AN A LEVEL student from Carmarthenshire whose father passed away during her exams reckons he would be very proud of her after she achieved an A, B and C prior to enrolling at university to study paramedic science.
“I’m very pleased,” said Betsan Crisp of her results in health and social care, Welsh Baccalaureate and medical sciences. “Medical sciences was probably the hardest,” she said.
Aspiring paramedic and Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth student Betsan thanked her heads of sixth form, Rhiannon Daniel and Gwenllian Phillips, for their support in recent months. “They’ve always been there for me,” she said. Her father died in June.
Betsan, 18, of Cross Hands, has got an insight into the world of medical care after volunteering at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, for two days where she shadowed healthcare professionals. Her course at Swansea University starts next month. “I have always wanted to help people,” she said.
The morning of August 14 was a bit of a whirlwind for fellow student Trystan Lavery. He had envisaged studying medicine at university but didn’t receive an offer and so set his sights on economics instead.
He then found out he got As in biology, chemistry and maths and, not only that, offers to study medicine at Cardiff University and Bangor University. “I was not expecting to get an offer,” he said.
The 18-year-old said he was minded to pursue the economics option and has been looking at the London School of Economics, Imperial College London and Bristol University as preferred options. He said: “I’ve done a lot of research into it.” He added: “It’s quite weird finishing school.”
Betsan Lewis, meanwhile, had an unusual A level experience – she was the only student at Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth to study Welsh.
And she did particularly well, achieving an A* in the subject. She thanked her teacher, Dr Non Evans, for her guidance, and added: “I had to learn a lot of independent skills.” She hopes this will stand her in good stead for university.
Betsan also got an A* in Welsh Baccalaureate, an A in religious studies and B in music. “I’m really happy,” she said.
Betsan, 18, of Drefach, will be celebrating with friends and is off to Cardiff University in September to study Welsh and philosophy.
Arwyn Thomas, headteacher of the school in Cefneithin, near Cross Hands, paid tribute to students and the staff who taught them on a day when 10 of them achieved three or more A/A grades or equivalent.
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved and extend my best wishes to the students as they embark on the next stage of their careers,” he said.
“I would also wish the very best to a high percentage of our Year 13 students who are moving on to university, including a large percentage again this year to prestigious Russell group universities.
“Thank you also to our staff for all their hard work preparing the students and offering them many experiences.”
The students who achieved three or more A/A grades or equivalent were Ela Adams, Eleri Fox, Mali Garland, Trystan Lavery, Betsan Lewis, Llewelyn Rhys, Seren Weston, Tegwen Wilkinson and Ela Williams.
The 10th student to claim this accolade was Luke Smith. Luke, of Llandybie, is heading east to Bath University in September to study pharmacy after getting an A-star in maths, A in chemistry and biology, and C in Welsh Baccalaureate.
“Our chemistry teacher was off for quite a bit which was a bit of a struggle but apart from that it was okay,” Luke, 18, said of his A levels. He was happy with his results, which he said were pretty much as had been predicted. The pharmacy course is four years, with a further training year on top.
The number of A* grades in Wales rose slightly this year to 10.5%, while 29.5% of results were A or A*, compared with 29.9% in 2024. Maths was the most popular subject.
A big pat on the back for students across the country came from Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every student, alongside our dedicated teachers and education staff, whose commitment and effort have brought us to this moment,” she said.
“As you look towards your future, whether that involves starting an apprenticeship, entering employment, or beginning studies at university, I wish you ‘pob lwc’.”
