CARDIFF has seen an improvement in GCSE results this year as the final secondary school entrants who returned to face-to-face teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic go on to the next chapter of their lives.
According to provisional GCSE data released on Thursday 2025 results in Cardiff are above 2019 outcomes prior to the adaptations made to the Welsh qualification system.
Results have also improved compared to 2024, which marked the final step in returning to pre-pandemic arrangements.
Data on GCSE results published by Cardiff Council shows A-G grades are 96.8%, which is up from 96.1% in 2024; A- C grades are 68%, which is up from 67.4% in 2024; and A-A grades are 26.4%, which is up from 26% in 2024.
Teenagers flooded into the main hall of Mary Immaculate High School in Caerau at 9am on Thursday, August 21, to see how they’d done.
Among them was Azza Alkoko, 16, who was shaking as she opened her results.
“I had a good feeling about all my results but I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” said Azza, who ended up receiving four As, two Cs, and 12 Bs.
The deputy head girl came to Cardiff from Syria with her mother and brother when she was just nine years old, adding: “We had to go somewhere where I was able to get a future.”
When asked about her long term future Azza said her ambition is to eventually study law at Oxford.
Another pupil at Mary Immaculate, Ifeomo Okafor, explained how it had been a difficult year at school. Her father died while she was studying for her GCSE exams. “
The time leading up to maths it was very shaky for me,” said Ifeomo, 16.
“I had to go to Nigeria before my exams to go to my dad’s funeral”.
Talking about her results she said: “I was extremely nervous. I actually told my mum a few weeks ago that I didn’t want to see what I got.”
Despite the challenges she face, Ifeomo went on to achieve six Bs and three Cs and hopes her next step will be sixth form at Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School.
She said her dream is to eventually become a commercial airline pilot.
Twins Jose and Felipe Orbezo said they had a nerve-racking bus ride from Grangetown to get their results.
Jose got two As, four As, two Bs, and two Cs. Felipe got three As, three Bs, a C, and two distinctions.
The brothers – one a Liverpool fan and the other an Arsenal fan – said they’re competitive when it comes to their results but also know when to support each other.
“He’s better than me at maths so sometimes I ask for help,” said Felipe, who in turn helps his brother with other subjects like religious studies.
Jose said he’s “really proud” of himself and looks forward to studying at St David’s College.
Both brothers, 16, will go on to do the same subjects at A-level with the hope of pursuing careers in medicine.
Kejetan Jantura, 16, said he was also happy with his results, which will see him go on to study at St David’s College. Kejetan, who lives in Cardiff, said he took two buses to get to school where he received four As, four As and pass grades in additional maths and Welsh baccalaureate.
“I had decent results last year,” said Ketejan, who is a keen boxer and wants to go on to study sports science. “I was hoping it would be the same [this time].”
Cindy Dong was one of the top performers at Mary Immaculate this year.
She got six As, three As, and a B. However she didn’t seem entirely happy with this.
“I feel like I could have done better,” said the 16-year-old, who travelled from Caerphilly to get her results.
Cindy, who eventually wants go on to become a biochemist, said she was “really nervous” and barely got any sleep the night before results came out.
Despite her initial disappointment the results will be enough to take Cindy on to her next step which will be sixth form at Cardiff High School. There she hopes to study biology, chemistry, and maths at A-level.
Mary Immaculate High said it saw another increase in A and A grades being awarded to GCSE pupils this year, in particular among pupils with English as an additional language.
A spokesperson for the school said: “The school is also pleased that the gap between the achievement of our FSM [free school meal] and non-FSM pupils has continued to decrease – further evidence of the excellent work that the school undertakes to support our most disadvantaged pupils.
“The gap between boys and girls has also decreased with boys showing an improvement in their results this year.
“In addition when compared to 2019, the year prior to the Covid pandemic, the school has continued to outperform in all measures.
“Our capped nine points core has also increased by 13 points compared to 2024 outcomes.”
Many GCSE pupils across Cardiff have been awarded grades in the National/Foundation Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate) as well as the National/Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate this year.
The Skills Challenge Certificate offers learners aged 14–16 an opportunity to strengthen and develop essential skills and employability competencies in preparation for their next steps either further education, training, or employment.
Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: “On behalf of the local authority I would like to warmly congratulate Cardiff’s pupils who are receiving their GCSEs and all other qualification results today.
“These achievements reflect their commitment, effort, and determination.
“It is particularly pleasing to see Cardiff’s performance continue to improve with A*–A GCSE grades well above the Welsh average and above our results for both 2019 and 2024.
“As pupils move forward, whether into further education, employment, or training, I wish them every success in the next stage of their journey.
“I would also like to extend my gratitude to schools, teachers, and staff across the city for their unwavering dedication and support in helping young people reach their full potential.”
