PEMBROKESHIRE schools have seen a flurry of impressive GCSE results this year, as students from several institutions across the county have overcome numerous challenges to achieve remarkable academic success. Despite the turbulent years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted their early secondary education, pupils have demonstrated resilience, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to their studies, resulting in outstanding achievements that have filled schools and communities with pride.

Ysgol Harri Tudur

At Ysgol Harri Tudur, Headteacher Mrs. Fiona Kite expressed her pride in the Year 11 pupils, who not only met but exceeded expectations in their GCSE and BTEC results. She highlighted the resilience and determination displayed by the students, which has been rightly reflected in their results. Mrs. Kite extended her thanks to the teaching staff, whose dedication played a crucial role in these achievements, and to the parents for their unwavering support.

Notably, the school celebrated several individual successes that stand as a testament to the hard work of both students and staff. These achievements set a strong foundation for the students’ next steps, whether they choose to continue their education in the sixth form, pursue apprenticeships, or enter the workforce. The school remains committed to supporting each student’s journey beyond GCSEs and wishes them continued success.

Haverfordwest High VC School

Haverfordwest High VC School also reported excellent outcomes, with Headteacher Mrs. J. Harries expressing immense pride in her pupils’ efforts. The school’s focus on preparation and the pupils’ conduct during examinations were key factors in the excellent results achieved. Mrs. Harries highlighted the significant role played by the teaching staff, whose endless work ensured students were well-prepared.

Among the top achievers were Ceri Jenkins, who secured 11 A* grades and a Distinction in Additional Maths, and Emily Gosling, who matched this feat and added a Merit in Additional Maths. Another standout performer, Nireeksha Attawar, earned 11 A* grades, a Distinction in Additional Maths, and a pass in Equality & Diversity.

The school is looking forward to welcoming many of these students back into their growing sixth form, while also preparing those who are moving on to other educational institutions or employment. The influx of applications for the sixth form from students at other schools is a testament to the school’s strong reputation and welcoming environment.

Ysgol Greenhill

Over at Ysgol Greenhill, Headteacher David Haynes shared his delight over the GCSE results, congratulating all pupils on their well-deserved successes. He acknowledged the disruptions faced by the students during the early years of their secondary education but praised their work ethic and commitment, which led to such positive results.

The school celebrated several notable achievements, including Ella Bromby, who achieved an astonishing twelve A* grades and one A, and Evie Swales, who garnered ten A* grades and two A’s. Other high achievers included Sukie Blackwell with eight A* and three A’s, Bella Evans with five A* and seven A’s, and Louie Treadaway-Williams, who earned seven A* and four A’s. These results reflect the hard work of both the pupils and the teaching staff, whose support and guidance were instrumental in these successes.

Ysgol Greenhill is excited to welcome a majority of these students back to continue their studies in the sixth form, while also wishing those moving on to other paths the best of luck in their future endeavours.

Ysgol Bro Preseli

Ysgol Bro Preseli joined the countywide celebration, extending congratulations to its Year 10 and 11 pupils for their outstanding GCSE results. The school praised the hard work, dedication, and resilience of the students, acknowledging the critical role played by the teaching staff in guiding them to such success. The support from parents and guardians was also recognised as an essential factor in helping students reach this important milestone.

The school looks forward to welcoming many of its pupils back for post-16 studies, while also preparing to receive new students transferring from neighbouring schools. For those who have chosen different paths, Ysgol Bro Preseli expressed confidence in the strong foundations laid at the school, which will support their future endeavours. The school community takes great pride in the achievements of its pupils, celebrating their success as a collective triumph.

Ysgol Bro Gwaun

Headteacher Paul Edwards is delighted with the school’s outcomes.

“On behalf of the staff and governors of Ysgol Bro Gwaun, I would like to congratulate all pupils who are receiving their results today. We are very proud of their hard work and dedication, and of the outstanding results which they have achieved.”

He continued: “I would like to pay tribute to the determination and perseverance shown by our pupils and also to thank the teaching and support staff for their dedication in ensuring all learners achieve their best. As a school we are particularly proud of the fact that all learners received recognised qualifications that will enable them to follow their chosen career paths, be that in a sixth form, the college or work based training.”

