Vale of Glamorgan schools have once again received an outstanding set of GCSE examination results, with pupils from the County performing way above the Welsh and regional averages.

Following on from last week's A Level success, 27.1 per cent of students from the Vale achieved A* or A grades, which was 8.7 per cent higher than the average across the Country and 6.8 per cent above the average across Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale.

And the Vale also produced impressive figures compared to the Welsh and regional averages in a number of other categories.

1. 3 percent of entrants in the Vale achieved grades A* to C and 98.4 per cent A* to G compared to figures across Wales of 62.8 percent and 97.2 percent respectively.

The regional average was 63.6 percent and 96.9 per cent in these areas.

A host of Vale schools also achieved noteworthy individual successes.

At Llantwit Major Comprehensive, 65.6 per cent of pupils achieved grades A* to C, 14.7 per cent up on last year, while Pencoedtre's figure for this performance indicator rose from 49.9 percent to 57.7 percent and St Richard Gwyn's from 59.9 percent to 67.3 percent.

Cowbridge Comprehensive saw 43.2 per cent of pupils gain A* to A grades, 88.9 per cent A* to C and 100 per cent A* to G.

The percentage of A* - A grades at Bro Morgannwg increased by 4 per cent to 34.5 per cent, whilst St Richard Gwyn increased by 7.6 per cent to 23.3 per cent.

These accomplishments come a week after Vale schools also enjoyed significant A Level triumphs, when a quarter of all students achieved the top two grades and a number of other performances indicators were also above the Welsh and regional averages.

Cllr Lis Burnett, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: "Vale schools have once more excelled when it comes to examination performance and everyone involved should be immensely proud of their achievements.

"Coupled with last week's A Level success, this has been a hugely successful summer for the County's pupils and the educational staff that have supported them and I'd like to pass on my sincere congratulations to all.

"Such strong GCSE results indicate there are very many Vale pupils with bright futures ahead of them and I wish them all every success as they embark on the next step of that journey."