CONGRATULATIONS to every Gwent teenager who achieved the A-level grades they wanted yesterday.

We have no doubt there will be a few sore heads this morning after celebrations last night.

As usual, local schools have recorded some fantastic results. Students in Newport and Torfaen achieved results higher than the Welsh overall average. There was a pleasing improvement in the pass rate in the troubled Blaenau Gwent local education authority area – good news before the state-of-the-art Learning Zone opens next month.

But, as usual, members of the ‘exams were harder in my day’ brigade have done their best to belittle the achievements of our brightest young people.

The reality, as anyone with children coming to the end of their school careers will tell you, is that exams are as tough and stressful as they have ever been. Subjects may change, topics examined may alter, marking guides may differ, but the challenge of getting the grades needed is always the same.

Some youngsters will not have performed as well as they would have hoped and, with public sector cuts, they might have a tough time finding alternative courses.

Every student who got what they wanted yesterday deserves nothing but praise and we wish them well as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.