Monmouthshire’s young people have plenty to celebrate this summer, having once again performed exceptionally well in their exams.

GCSE results in our schools were comfortably ahead of the Welsh average, including at the highest grades.

The longer-term picture is equally encouraging, with results in Monmouthshire continuing to improve year by year. Our A-level students have also achieved excellent results, outperforming both Wales and the UK at the highest grades, with our overall pass rate also above Welsh and UK averages.

Across the county, young people are now taking those achievements with them to universities, apprenticeships, employment and other opportunities.

The results tell a fantastic story. Monmouthshire continues to be among the strongest-performing areas in Wales significantly above national averages.

That success belongs first and foremost to our young people and to the talented and committed teachers and school staff who support them every day. Behind every result is a young person who has worked hard, supported by dedicated teachers, school staff and families. Their achievements have given our whole county real reason to be proud. An example of Monmouthshire United.

As a council, we have a responsibility to create the conditions in which our schools can succeed. That means making education a priority not just in words, but when difficult decisions are being made about where we invest public money.

Since Monmouthshire became Labour-led, that is exactly what we have done. We put an additional £2.5 million into schools in 2023/24 and increased education funding by a further £2.4 million the following year.

In 2025/26, we delivered an 11.3% increase in education funding - the largest percentage increase of any council in Wales - including another £1 million directly for school budgets. Our commitment has continued this year, with another £1 million invested in our schools alongside wider investment in Additional Learning Needs, Welsh-medium education and support for children and young people.

These are deliberate choices. Local government has faced enormous financial pressures in recent years, but we have consistently chosen to protect and prioritise education because there are few more important investments than giving our children and young people the best possible start in life.

This summer’s results show what can be achieved when talented young people, excellent school staff and sustained investment come together. They are something for the whole county to celebrate and they strengthen our determination to keep investing in education, raising aspirations and creating opportunities for every child.

So my congratulations to the Class of 2026. Your achievements are outstanding and Monmouthshire is incredibly proud of you.