Overall, the first students to study at Coleg y Cymoedd’s new A-level Centre secured a 99 per cent pass rate at A-level.

The college also secured a rate of over 70 per cent A*-C grades with 21 out of the college’s 25 A-Level subject areas achieving a 100 per cent pass rate including  maths,  English, chemistry, physics and history.

The largest provider of A-levels in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf, the college’s A-level Centre officially launched in 2012 with the opening of the £40 million Nantgarw campus.

Currently over 600 students study at the centre, which offers the choice of 28 A/AS-level subjects, and operates as a partnership between the college, St David’s Catholic College Cardiff and Cardinal Newman Roman Catholic School in Pontypridd.

Notable individual A results achieved by Coleg y Cymoedd students include Shannon Britton, 18 from Ferndale who achieved A* grades in English and law and an A in history. She will be going to Oxford University’s Exeter College to study English. Chloe Ratcliffe, 18, from Treharris, who achieved three A grades in English, History and Maths and will be going to Kings College, London to study history.

Shannon Britton said: “I am so relieved to have achieved the grades I needed and am really excited to be heading to Oxford. I had hoped to do well but really didn’t expect the A* grades. I’m so grateful to Coleg y Cymoedd for all their support, especially in helping me to fast track my A-levels to complete them in just one year.”

Chloe Ratcliffe said: “Unfortunately my grandfather passed away on the morning of my history exam so I really thought I had messed it up. My tutors were fantastic and helped in keep me positive, making sure I was focussed on getting through the exams. My grandfather would be so proud of my grades and what I’ve achieved.”

Judith Evans, principal of Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “Today marks Coleg y Cymoedd’s most significant milestone since the creation of the A-level Centre. Our exceptional performance at A-level is the deserved reward of two years’ hard work by the students and staff who support them.

“Our students’ personal and collective successes are a demonstration of Coleg y Cymoedd’s mission to strengthen the South Wales Valleys through excellent academic provision, delivered through south Wales’ broadest A-level curriculum.     

“On behalf of all the staff at the college, I would like to congratulate all A-level and AS students and wish them continued success as they progress with their college studies, move on to university, or take their first steps on the career ladder.

“At AS level Coleg y Cymoedd, saw a nine per cent increase on last year’s results which is extremely encouraging ahead of our A-level results in 2015.”

Coleg y Cymoedd, which was created in 2013 following the merger of Coleg Morgannwg and The College Ystrad Mynach, serves more than 25,000 students drawn from Wales’ traditional industrial heartland in the boroughs of Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf and surrounding areas. The college has 1,000 staff working across five campuses - Aberdare, Nantgarw, Rhondda, Rhymney and Ystrad Mynach. The college also provides the largest choice of A-levels on one site to over 600 learners.

There are still places available for both A-level and vocational courses starting in September 2014. For more information about the courses available and how to apply visit www.cymoedd.ac.uk

ENDS