Welsh GCSE results: Is 'stable' enough?

This year's GCSE results have been described as 'stable' Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

This year's GCSE results in Wales have been described as 'stable', with the levels of A* to C similar to the past two years.

It follows years of what has been referred to as an 'unprecedented' focus on school standards and performance by the Welsh Government.

In comparison with 2015 results:

  • A* results are up to 6.1%

  • A* and A results up to 19.4%

  • A* to C is unchanged at 66.6%

  • A* to G is unchanged at 98.7%

Watch Megan Boot's report:

When asked if 'stable' was enough, the Education Secretary Kirsty Williams AM, told ITV News:

Kirsty Williams talks about the GCSE results Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Next year will see reforms in GCSEs and A Levels, which means it will be harder to compare Wales' results with other areas of the UK:

Cefn Hengoed, in Swansea, has seen their best GCSE results ever Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Though the teachers' union UCAC suggest caution, one of the ways Wales can be compared to other areas of the UK, is in the PISA results, which tests 15 year olds across the World in key subjects.

Results are due in December, but Kirsty Williams has admitted she does not expect Wales to improve on their 2012 results, which saw the country fall behind other areas of the UK.

Today, another union, the NASUWT said this year's GCSE and Welsh Baccalaureate results show standards have been maintained across Wales.

They added this was achieved "against a backdrop of school reorganisation, job loss and the constraints on funding to ensure that pupils did not suffer any disadvantage.

Overall, this summer's results at A Level and GCSE have remained 'stable', but the Education Secretary says she is looking for improvement next year.