Staff at Stanwell School have commended students for coping with the disruption caused by the pandemic, as they receive their A-level results today [10 August].

The school said the day allowed students to reflect on their achievements in this "highly unusual year" and to receive well-deserved congratulations from their parents, carers, and teachers.

Due to the pandemic, in Wales, final grades were decided based on teacher assessments.

Nub News spoke with pupils outside the school who had received their grades this morning.

"We're just relieved now," said Raya Dean. "We finished earlier than usual but then we've had to wait longer for these final grades."

"It's not really been the year that we wanted," said Charlotte Walsh.

"I obviously worked hard for my grades, but it does feel a bit like they've been plucked from somewhere, because we didn't sit traditional exams.

Jacob Bannister also received his grades this morning.

"The whole year everyone in education has been talking about how to reward grades rather than thinking about how to teach people," he told Nub News.

"To me it should be about the process of learning, not necessarily what result you're going to get," said Jacob.

"The reason I did well wasn't because I was thinking, 'how am I going to do one of these assessments?' It was me just learning the course. I feel that's how it should be every year."

Mr O Flatley and Mrs R Lewis, Heads of Year 13, had nothing but praise for the way in which their year group dealt with the pandemic period.

"The way in which the students have responded to all the obstacles and challenges put in their way over the two years of their course of A Level study has been nothing short of remarkable," said Mr Flatley.

"Their teachers are very proud of them, and they should be proud of themselves for the will to succeed they have consistently shown, this has translated into an exceptional set of results for this year group as well as learning many new skills throughout the period of online learning during school closures."

"These results represent the students' hard work over many months and years at Stanwell," said Mrs R Lewis.

"They have been a wonderful year group throughout their time here and are great ambassadors for our school and a real credit to their families. They will be missed around school, but we know that they will go on to great success and fulfilment in the next stages of their lives."

Cllr Lis Burnett, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: "After another extremely challenging year, I would like to congratulate all the young people that received their A and AS Level results today.

"They have had to cope with extraordinary circumstances and in many cases have overcome that adversity to achieve excellent grades.

"Our teachers and school leaders have ensured that the process undertaken over the last year has resulted in a fair and robust set of outcomes for our young people.

"On behalf of the Council, I would like to wish students the very best of luck in whatever they do next, whether continuing their studies in university or college or taking up employment."