TWO PUPILS from Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw school have been celebrating, after their exceptional A-level results earned them places in Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Childhood friends Chris Williamson (Pictured) and Agnes Jones, who both went to Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni in Abergavenny prior to attending Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw in Pontypool, have both secured their dream place in the university of their choice.

Chris, from Blaenavon, achieved a phenomenal five A*s in maths, further maths, chemistry, physics and music. He also passed the Welsh Baccalaureate, which is the equivalent of an A at A-level, and he is now set to study maths at St Edmund Hall, a college of Oxford University.

He said: "I wasn't expecting it, I was just hoping for the best. It was a lot of hard work, but I am really happy it has paid off."

All his lessons were conducted in the Welsh medium and Chris admits that he had an affinity with numbers at an early age.

Meanwhile, Agnes is going to St Catharine's College at Cambridge University to study theology and religious studies. She earned an A* in maths and As in English literature and religious studies, as well as passing the Welsh Baccalaureate.

Rebecca Large, aged 16, also attends the school and took her maths A level two years early and obtained an A*. She also took her AS examinations a year early and obtained four A grades in further maths, economics, geography and Welsh language.