Year 11 student Amy Hall (9A* and 2A) paid tribute to the school for the support both she and her year group received, saying: “ We have faced quite a few challenges to get to this point and we would not have been able to achieve so well if it wasn’t for the support we were given by the school in the lead up to the exams. The staff have been brilliant in preparing us and giving us the confidence to give our best; we cannot thank them enough.”

The staff and governors pass on their best wishes to all of year 11 as they take the next exciting steps on their life journey.

County-wide achievements acknowledged

Pembrokeshire County Council has also extended its congratulations to all learners who received their GCSE results this year. The Council highlighted the remarkable resilience, dedication, and academic achievement of students across the county, despite the challenges of recent years. Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments, noting that their hard work and determination have paid off. He also praised the support provided by school staff and families, which has been instrumental in the learners’ success.

The Council is committed to supporting students in their next steps, whether they choose further education, apprenticeships, or enter the workforce. Various resources and programmes are available to help learners explore their interests and achieve their career goals, ensuring that they have the support needed to continue thriving beyond their GCSEs.

PLANS for coverings in parts of a north Pembrokeshire school to make them “useable during inclement weather” have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

Pembrokeshire County Council, in an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, sought approval for canopies to cover school yards at Ysgol Bro Ingli, Long Street, Newport, a modern school built in 1993.

A supporting letter, sent through agent Harries Planning Design Management, said: “This application seeks to provide two new canopies/coverings to two open areas within Ysgol Bro Ingli.

“These coverings seek to allow parts of the school to be useable during inclement weather, especially the yard area. The canopies will be constructed with transparent materials to ensure adequate light and to ensure that no external lighting will be required.

“The proposal also seeks to propose a doorway to the north elevation of yard 2 to provide wheelchair accessible access to the covered area from the neighbouring building.

“The proposed canopies are within the grounds of the existing school. They do not seek to intensify the use on site, just to simply provide additional areas during inclement weather. Therefore, they will not create any negative impact on the surrounding areas.”

The proposal was supported by Newport Town Council.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “The proposed scheme is considered to be acceptable in terms of scale, form, use and design. The development will not cause an unacceptably detrimental impact to the special qualities of the national park.

“It is not considered that the development will cause an unacceptable impact upon privacy or amenity of neighbouring properties. Ecology and landscape features will not be adversely affected by the development.”

The application was conditionally approved by officers under delegated powers.

AN APPLICATION for a new 3G pitch playing surface at a south Pembrokeshire school has been backed by national park planners.

The Pembrokeshire County Council application, supported by Tenby Town Council, for a replacement of the existing pitch surface, extended by approximately nine metres, a replacement perimeter fence, and new LEDs in existing lighting columns at Ysgol Greenhill, Heywood Lane, Tenby was recommended for approval by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The new pitch will replace the existing 3G turf, and provide a much-improved 3G playing surface for the school in a secure environment. The new refurbished pitch shall provide a suitable surface for football use. The new surface shall achieve certification for FIFA Quality.

“The current provision of the astro turf pitch is aging (15 years +) and requires replacing in order to be maintained as a safe usable space. The refurbishment of the facility will ensure the continued outdoor all-weather provision in Tenby for both the school and the catchment community sporting clubs. The transformation of the pitch from an astro turf surface to a 3G will be more beneficial for both the school and the community clubs, resulting in additional utilisation and participation levels.”

An officer report said: “The application site is an existing astro turf pitch sports facility which forms part of the Greenhill School campus. It is principally accessed south off Heywood Lane with additional access north off Marsh Road. The site overall is located within the centre boundary of Tenby Service and Tourism Centre as defined in the Local Development Plan.”

It added: “As an extension of an existing astro turf facility, the proposal is proportionate and modest in scale and size. The proposal reuses existing features of the facility and mimics hours of operation so as not to create any increase in amenity impacts. The broader application site of the Greenhill School campus will accommodate increased green infrastructure that will provide multiple benefits for school pupils and users.

“Overall, the development will not create any detrimental impacts on the special qualities of the National Park.”

The application was conditionally approved.