There is diversity in education in Newport, but schools of all types are producing some impressive examination results. IAN CRAIG reports.

ALL children deserve the best education possible.

Luckily here in Newport we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to great schools, with more than 30 rated ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ by Estyn.

This was borne out in some stunning exam results in the city this summer, with 63.8 per cent of GCSE pupils achieving grades A* to C and 97.7 per cent graded between A* and G.

Meanwhile the number of A-level students achieving a pass grade of between A* and E was higher than the Welsh average at 97.4 per cent, up from 97.1 per cent last year. The number of students gaining at least one A* grade was also higher than the Welsh average at 6.9 per cent, a massive increase from last year’s 5.9 per cent.

Head teacher at The John Frost School, formerly Duffryn High, Jon Wilson said he was “delighted” by the school’s success this year.

“We had our best-ever GCSE results by more than nine per cent,” he said.

“We had nearly 80 per cent getting at least five A* to C grades and we had no one at all leaving here with no qualifications.

“That’s really important, but it’s not something which is usually looked at.

“I am led to believe Newport is going places.”

It’s been a landmark year for the school in Lighthouse Road, which underwent a rebrand over the summer, complete with striking new uniforms, and a new classroom block currently under construction, as well as a refurbishment for some of the existing buildings.

Mr Wilson said he believed Newport was unique in its approach to separate schools working together for the benefit of youngsters.

“Sometimes we can create an environment for schools which is too competitive,” he said.

“There are quite a few people in Newport City Council and their education department that are working very hard to improve this and get people working together.

“We can see the benefit from that – I’ve already had one meeting with another Newport school discussing our results and how we can learn from them and they from us.”

With 14 years under his belt Mr Wilson is by far the longest-serving head teacher in Newport, and he said this gave him a unique perspective on the city’s schools.

“Fourteen years ago this city was quite down on its luck and quite down on itself,” he said.

“It’s completely different now.”

Another school which had good reason to celebrate this summer was Rougemont School in Malpas Road, which enjoyed its best-ever GCSE results and some outstanding A-levels.

Head teacher Robert Carnevale said he and his colleagues were “absolutely delighted” with how much pupils had achieved.

“Our GCSE results were record breaking for the school, with 35 per cent achieving A* grades,” he said.

“A* and A grades were received by 58 per cent of pupils, compared with 23 per cent nationally, and a fantastic 98 per cent received at least five A* to C grades, including English and maths, compared with 52 per cent nationally.

“To have achieved our best ever A* results is a true indication of the commitment of our pupils and staff and has meant a great start to the academic year.”

Mr Carnevale added he was also pleased with the school’s A and AS level results, where 43 per cent achieved A* and A grades, almost twice the national average of 26 per cent.

“With figures showing an increase on last year’s results this is a great indication of the dedication of our pupils and staff towards constant improvement, something that all schools continually strive for,” he said.

“At Rougemont what is also rewarding is to have seen so many of our exam students progress from the school nursery where they joined us at three years old, to now reach these critical points in their educational journey and excel in their chosen subjects.

“We look forward now to another exciting academic year for all our pupils and hope for continued success when results are announced next summer.”

And as if young people weren’t already spoiled for choice in Newport, the city’s first-ever Welsh-language secondary school, Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed Casnewydd, opened to pupils for the first time this month.

Although the development of the school, currently under construction at the site of The John Frost School, hit a roadbump after Newport City Council’s Planning Committee blocked the plans in February, this was overturned and it was given the green light in May.

In the meantime pupils are temporarily based at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teymon in Brynglas.

Head teacher Rhian Dafydd said she was delighted the school, which takes pupils from both Newport and Monmouthshire, had finally opened its doors.

“We are very grateful to Newport City Council for all their hard work so far, and also to Monmouthshire for their support and contributions,” she said.

“We are delighted that we are open and we feel Newport is now truly taking its place in the cities of Wales.”

Newport City Council’s cabinet member for education and young people Councillor Gail Giles said the authority was “committed to giving our young people the best possible start in life”.

“Newport can certainly boast hard working pupils, dedicated teachers and truly supportive parents,” she said.

“And together we are striving to ensure each young person is given every opportunity to develop and thrive.”

But she said she recognised there was always room for improvement.

“We are working hard to improve attendance levels which we know impacts greatly on pupils’ results and, together with the education achievement service, we are always looking at new and innovative ways to make all stages of learning effective and enjoyable,” she said.

Cllr Giles added she was particularly proud of the diversity within Newport’s schools and the city as a whole.

“In some of the city’s schools there are 119 languages spoken, from Arabic to Zulu, and we have been praised for the ways in which we support and nurture the development of young people from all backgrounds and cultures,” she said.

“In addition we have opened the city’s first Welsh medium secondary school, Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, which will deliver up to 900 places in future years, meeting the growing demand for Welsh medium education.

“We want the pupils of today to have the skills and ambition to pursue successful careers in the future whether it is higher education, apprenticeships or in the increasingly wide range of employment opportunities Newport can provide including high-spec, professional jobs.”