A-LEVEL students at Pembrokeshire College are celebrating after an impressive set of A-level results which has seen four students secure their places to study at either Oxford or Cambridge.

A breakdown of results shows 36% of students achieving A*-A grades and 88% achieving A*-C grades. With growing A-level numbers the College saw 278 results at A*-C grade out of a total of 315.

With the results for vocational courses now also out, over 260 A-level and Extended Diploma students are now hopeful of securing their places at university.

Students heading to the University of Oxford are Jessica Hillier (A*A*A*A) to read Biology at Jesus College, Lorna McEvoy (A*A*A) to read History at Trinity College and Lizzy Rowland (A*A*A) to read Law at Christ Church College. Meanwhile fellow student Alyssa Baker (A*A*A*) will be heading to the University of Cambridge to read Human, Social and Political Sciences at Sydney Sussex College.

Also heading to the University of Cambridge to read Modern Foreign Languages at Trinity College is Federation student Emma Nicholas. We would like to join Milford Haven High School in congratulating Emma on her results.

Other notable A-level successes include former Ysgol Bro Gwaun students Callum Harries who achieved four A* grades and Sam Rummery who achieved three A* grades. Congratulations also to former Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi students Tom Sheppard who achieved two A* grades and an A grade, and Caitlin Howe who achieved three A grades.

This year has also seen BTEC National Diploma students excelling once again with many students achieving Distinction grades and taking up places at universities across the UK to study a range of subjects including Cyber Security, Biological Sciences, Law, Pharmacology and Midwifery.

University destinations for Pembrokeshire College students span the length and breadth of the UK and include: Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, Aberystwyth, Durham and Edinburgh.

After receiving this year’s A-level results, Principal Dr Barry Walters commented: “These results are testament to the hard work of our learners. With university places being offered prior to lockdown, based on each individual learner’s performance and achievements, we are mindful not to let the current situation detract from how hard these learners have worked throughout both their AS and A2 year to achieve the results that we see today.

“Grades were estimated based on work already submitted and it is important that the achievements of these learners are not underplayed. To have four students progressing to either Oxford or Cambridge is a huge achievement for the learners themselves, the teaching staff and the College as a whole.  We are also delighted to note an increase in the number of our students gaining places at other high profile Russell Group and Sutton Trust Institutions.

“To the significant number of learners, from both A-levels and vocational diplomas, now progressing to universities across the UK to study a vast array of programmes, we wish them all the best of luck and hope that they will keep in touch as they progress through their studies and into their future careers.”

For further information on the courses available at the College contact Admissions on 0800 9 776 778 or go to pembs.ac.uk/courses

Summary of Results:

Overall pass rate 100%

A*/A grade 36%

A*-C grade 88%

A TEMPORARY Traffic Restriction Notice has been put in place after safety concerns over overnight parking close to a Pembrokeshire beauty spot.

Pembrokeshire County Council is introducing the order to prevent the waiting of caravans and motor caravans (motorhomes) between 8pm and 7am close to Newgale.

The Notice applies to the two large laybys either side of the A487 as you drive down the hill towards Newgale, and the small layby close to the junction with Welsh Road.

The same restrictions will apply to Welsh Road, from the junction with the A487 to the junction with the C3067 leading to Roch.

The restrictions came into force yesterday (Thursday) and will be in force for a period of 21 days initially.

Darren Thomas, Head of Infrastructure at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “The Notice has been made in order to address feedback received from the community and also safety concerns in respect of obstructive parking by motor caravans that is taking place along the public highway and associated health and safety issues”.

Pembrokeshire County Council congratulates all learners who have received either ‘A’ Level or Level Three vocational qualification results today (Thursday, 13 th August).

All school-based settings have provided opportunities for learners to receive their results on-site today with appropriate social distancing measures in place. All settings are providing information, advice and guidance to learners via an appointments system.

