Laura Doel, Director of NAHT Cymru said: “Yet again, the grades awarded at GCSE level today are a testimony to the hard work and dedication of learners throughout Wales. This is a milestone moment for this cohort; this is the first time they have been through a nationally-recognised grading process and they have done so in the most extraordinary of circumstances. We congratulate them on everything they've achieved.

“We should all have the confidence that these results were awarded through a rigorous evidenced-based process by the people who know them best academically - their teachers.

“We cannot underestimate the role of schools in this process and our whole education workforce should be commended for all they have done to support learners.

“Many of these young people will be going on to study AS/A levels and therefore our attention must be turned to support them into this phase of learning.

“We owe it to these learners to look at the exam process and make sure we have a system that is equitable and supports the ambition for the New Curriculum of Wales.”