PUPILS in Wrexham schools will be eagerly picking up their GCSE results today (Thursday).

And if last Thursday’s A-level and AS-level results are anything to go by, the county borough will be celebrating once again.

While not all of the A-level and AS results have been fully analysed, early indications suggest an overall pass rate of 97.6% which is in line with the 2008 results for Wales and 0.4% better than the UK average.

In the county, A-levels can be taken at Yale College, The Maelor School, Penley, Ysgol Rhiwabon and Ysgol Morgan Llwyd.

Overall, A-C grade passes are at 72%, a 2% improvement on last year’s figure of 70%. The pass rate at A grade is 26% – that is 2% higher than the performance for Wales.

The results for the Welsh Baccalaureate award is also pleasing with additional numbers achieving this award this year.

Although detailed information regarding the AS-level results has not yet been received, early indications suggest significant improvement on last year's pass rate with 14% more students achieving AS passes.

The chief learning and achievement officer, Hywyn Williams, said: “These results are very good and reflect the hard work of students and their teachers over the past two years.”

Cllr Aled Roberts, leader and lead member for schools and corporate parenting said: “These results are again extremely encouraging and students at the three schools should be proud of their achievements. They are the culmination of two years’ hard work by the students concerned with effective support from teachers and their parents.

“I should like to wish students well in the next phase of their learning or training.”

See next week’s Wrexham Chronicle for a round-up of today’s GCSE results.