AT LEAST 159 Gwent pupils got better GCSE English language results after papers were regraded, the Argus can reveal.
Among them were Llantarnam Comprehensive in Cwmbran, where 20 pupils received raised grades, Glyncoed, which had 19, Monmouth Comprehensive, with 17, and Newbridge Comprehensive, with 11.
The county borough’s only Welsh secondary school, Ysgol Gyfyn Gwynllyw, had 11, West Monmouth School had ten, Pontllanfraith had five, Risca four, and Ebbw Vale two. Some schools are still in the process of analysing the amended results. Pupils at Newport’s St Julian’s School, where 16 pupils had their marks altered, spoke of their joy at the news. Jessica Griffiths, 16, said: “I was devastated when I had a D. I thought ‘how did this happen?’ I worked really hard for it. Now I’m really happy, I cried when I found out.”
Tom Parsons, 16, said his parents would be proud he got the C grade he deserved, adding: “I’m very happy I don’t have to resit.”
Christopher David, head teacher at Oakdale Comprehensive, where six pupils benefited, said it was great news for pupils and teachers. He said: “The English department couldn’t understand why pupils had Ds, they knew something was up but didn’t complain until it all kicked off.”
A total of 2,386 pupils across Wales received raised grades, including 1,202 pupils who went from a D to C grade. The WJEC exam board made changes after education minister Leighton Andrews ordered a regrading, claiming grade boundaries had been set in a way that was unfair to candidates in Wales.
