A will read Theoretical Physics at Durham. Finally, one of our students with 3A* will read French and Hispanic Studies at Liverpool.  

 

Llanishen High School
Students have achieved outstanding results and the school is proud of all their A-Level outcomes. Some individual successes include;

Alex Fairhurst becomes the first student at the school to achieve 5 A* grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Physics and AWBQ. Amy Jones has secured the grades to read Geography at Oxford University andDonte Day has secured the grades to take up his place at the University of Chicago. His degree will include units in Humanities, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. 

Headteacher Sarah Parry said: "I would like to thank the students for their patience and good grace during this time.  I would also like to extend my thanks to our teachers, support staff and examinations officer for the huge amount of work that has been undertaken during these challenging circumstances to ensure that our students achieve the qualifications to enable them to progress to the next stage of their lives in education or employment.

"The circumstances in which these grades are issued does not diminish their worth.  These results are the culmination of the 13 years of hard work that sits behind them, resulting in the incredible cohort of young people receiving them today."

Cardiff is committed to ensuring that all young people are supported through transition. The ‘Cardiff Commitment' to young people,  which brings together Council services and citywide partners to support all young people to reach their full potential,will ensure that advice and support is readily available to all school leavers that may need help with their next steps. 

An Advice Directory has been prepared by the Council and several other organisations, providing links to a range of advice and information which can be accessedboth virtually and through face-to face appointments. To visit the Advice Directory for School Leavers please visit:www.cardiff.gov.uk/schoolleavers

Cllr Merry added: "It has been vital to ensure that there is support and advice widely available to all of our students and young people who are collecting results this month, with a particular focus on supporting the transition of learners into education, employment and training. Council teams, schools and external partners are all on hand, ready to help those who need it."