Llandovery College pupils are celebrating a strong set of GCSE results, following hot on the heels of last week's outstanding A-level and BTEC success. As a proudly non-selective school, we are delighted with this year's Year 11 outcomes - achieved by pupils across the full range of ability, each supported individually.
Measured against each pupil's own prediction
This year, for the first time, the College has carried out a detailed pupil-by-pupil analysis of GCSE outcomes, benchmarking every grade achieved against that pupil's individual Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) prediction made earlier in the year. It gives a clearer picture than ever of the progress every pupil has made, whatever their individual programme of study.
For parents unfamiliar with the term: CAT assessments are standardised, nationally recognised tests that measure reasoning ability across verbal, non-verbal and quantitative strands, rather than testing subject knowledge. Because CAT scores are not affected by how or where a pupil was taught before joining us, they give a fair, independent starting point from which teachers set ambitious individual targets - and a reliable way of measuring how far a pupil has since travelled, whatever their starting point.
of all grades met or beat the pupil's CAT prediction
of pupils met or beat their prediction in the majority of their subjects
of all grades at A*-C 33% at A*-A
of all grades at A*-G every single grade a pass
The 2026 results in full
- 89% of all GCSE grades achieved met or exceeded pupils' individual CAT predictions
- 96% of pupils met or exceeded their CAT prediction across the majority of their subjects
- 33% of all grades awarded were A*-A
- 83% of all grades awarded were A*-C
- 100% of all grades awarded were A*-G - every single grade was a pass
- 67% of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at A*-C
- 29% of pupils achieved five or more grades at A* or A
- 96% of pupils achieved at least five full GCSE passes (A*-G)
- 58% of pupils achieved five or more grades at A*-C including English and Mathematics
In keeping with the College's ethos of knowing and developing the individual, a number of pupils this year - working closely with their families - followed a programme matched to their own strengths and next steps, including sitting a smaller number of GCSEs. The CAT-benchmarked figures above reflect that, whatever a pupil's individual programme looked like, the overwhelming majority achieved to or beyond their potential.
Subject by subject
Several subjects recorded particularly strong performances. Biology, Physics and History all achieved 100% of grades at A*-C, with more than half of all Biology and History grades awarded at A* or A. Mathematics results were also excellent, with 88% of grades at A*-C, building on the subject's strong showing at A-level. Pupils who completed the BTEC First Award in Business all achieved at least a Merit, once again demonstrating the strength of vocational learning here, alongside the excellent BTEC Sport results announced at A-level.
Science outcomes were a highlight across the year group as a whole: 88% of pupils achieved at least one grade of C or above across Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Combined Science, with 38% securing at least one grade of A* or A.
Among the highest achievers, one pupil achieved eight grade A*s among a total of eleven GCSEs, with several others achieving eight or more grades at A* or A - excellent foundations for their next steps into the Sixth Form and beyond.
Distance travelled
The College has particular strength in supporting pupils who arrive having found aspects of their previous education challenging, including a number who join us from the state sector partway through their secondary education. Through individualised support - including the College's Academic Action Plan process, now extended to Year 11 - many of these pupils go on to achieve outcomes well beyond what might once have seemed possible. That is a source of particular pride here.
What the College says
"As a College, we are incredibly proud of these results and, most importantly, of our pupils. What has been particularly rewarding is hearing students speak so confidently about their own progress and development as individuals, and how many feel they have exceeded their own expectations and achieved ambitions they had set for themselves."
"It is sincerely heartwarming to reflect on the progress our pupils have made over the past two years, particularly given the incredibly busy lives that many within the College community lead beyond the classroom. For some, this includes spending extended periods away from College competing at the highest levels of sport; for others, it may involve demanding musical, dramatic or artistic commitments and performances. The dedication of our staff and the strength of our provision enable pupils to continue to develop and thrive in their chosen co-curricular pursuits while maintaining a strong academic focus."
"At the heart of our ethos is our commitment to knowing and developing the individual. We do not believe in asking every pupil to fit the same mould; instead, we seek to understand each young person, their strengths, aspirations and individual circumstances, and tailor their education and support accordingly. Today's results are a powerful testament to this commitment and provide clear evidence of what we truly value as a College: enabling every pupil to fulfil their individual potential, pursue their ambitions, and thrive as the person they are."
Dr Georgie Bevan · Acting Warden
"These are excellent results, particularly for a non-selective school. As those figures show, the overwhelming majority of our pupils met or exceeded their individual CAT predictions this year - a genuine reflection of how hard they have worked, whatever their individual programme of study looked like. That, to me, matters just as much as any single headline figure."
"We are also delighted with the strength of our mathematics and science results and the continued success of our vocational pathways, which show that whatever route a pupil is on, they are supported to achieve their very best. As ever, our focus now turns to welcoming our returning Year 11 pupils into the Sixth Form in September, alongside many new faces, as they continue their educational journey with us."
Miss Cressy Passmore · Deputy Warden (Academic)
The entire Llandovery College community congratulates all Year 11 pupils on their success, and wishes them every happiness as they embark on the next stage of their educational journey.
See our full results, year on year →
Read the 2026 A-level and BTEC results →
Read about the Sixth Form →
