Pupils at Monmouth School for Girls are celebrating outstanding results in this year’s GCSE and IGCSE examinations.

The results include a mixture of letter and number gradings with a new 9 considered to be a high A*, an 8 a low A*, a 7 the equivalent of an A grade, and 4 the equivalent of a C grade pass.

Hard work and dedication from the pupils and teaching staff certainly paid off.

Despite the uncertainty of the grading changes, almost a quarter of all grades achieved on the reformed 9-1 grading were the coveted 9.

A 69.3% of all grades were A* to A and 98.4% of all grades were A* to C, compared to 98.1% in 2017. Eighteen out of 22 students who sat the Additional Maths recorded a Distinction.

Three pupils at Monmouth School for Girls secured the highest grade across all their subjects and also gained a Distinction in their Additional Maths.

Amelia G and Esme P, who both live in Monmouth, achieved the highest grade in 11 subjects and Katie T in 10. All three pupils were awarded Distinctions in Additional Maths.

Katie T, from Usk, said: “I am very happy because I wasn’t expecting these results but it means I can now study Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English Literature at A level. Hopefully, it will be another step towards my aim of reading Medicine at university.”

Ellie C achieved the equivalent of 11 A*s and Lili S, from Orcop, the equivalent of 10 A*s.

Ellie C, a keen hockey player and equestrian rider, from Allensmore, said: “I am particularly pleased with my results in languages because I am going to study Russian, German, French and Latin at A level.

“I would like to study Modern Foreign Languages at university and I am looking forward to the new co-educational teaching in the Sixth Form because it will be a natural step before going to university.”

Cara D, from Mitchel Troy, was awarded the highest grade in nine subjects as was Eva B and Holly T.

Eva B, a budding engineer from Caerleon, said: “I am incredibly happy because I want to work in engineering and will be taking Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A level.

“I realised I wanted to become an engineer while I was studying GCSE Design and Technology because I enjoyed the practical aspects.”

A keen equestrian rider, Holly T, from Abergavenny, said: “Everyone in my family rides horses and I would like to study veterinary science at university. I am taking Maths, Chemistry and Biology at A level in the Sixth Form.”

Bethan E achieved the highest grade in eight subjects. Bethan, a keen musician from Usk, said: “I was shocked when I saw my results but delighted too. My dream is to study Medicine and I will be taking Biology, Chemistry, and Geography at A level.”

Almost half of the reformed grades at Monmouth School for Girls were achieved at 8 or 9, with Art receiving 50% and Religious Studies 46% of all grades at 9.

Acting Head of Monmouth School for Girls, Mr Tom Arrand, said: “We are very proud that almost a quarter of all grades achieved on the reformed 9-1 grading were at the highest possible mark, 9.

“Three pupils swept the board with the highest grades possible in all their subjects, while two others achieved the equivalent of 10 A*s.

“It highlights the value of hard work and dedication from pupils and the teaching staff.

“With the launch of co-educational teaching from September in Monmouth Schools Sixth Form, we are very excited about the future development of girls and boys within our family of schools as they build on these impressive GCSE results and aim high for their A levels.”