This is the first year pupils have taken the new Welsh second language GCSE following the removal of the short-course option. It's more challenging, but the rise in entry numbers has resulted in a 12.5 per cent increase of learners attaining A* to C in the full-course qualification. This year, an additional 1,500 learners sat GCSE science exams, building on last year's significant uptake as well. And this continuing culture change is a consequence of the move away from blanket entries into vocational science qualifications at 16. Entry practices have stabilised this year, it's proved a positive response from schools to the revised early-entry policy announced in 2018. It means that fewer of our learners are being made to sit exams before they're ready, and it means less stress.

And if I turn briefly to the 2019 A-level results, this year's A-level results in Wales are at a historic high. A record number of students achieved A* and A grades, with Wales outperforming all English regions and Northern Ireland in the numbers achieving the very highest grade. Record-breaking results achieved through the hard work of students and teachers. And in contrast, by the way, the proportion of A-level entries awarded A grade and higher has fallen to the lowest for more than a decade in England and Northern Ireland—just by way of contrast.

But let's turn to the issue of raising school standards in my closing comments. This national mission of Welsh Government for education is seeking to raise standards, reduce the attainment gap and deliver an education system that is a source of national pride. Reforms already introduced, such as the literacy and numeracy framework, the new professional standards for teachers, the strengthened initial teacher training provision, the formative assessment arrangements and the establishment, critically, of a national academy for educational leadership, all of these are pointing in the right direction. We cannot ever be complacent, but I say, Deputy Presiding Officer, in closing, I wish the very best of the Christmas season to all of our students and our teachers and governors. Have a well deserved break and the very best for a happy and successful 2020, building on the steady progress we're making, close in partnership with a Welsh Government who are ambitious for educational outcomes and ambitious for our young people in Wales.