Pupils at Monmouth School for Boys and Monmouth School for Girls are celebrating an excellent set of A level results.For the boys, a total of 43.5% of all grades were A* to A – comfortably rising above the national average of 26.4%.Twenty-two boys have achieved three or more A* to A grades and 64.7% of all grades achieved were A* to B as the hard work and dedication of Sixth Form students and staff at Monmouth paid off.Deputy Head of School, William Telling, led the way with three A*s and an A to secure his place at University College London.William, who lives in the Osbaston area of Monmouth, has secured his grades to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics.However, William said: “I am considering whether to take a gap year before applying for a place at Oxford, so I have some big decisions to make.“I want to thank all the teaching staff at Monmouth for their help and support over the years and it’s hard to believe this is my last day here.”He added: “I am a superstitious person and I followed the same routine as I did for my GCSE results and came in to pick up my results personally.“I collected my envelope, found a quiet corner at the William Jones Building and then opened it. I am delighted with the results.”Deputy Head of School, Oliver Jones, who had a starring role as the ruthless policeman Javert in the outstanding musical production of Les Misérables, was awarded three As.Oliver, a keen musician with the lower strings, is currently in Australia and is planning to take a year out before applying to study Medicine.Samuel Beard, from St Briavels in the Forest of Dean, achieved two A*s and an A and will be reading Engineering at Durham University, while James Bell-Thomas, who lives in Monmouth, secured an A* and three As.Dr Andrew Daniel, Headmaster of Monmouth School for Boys, said: “We are delighted that the majority of our boys achieved the grades to take up places at their first choice universities, including the elite Russell Group Universities, to study a broad cross-section of subjects.“A total of 43.5% of all grades were A* to A which is comfortably above the national average of 26.4%.“At Monmouth, the boys work extremely hard in their academic studies, and achieve results, alongside being involved in many other activities that contribute to our co-curricular programme.”A level pupils at Monmouth School for Girls celebrated having 45.7% of all of their grades at A* to A – well above the national average of 26.4%.

75.3% of all grades were A* to B, an improvement in the results from 2017, and the A* rate was 17.4%, again exceeding the national average.

The school was particularly pleased that the vast majority of pupils gained their first or second choice place at university.Helena Peacock, from Devauden near Chepstow, achieved three A*s and will be heading to the prestigious Jesus College, Oxford, to read English.“I am excited to be going to Oxford and it’s great to see that many of my friends did very well in their exams too.”Head Girl, Erin McInnes Willard, from Shirenewton near Chepstow, was awarded two A*s and an A and will be taking up a Liberal Arts degree at Durham University. “My alarm went off at 6am and I quickly checked my results on the internet. I had a very busy and fulfilling year as Head Girl and I am delighted to round it off in this way. I enjoy writing and current affairs and would like to perhaps work in journalism in the future.”Annie Harlow, from Llanrothal in Herefordshire, was awarded two A*s and an A and will be taking a gap year before heading to the University of Bristol to read Veterinary Science.She was captain of the hockey team and works at Drybridge Vets in Monmouth every other Saturday to gain valuable experience.“I am hoping to travel to somewhere like Ecuador in my gap year to work with animals,” she said.“I have wanted to be a vet since I was about three years old so I am excited about the future.”And Elin Meek, from Monmouth, registered two A*s and an A to take up Marine Biology at University of Plymouth. Rosie Badley, from Welsh Newton Common, was also among the top achievers, securing two A*s and an A to study Modern Foreign Languages at the University of Bristol. I joined the school in Year 9 and I am looking forward to studying in Bristol. I didn’t know my results until I came to school to open the envelope,” said Rosie, a keen musician.“I will be reading French, German and Italian at university. I don’t have a definite career plan at the moment so I am going to enjoy the course and see where it takes me.”Acting Head at Monmouth School for Girls, Mr Tom Arrand, said: “It is a huge relief when the hard work of pupils pays off and the girls achieve their personal best.“I also want to thank the dedication and hard work of the teaching staff.“45.7% of all grades were A* to A which was above and beyond the national average of 26.4% and is testament to the hard work and passion of our staff and pupils.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.