Learner Success 2022

After two years of learners receiving their grades at home, Coleg y Cymoedd has welcomed back the return of results day on campus with a bang, rolling out the red carpet for hundreds of learners to arrive on site to celebrate their achievements with classmates and tutors.

The college, which serves learners across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly, has reported high grades across both its academic and vocational courses, with its Nantgarw-based A-level Centre achieving a 99.6% per cent overall pass rate for 2022. There was a 100% pass rate in 20 out of 22 subjects including all STEM subjects, English, History and Geography.

The number of learners achieving A*-C grades is up 28% compared to 2019 – the last time results were based on external exams rather than centre determined grades, as they were during the pandemic. The number of learners attaining the top A* and A grades at A2 has also increased by 22%………..Read full story here

Megan James

Age: 18

Lives: Treharris

Previous School: Lewis Girls

Course(s) completed:  Level 3 Hair, Makeup and Special Effects

Distinction grade, heading to London College of Fashion to study BA Makeup and Special Effects for Film and Television

Brooke Pothecary

Age: 18

Lives: Porth

Previous School: Ysgol Gyfyn Llanhari

Course(s) completed: AS/A2 English Literature, Drama and Religious Studies

A* A* A* grades, heading to Cardiff Uni to study Italian and Japanese

Celyn Rose

Age: 20

Lives: Caerphilly

Previous School: Lewis Girls

Course(s) completed:  AS/A2 Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology

A A B grades, Distinction grade, heading to Liverpool Uni to study medicine

Kian Evans

Age: 18

Lives: Aberdare

Previous School: St John Baptist

Course(s) completed: Level 3 Sport

Distinction grade, captained college’s rugby team in 2021-2022 and represented Cardiff Under 18’s.

Heading to Cardiff Met University to study Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage

Max Parker and Sofie Bainbridge

Age: 29 and 26

Lives: Senghenydd and Llanharan

Previous School: St Cenydd and Cathays High

Course(s) completed:  Foundation Degree Photography

Both achieving first class foundation degree grade, heading to University of South Wales to study Photography

Amelia and Macey Morris

Age: 18

Lives: Pontypridd

Previous School: Hawthorn High

Congrats to identical twins Amelia and Macey Morris

Amelia – ABB Law, Government & Politics, Law heading to Bristol Uni to study sociology

Macey  – ABC Politics, Sociology, Criminology heading to Cardiff Uni to study sociology

Morgan Lewis – Read more

Age: 21

Lives: Ton Pentre

Previous School: Treorchy Comprehensive

Course(s) completed:  Level 3 Engineering Technologies

Distinction grade Level 3 Engineering Technologies

Gained Apprenticeship with FSG Tool & Die Ltd

Abigail Stinton

Age: 18

Lives: Tylorstown

Previous School: Ferndale Comprehensive

Course(s) completed: AS/A2 Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics

A B C grade, heading to Leeds University to study cardiac physiology

Arjundeep Singh – Read more

Age: 21

Lives: Cardiff

Course(s) completed Level 3 Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Double Distinction Grade)

Work Based NVQ Level 3

Caerphilly Business Club Apprentice of the Year

Completed his apprenticeship and secured full time employment with BAIE

Sam Wiener

Age: 18

Lives: Cardiff

Previous School: The Cathedral School

Course(s) completed: AS/A2 History, English Literature, Drama, Psychology

A* A* A* B grade, heading to Warwick Uni to study History

Josie Wheeler

Age: 19

Lives: Pontypridd

Previous School: Pontypridd High

Course(s) completed Level 3 Patisserie and Confectionary

Winning UK student Pastry Chef of the Year by the chef’s forum

Hoping to gain employment as a pastry chef

Jessie Taylor

Age: 18

Lives: Caerleon

Previous School: Caerleon

Course(s) completed Level 3 Sport

Representing Wales Under 19’s in 2021-2022

Gaining a contract with Man City Women’s Football Academy

Emily Evans

Age: 33

Lives: Gilfach Goch

Previous School: Tonyrefail Comprehensive

Course(s) completed Skills for Further Studies and Access to Humanities

Since completed a BA in Youth a Community Work (earning first class honours), due to complete a Masters Degree in Working with Children and Young People (Nov 2022) with University of South Wales.

Emily juggles her studies with volunteering at her local youth centre in Gilfach Goch, working with Eye to Eye counselling service as part of their response team, runs community youth projects and is a proactive member in her community.

Claire Lewis

Age: 40

Lives: Blackwood

Previous School: Blackwood Comprehensive

Course(s) completed Access to Business and Financial Services

Returned to education after raising her children. Claire completed the Access to Business and Financial Services course. She then gained employment in customer services with a local company.

Claire continues to study at Coleg y Cymoedd and is currently due to complete a Foundation Degree in Business Management by 2024.

Jason van Rooij

Age: 26

Lives: Cardiff

Previous School: foreign student from Netherlands

Course(s) completed BA Costume Construction

Hoping to gain employment within the costume construction industry

Maia Thomas

Age: 19

Lives: Merthyr Tydfil

Previous School: Cyfarthfa High

Course(s) completed Level 3 Performing Arts (Distinction *) Level 4 Performing Arts (Distinction expected)

Heading to the prestigious Italia Conti academy of theatre arts where she hopes to pursue a career as a professional music and theatre performer

Harrison Oatridge

Age: 18

Lives: Church Village

Course(s) completed AS/A2 Geography, Physics, Welsh Bacc and Maths

A A A B grades, hopes to become an airline pilot after he completes flight school

Thomas Morgan

Age: 19

Lives: Blackwood

Course(s) completed Distinction* in Applied Science

Heading to Glasgow University, hoping to become a pharmacologist