Coleg y Cymoedd celebrates another year of A-level success

There are jubilant scenes at Coleg y Cymoedd today as learners and teachers join together at its A-level centre in Nantgarw in celebration of another year of outstanding exam results.   

This year 15 of the college’s 22 A level subject areas achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, including physics, history, religious studies, English language and literature.

With over 500 learners receiving their results today, Coleg y Cymoedd is the largest A-level provider in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The college’s dedicated A-level centre offers learners the choice of 27 subject options, and operates as a partnership between the College, St David’s Catholic College Cardiff and Cardinal Newman Roman Catholic School in Pontypridd.

One of the outstanding achievements to result from that partnership this year includes Kristian Hallett (18), a Cardinal Newman Catholic School learner from Ystrad Mynach, who achieved the grades he needed to secure a place at Oxford University.

With his AAAA grades in psychology, history, Welsh Baccalaureate, English language and literature in hand, Kristian is now set to study ‘Ancient and Modern History’ at the University of Oxford’s Regent’s Park College.

Kristian said, “Opening the results was great, it feels like the reward for all the hard work ahead of the exams and then waiting for the results. Now I know that I have a place secured at Oxford I think I might take a gap year, I may even study another A-level at Coleg y Cymoedd.”

Shortly after Kristian opened his results, one of Wales’ leading young athletes achieved his A-level goals. Calum Haggett (19), a learner from Tonyrefail, achieved three A and one A* grades in maths, physics, chemistry and biology to secure a place at Imperial College London to study biomedical science. Calum’s time at Coleg y Cymoedd has also seen him captain the college’s league winning rugby squad and represent his country internationally as captain of the Wales U18’s squad. For the last year Calum has put his rugby career on hold in order to concentrate on his studies.

Calum said: “Today is such a relief and is a real testament to the work I’ve put in over the last couple of years. I really can’t thank Coleg y Cymoedd enough for their support, they’ve really gone the extra mile to make sure I got the results I needed from organising additional tutoring to allowing me extra time to fit in my rugby career.”

Calum is now looking forward to joining a rugby club once he gets settled in London and re-igniting his playing career.

Results day 2016 at Coleg y Cymoedd also saw a pair of identical twin brothers celebrate identical sets of A-level results, which will allow both to attend the University of Bath to study same course.

Rory and Ryan Doolan opened their results together at the Coleg y Cymoedd A-level centre in Nantgarw this morning to discover that they had both achieved AAB and A* grades in maths, geography, physics and the Welsh baccalaureate. The brothers will now be heading to their first choice university to study civil engineering.

Judith Evans, Principal of Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “Since the opening of this centre four years ago, A-level results day has become one of the true highlights of our year. It’s a privilege to be here today to share in the excitement of the learners and tutors as they discover the results of two years of hard work and dedication. 

“Working with our partner schools, Coleg y Cymoedd has made its mission to strengthen the South Wales Valleys through excellent academic provision. I think the festival atmosphere here today shows that we are succeeding.

“On behalf of all the staff at the College, I would like to congratulate all A Level and AS learners. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter of their lives, we wish them every success as they continue the next stage of their studies, or set out on their career paths.

Coleg y Cymoedd serves more than 12,000 learners from the boroughs of Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and surrounding areas. In addition to A-levels, the college provides a wide selection of vocational courses across its four campuses – Aberdare, Nantgarw, Rhondda, and Ystrad Mynach.

There are still places available for both A Level and vocational courses starting in September 2016. For more information about the courses available and how to apply visit www.cymoedd.ac.uk.

Kristian Hallett is off to the University of Oxford’s Regent’s Park College with AAAA grades to study Ancient and Modern History

Calum Haggett earns A* AAA to secure a place studying Biomedical Science at Imperial College London

Georgia Evans secures 2 A*s and an A to study History at Kings College London

Identical twins Rory and Ryan Doolan receive identical A Level results to study Civil Engineering at Bath University

Bethan Chamberlain jumps for joy on the red carpet

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