Key features of the provisional 2011 GCSE results The provisional GCSE results obtained in the Island’s five secondary schools in 2011 are again strong. In most respects the results were only bettered by last year’s record results. The overall pass rate (A*-G) is in line with last year’s record. The proportion of entries achieving higher grade passes (A*-C) was the second highest on record as were both the proportion of entries passing at top grades A*-A and the total point score per student. Key Details 860 Year 11 students were entered for GCSEs and equivalent qualifications in the Island’s five secondary schools in 2011, once again with entries in approximately 50 separate examination titles ranging from Applied Science to Performing Arts. Nearly every student was entered for Maths and English and the vast majority of students also had at least one entry in Science. Additional subjects with more than 300 entries included ICT, Geography, History and Religious Education. The total number of full GCSE (or equivalent) entries was in excess of 8,200. 91% of these entries were in GCSE subjects, the remainder were mainly BTEC First Diplomas or BTEC First Certificates or Diplomas in Digital Application. A further 425 entries were for short course GCSEs (worth 0.5 of a full GCSE), a smaller number than in previous years. On average each student was entered for the equivalent of 9.9 GCSEs, slightly up on 2010 but not as high as the previous 2 years. Provisional analysis shows: Once again the A*-G pass rate for full course GCSEs exceeded 98%, with 98.9% of entries being successful (equal to last year’s record). 19.1% of the entries produced A or A* grades (slightly below last year’s record figure of 20.2%) 67.2% of the full GCSE entries were passed at the higher grades, A*-C (the second highest on record). The average number of subjects entered, at 9.9 GCSE (or equivalent) entries per student, was slightly up on last year. The GCSE points score per student at 393 points per student was also the second highest on record (A*=58 points, A=52, B=46, C=40, D=34, E=28, F=22, G=16). GCSE results always contain some extraordinary personal achievements. Some of the outstanding results today include individual students with more than 10 A*s and numerous students from right across the Island who have achieved 10 or more GCSE passes at A or A*. Achievement takes other forms too and Headteachers have highlighted individual students who have overcome learning difficulties and personal challenges to obtain excellent results. In most subjects, 2011 was the first year in which GCSE coursework has been replaced by ‘controlled assessment’. This provided for closer supervision and tighter time limits on pupils’ independent work. In practice, the change seems to have had little impact on overall results. The results published here are not comparable with results released in the UK this week. The UK results include all exam entries, including those from students in the Isle of Man as well as also included are grammar schools, independent schools and FE Colleges where some of the candidates may be mature adults sitting just one GCSE. The Isle of Man data relate solely to 16 year olds on roll in the Island’s five secondary schools. Minister for Education, Hon Eddie Teare MHK said: ‘Following on from last week’s successful A level results, I am delighted with the GCSE achievements of the Island’s young people and our schools. GCSE success open doors. Most of our young people will continue in education or training and the better their results, the more doors will be open to them. I would like to congratulate the students and their supportive families on their success and encourage our young people to build on their skills in the years ahead. I would also like to thank the staff in our schools and the Department of Education and Children for their commitment to the development of the Island’s young people. The Isle of Man needs a workforce of the highest quality and the whole Island benefits from the achievement of our schools.’ ENDS