Eithne Hughes, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, comments on the publication of this year’s GCSE and vocational qualification results in Wales.
“Congratulations to all students receiving their results today. This cohort has shown exceptional resilience and everyone should be proud of their achievements, including the teachers and school leaders that have supported them in difficult circumstances.
“Grades have fallen this year but remain higher than in 2019. This is a result of the approach taken in Wales following the pandemic to adjust the grading system so that the distribution of grades is between that of 2019 and 2022, as part of a soft glide back to 2019 standards next year.
“We welcome the approach that has been taken, in recognition of the difficulties these learners have faced. The pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis have had a disproportionate impact on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and attendance, particularly among these pupils, has remained challenging in the build up to this year’s exams. This situation, as well as the plans to remove the additional support next year, must be kept under review and action taken if pupils are struggling as a result of the learning they have missed out on in recent years.
“We wish all pupils receiving their results today every success for the future.”