STUDENTS in Monmouthshire celebrated another good year of results amid changes to GCSE exams.

This year saw adjustments to the way results are aggregated and new accountability measures for the exams in Wales to make them more rigorous and robust.

Staff at Chepstow School said they were “absolutely delighted” with this year’s results, with more than a fifth gaining the top A*-A grades.

Unlike in England, Wales has not moved to a number-based grade system.

Both chemistry and biology saw pass rates at the benchmark A*-C of more than 90 per cent, and students also achieved well in maths and English.

Students who sat the Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge achieved 91 per cent A*-C grades, with 21 per cent of them achieving A* or A grades in this subject.

Among the top performers at Chepstow were George Smith and Rachel Mackintosh, each with 10 A* and one A.

Isobel Higgins, Lillie Nicol and Joe Rooney scored seven A*s and four As, while Claire Irwin and Heather Shilling had six A*s and three As, Joel Hand six A*s and two As, Emily Lewis five A*s and six A*s, Grace Miles four A*s and five As, Jasmine Thomas four A*s and six As, William Merrick three A*s and six As and Jessica Ham 10 As.

Headteacher Matthew Sims said: “Chepstow School students have excelled in their GCSE exams.

“We are proud of all our students who have achieved outstanding results.

“They are now all able to move on to the next step of their educational career.

“These results have been achieved in partnership with support from parents and carers and through the commitment and dedication of school staff.”

At Monmouth Comprehensive, more than 50 students achieved the very highest grades in five or more exams, including Alice Barrell, who had an incredible 14A*s.

In religious studies, 86 per cent of all grades were at A* or A, in music it was 70 per cent and in computer science 60 per cent

Across the year group, 95 per cent achieved the Skills Challenge Certificate.

Monmouth Comprehensive headteacher Mr Vaughan Davies said: “I am so proud of our students and staff.

“Their commitment and dedication to achieve the best is humbling.

“I look forward to welcoming students back into the sixth form to embark on the next stage of leading their lives.”

Monmouthshire Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Young People, Cllr Richard John (Con, Mitchel Troy), said: “I am delighted for all of our students who have received their results. 

“Results days are always a mixture of excitement and trepidation but we can see today that the hard work and dedication of all of our students, their families and our schools’ staff has paid off. I want to congratulate everybody for what they have achieved.”