I am confident that the system overseen by Qualifications Wales (QW) and WJEC, in response to the current emergency, is fair for students and robust in what it measures and signals to employers and universities. However, governments in other parts of the United Kingdom have introduced changes to their systems and we must make sure that these alterations do not disadvantage Welsh students. Students in Wales, and prospective employers and universities across the UK, can be assured that their A Level grades reflect…

Buraq Ahmed, who left his parents in Iraq to travel to the UK with his grandmother to be treated for congenital hip dysplasia, has gone against the odds and achieved a place at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge to study Medicine having achieved A* in Biology, A* in Chemistry, A* in Economics and A* in Maths in his A Level results announced today. Leaving his parents who sold their home to finance the trip in order for Buraq to access medical services…

Twins, Arianne and Enyala Banks (18) from Cardiff, are celebrating today as they both win places at Oxford University. The girls, who are students at Cardiff Sixth Form College, have however chosen very different courses to study.  Arianne who gained A* in French, A* in Politics, A* in History and A* in Biology is off to study Law with French Law at Mansfield College and Enyala who gained A* in Maths, A* in Physics, A* in Chemistry and A* in…

Begw Rowlands of Cardiff – Photographer Huw John   An aspiring actress from Cardiff says the pandemic has given her more time to think about her future, as she prepares to collect her A-Level results this summer. Until the coronavirus pandemic hit, Begw Rowlands, 17, was planning on heading to drama school in September. Now she’s planning on taking a year out to volunteer at a local theatre and decide what she wants to do long-term. Begw, who attended Ysgol…

Ceri Jones of Cardiff  –  Photographer Huw John   An 18-year-old from Cowbridge whose trip to work abroad was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, is hopeful things will be back to normal when he starts his degree in 2021. Ceri Vaughan Jones was always planning to take a year out from his studies before starting his degree in Business Management and Spanish. While the pandemic hasn’t changed his plans, it has meant the postponement of his year working abroad…

UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, have launched a film about the impact social entrepreneurs are making across four areas that UnLtd has been supporting thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery: North Staffordshire, the South Wales Valleys, Brighton and Dundee. Since 2018 UnLtd and Postcode Innovation Trust have been working on the Resilient Communities programme. Together they have been enabling social entrepreneurs to develop their impact in these communities: funding social business ideas, building collaboration, and providing access…

Macmillan Cancer Support is asking people to host a Macmillan Coffee Morning to fund vital support for people living with cancer as the annual event turns 30. Traditionally, Macmillan Coffee Morning has seen thousands of people across Wales tuck into cakes and enjoy a cuppa with pals, neighbours and strangers. This year the charity is appealing for people to get involved at a time when it needs people’s support more than ever to be there for people with cancer. Covid-19…

Top Welsh restaurateurs and hospitality bosses have thrown their weight behind the Welsh #nomorenoshows campaign today – to stop the hundreds of millions in lost revenue. As the sector slowly tries to get back on its feet following Covid-19, hospitality bosses are warning that no-shows, estimated to cost Welsh businesses £540m a year, could prove just as crippling as the pandemic itself. The industry is now facing the prospect of having to cut 30,000 jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic,…

The Stroke Association has launched a new volunteer-run telephone support service to help stroke survivors who are feeling lonely or isolated. Here for You provides stroke survivors and their carers with regular telephone support and the charity wants to attract more volunteers to help rebuild lives after stroke. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that all Stroke Association Groups in Wales have been unable to meet, meaning stroke survivors are missing the vital support from other people who’ve had a stroke….

Mary Berry, President of the National Garden Scheme is launching a major event that will celebrate the importance that everyone’s gardens have acquired during Coronavirus and to raise vital funds for the nursing charities supported by the National Garden Scheme.    Speaking about this exciting initiative Mary said: “Gardens, allotments and balconies became havens for millions of people during the long weeks of lockdown. They have provided us with relief from stress, anxiety and isolation and shown us the importance of a breath of fresh air. At…