Pupils celebrated A-level results day on Thursday as hundreds of youngsters picked up their results.

In Aberystwyth at Penglais School more than a quarter of all grades achieved were at A*/A, with 54 per cent A*-B and 73 per cent A*- C.

Delighted headteacher Mair Hughes said the “results are a testament to the hard work of the students and staff and the support of the parents”.

Eighty per cent of pupils at Ysgol Penweddig secured a place at their first choice of university, with 29.1 per cent of results being awarded A*-A and 73 per cent A*-C.

Acting headteacher Rhian Morgan said: “We are proud of all our pupils’ achievements. Their success is testimony to the hard work and co-operation between pupils, staff, parents and guardians.”

Throughout Ceredigion, pupils continue to outperform the Welsh average, with 97.9 per cent of pupils achieving grade A* to E, with 27.9 per cent of the entries achieving the top A grades.

There were smiles all round at Lampeter’s Ysgol Bro Pedr as 98 per cent of grades awarded to students studying two or more A-levels were A*-E; 79 per cent were A*- C.

“This is an incredible achievement, especially when one considers the competitive nature of many of these Russell Group University courses,” said headteacher Jane Wyn.

It was a similar story at Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron.

“I would like to congratulate the pupils who have worked diligently to achieve their best,” said headteacher Owain Jones.

“The results reflect the commitment, hard work and co-operation between pupils, staff, and parents and guardians.”

At Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, 20 per cent of the grades awarded were at A*-A and almost 60 per cent of the grades were awarded at A*-B.

Headteacher Nicola James said: “The staff and governors are very proud of every one of our students and we congratulate them all on these excellent results.”

Wales-wide, attainment of top grades A* and A rose to 27 per cent – an historic high.

Results remained stable at A*-C, with the overall pass rate of 76.3 per cent – still at the highest level since 2009.

Read our full story and see more pictures from A-level results day in this week’s Cambrian News, on sale tomorrow