Pembrokeshire County Council congratulates all learners who have received GCSE and vocational qualification results today (Thursday, August 20).

All schools 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 this year with new systems used to calculate learner outcomes due to the cancellation of the Summer 2020 Examination Series.

Guy Woodham, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said: “The Authority welcomes the Education Minister’s announcement on Monday, August 17, on the Summer 2020 Examination Series and the decision to use Centre Assessed Grades.

“The last few months have been difficult for all learners, their families and schools and we thank the Minister for taking the decision to support learners and the schools.”

Clr. Woodham went on: “I would like to 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.”

The Council’s Director for Education, Steven Richards-Downes, added: “Schools have worked hard to provide learners with dignity, purpose and options. 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.

“This year, more than ever, should not be about the data. It is about celebrating learners and their achievements whatever the grade, making sure they focus on their next steps and moving forward.

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

Wales’ Education Minister, Kirsty Williams said: “I want to send my very best wishes to everyone who receives their results today.

“Due to the many changes we’ve had to make this year in exceptional circumstances, you’ve had to make many sacrifices.

“It has been a year like no other, and today will feel a bit different.

“These results are a reflection and reward for your hard work, prior attainment in exams, and school assessment, so you should be very proud of what you have achieved.

“I hope you get the grades you’d hoped for, and you can continue with your journey in the autumn, whether this is onto college, apprenticeship or staying on at school.

“Although many of you will be pleased with your results and excited for your next step, if you didn’t get what you’d hoped, there’s plenty of options and advice on Working Wales.

“Best of luck, and best wishes for the future.”Pembrokeshire Secondary School Headteachers have been reflecting on the GCSE results and thanked pupils and staff for their hard work in what has been an unprecedented year.Year 11 students were unable to take their exams due to Covid-19 and missed out on many of the events and rituals of the final year of compulsory education.One Headteacher told his students: “If you can cope with this year then you can overcome almost anything life will throw at you in the future.”Greenhill School (Tenby) Headteacher Raymond McGovern said it had been a pleasure to be in school to see pupils collecting their results this morning.He added: “There has been a real sense for celebration and this is in no small part to the fact that students know that the grades they have achieved reflect the confidence their teachers have had in their industry and commitment during the whole of the two years of GCSE study. II would like to congratulate each and every one of our pupils. Not solely for their academic achievement but for their positive and enduring spirit, their tenacity, and their reliance they have shown throughout these unprecedented times. But even more than these for their care and compassion for each other and their community at possibly the most challenging times in the living memory of all but a very few of us.”  Mr. McGovern highlighted pupil Adnan Batak, a refugee who joined the school in September 2017 with no English language skills, oral or written. “From this starting point, he has just completed six GCSE subjects and entry-level Welsh Language,” Mr McGovern said.“But it is his kindness and humour that is most noticeable and enduring.” Among top performers at Greenhill were Emily Batty 9A*, 2A; Tom Davies 9A*, 3A; Freya Williams 8A*, 3A and 1B; Sam Prestwick 3 A*, 6A and 4B; Daisy Blackwell   5A*, 5A, 2 B and 1C and Natasha Hodgson who achieved 3A*, 6A, 3B and 1C grade.Mr. McGovern continued: “Whether returning to study A Levels at Greenhill, going on to College, a training placement or the world of work I would like not only to wish each and every one of them well for their future I would like to say how proud we all are of them and how they have responded to these most unusual times. “If you can cope with this then you can overcome almost anything life will throw at you in the future.”At Ysgol Harri Tudur,(Pembroke) the Headteacher Fiona Kite, the Governing Body and all staff congratulated Year 11 pupils as they collect their GCSE results.Mrs Kite said: ’’We are tremendously proud of all of our Year 11 pupils in these unprecedented times, most especially during what was an unexpected and abrupt end to their compulsory schooling, with many of the final Year 11 rituals taken away from them. “All of our pupils are unique individuals and we hope that their centre assessed GCSE results reflect their pre Covid-19 effort and attainment. “Almost all of our Year 11 cohort have achieved a set of results which will enable them to take up their places in the Sixth Form, at Colleges, apprenticeships or employment. “We congratulate them all today, wishing them all the very best of luck for the next part of their academic journey with our very best wishes for their sustained and future success.’’Milford Haven School Headteacher Ceri-Ann Morris, said: “On behalf of staff and governors at Milford Haven School, I would like to congratulate all Year 11 pupils on their GCSE results, reflecting the efforts and commitment they have shown over the last two years and also thank their parents/carers for their support and co-operation," Among the top performers at Milford Haven were: Ethan Hull 9A*, 4A, 1B; Ben Parr 13A* and 1A; Ferdy Stevenson-Shields 12A* and 1A; Elin Gent 9A*, 4A and 1B; Jenny Algieri 8A*, 3A and 3B and Ethan Bateman, Sam Burton, Megan Rickard, Kiatlyn Carlson and Neve Harper.Ms Morris added: “The school is pleased to say that all pupils left school with qualifications which will help support them to follow the path of their choice, whether that be into Sixth Form, College, apprenticeships or employment.“We wish you all good luck in your future careers. Pwb lwc pawb.”