Students across West Wales celebrated being top of the class, as GCSE exam successes were announced on Thursday.

Ceredigion schools attained an overall pass rate of 99.5%, with 72.8% of pupils achieving A*-C grades.

The GCSE examination results published by the WJEC last week indicated that high standards are being maintained in local schools, with 23.1% of the entries in Ceredigion achieving A* and A grades.

County Councillor Hag Harries, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member for Learning Services and the Children and Young People's Partnership, said:

“These results clearly illustrate the commitment and effort made by our learners and staff within Ceredigion to strive for the best possible outcomes in 2013. As Cabinet Member it portrays an extremely pleasing picture about the quality of teaching and learning we offer here within Ceredigion.”

Eifion Evans, Strategic Director of Lifelong Learning and Partnerships added: “I am delighted with the results. Ceredigion has achieved the best results ever this year with our main performance indicator of five A*-C including Mathematics, English or Welsh crossing the 60% threshold for the first time. This is an outstanding achievement by our learners and staff.”

In Pembrokeshire the percentage of pupils achieving grades A* or A was similar to last year – 18%

The percentage of pupils gaining A* – C grades was 63.2%, with the overall A* - G percentage pass rate in Pembrokeshire at 98.8%.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Education, Kate Evan-Hughes, said: “Overall provisional results from each of Pembrokeshire’s eight secondary schools show a mixed picture, however some schools have shown significant improvements in some subjects.

“The results are due to the commitment and hard work of the pupils, the dedication of teaching staff and the support of their families.”

“I would like to congratulate all of the students on their achievements and wish them every success in their future.”

Councillor Ken Rowlands, Cabinet Member for Education said: “I congratulate each individual student on their success. Many will be returning to continue their studies at school or college, some will continue their studies while undertaking an apprenticeship and some will be starting work. Parents should be rightly proud of their children’s results.

“I also acknowledge the hard work of teachers and the Local Authority for its contribution to supporting students in achieving these results. Clearly there are areas for improvement, but today this should not detract from celebrating the success of many of our young people.”

Carmarthenshire pupils were top of the class at GCSEs compared to the Welsh average.

Results showed that 68.1% of pupils achieved grades A* to C, an increase of 2% on last year, and higher than the Welsh average of 65.7%.

Some 6.3% of pupils gained A* compared to 6.1% nationally, and 20.7% of pupils were awarded A* and A, compared to the Welsh average of 19.2%.

Grades A* - G were achieved by 99.1% of Carmarthenshire pupils, a 0.2 % increase on last year.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s education executive board member Cllr Keith Davies said: “We wish to congratulate the large number of of pupils in Carmarthenshire who have achieved excellent results in their WJEC "GCSE" examinations.

“As in the WJEC “A” and ‘’AS’’ level results, the percentages for grades A*-C, and overall passes demonstrate a positive picture and have maintained the considerable achievements of previous years.

“Whilst paying tribute to their efforts and success, the council also wishes to acknowledge the dedication and support given to them by their schools, teaching, support staff and, naturally, the parents for whom today will be a proud day.

“The continued high standards achieved reflects the commitment of this authority and its schools and colleges in ensuring our young people are afforded every opportunity to achieve their full potential.”

Director for Education and Children’s services Rob Sully added: “These figures represent considerable effort and achievement by individual students, all of whom deserve our warmest congratulations.”