Learners’ achievements this year are to be celebrated as they are in any other year.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges for learners, families and schools with new systems being used to calculate learner outcomes due to the cancellation of the Summer 2020 Examination Series.

The Council’s Director for Education, Steven Richards-Downes, said: “We congratulate all learners today on their achievements. Every school has enabled learners to achieve outcomes that will provide them with a range of options.

“All learners have achieved outcomes that will enable them to take the next steps in their journey whether that is further or higher education, employment or training.

“We are sharing in the success of each learner and all schools have shared examples of this success with the Council.”

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Guy Woodham, added: “I congratulate all learners on their achievements. As a local authority, we have been committed to supporting learners in achieving the best possible outcomes.

“Learners who have received their results today will have acquired a range of skills that enable them to be lifelong learners and hopefully achieve more than they thought possible. I wish all learners every success for the future.”

At Ysgol Greenhill, Tenby, the headteacher, Ray McGovern, and the governing body, congratulated all learners and in particular: Josie Dodd – 3A*s – History, English Lit & Welsh Bacc. Going to Birmingham to study Law; Katie Nicholls – AAAB – A* in Geography, Maths and Welsh Bacc and a B in Biology. Cardiff University to study Optometry; Oakley Milton – AABB – A* in Chemistry and Maths and a B in Physics and Welsh Bacc. Going to Bath to study Chemical Engineering with  Environmental Engineering.

Harrison Cole Picton – ABBB – A in Welsh Bacc and a B in Geography, History and Government and Politics. Going to University of Warwick to study Government and Politics.

Ysgol Harri Tudur/ Henry Tudor School, Pembroke, is tremendously proud of all Year 13 students in these unprecedented times and what was an unexpected and abrupt end to their schooling. Almost all of school’s Year 13 cohort achieved a set of results enabling them to taken up their places at universities in England and Wales.  The school sends them off to the next part of their academic journey with best wishes for their sustained and future success

At Haverfordwest VC High School, headteacher Mrs Jane Harries and the governing body  congratulate the Sixth Form students on their excellent results. Notable results are: Jake Scott who achieved A* grades in Maths, Chemistry and Physics and A grade in Further Maths; Efa Walker achieved A* grades in English Literature and Religious Studies and A grades in French and History; Jamie Reason achieved A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics; Ellie Dixson with A* in English Literature, A in History and Welsh Baccalaureate and B grade in Biology; Iris Bruins with A grades in English Literature, Psychology, Welsh Baccalaureate and B grade in Chemistry.

At Milford Haven School, the staff and governing body are extremely proud of every one of their achievements. Headteacher, Ms Ceri-Ann Morris, said: “Everyone at Milford Haven School congratulates students on their success achieved at ‘A’ Level and equivalent Level Three courses during this academic year. We wish them every success and hope they all have a bright future – whether it be continuing in education/apprenticeship or employment. Outstanding performances includes those of Emma Nicholas, Isabella Cutolo, Leah Harries, Niamh Taylor Dylan Evans and Carys Wild.

At Ysgol Y Preseli, Crymych, the governing body and staff congratulated all learners on their achievements. Notable successes were: William Lloyd, a highly intelligent and focused student who has all the attributes required to successfully complete a degree in Engineering. He attained an A* in Mathematics, an A* in Geography and an A* in Physics. He also attained an A in his Further Mathematics AS course. Nia Stedman returned to Ysgol y Preseli in order to follow a vocational route. She has completed BTEC Level 3 qualifications in Sport and Health and Social Care and  uccessfully completed the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification. She also achieved Distinction* in Sport, Distinction in Health and Social Care and an A grade in the  Welsh Bac Skills Challenge Certificate. Ffion Thomas whose contribution to the extra -curricular work of the Music Department has been outstanding. Her impressive skillset was recognised earlier this year when she was elected as Head Girl at Ysgol y Preseli. Her talent has resulted in her gaining a place to study Music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.