Local figures have praised students in Cowbridge, who today received their A-level and AS-level results.

Due to the pandemic, in Wales, final grades were decided based on teacher assessments.

A record number of top results were posted across the country: the percentage of entries graded at A or A* was 48.3%.

This is a significant increase from 2020, when exams were first cancelled and almost twice as high as the 27.0% given top grades in 2019, the last year that traditional exams ran.

The local secondary school Cowbridge Comprehensive took to social media to praise its students: "Congratulations to all students on receiving your final confirmed A and AS results today. You should be very proud of your grades."

Cowbridge MP Alun Cairns also commended pupils on their achievements: "Well done to all pupils in the Vale of Glamorgan who received their results today," he said.

"After an incredibly challenging time, I hope that you received the results you had aimed for and I wish you the very best of luck on the next step of your journey, whether that is at university or starting an apprenticeship or the many other options available.

"You have already done brilliantly to navigate through this unprecedented time, so well done! Thank you also to our excellent teachers who have worked so hard to support our pupils."

South Wales Central MS Andrew RT Davies sent congratulations to Vale students today: "Whether you are heading off to university or out into the world of work, I wish you all the best of luck for the future.

"And remember, if you didn't do as well as you hoped, there are plenty of opportunities ahead.

"I should know as someone who left school without any qualifications at all!"

Cllr Lis Burnett, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: "After another extremely challenging year, I would like to congratulate all the young people that received their A and AS Level results today.

"They have had to cope with extraordinary circumstances and in many cases have overcome that adversity to achieve excellent grades.

"Our teachers and school leaders have ensured that the process undertaken over the last year has resulted in a fair and robust set of outcomes for our young people.

"On behalf of the Council, I would like to wish students the very best of luck in whatever they do next, whether continuing their studies in university or college or taking up employment."