The 2012 A level results in the Island’s five secondary schools show a record proportion of passes at higher grades. The overall pass rate, at 96.3%, was slightly lower than in some recent years but the A*-B pass rate was the highest on record as was the percentage of passes at grade A and above. The number of UCAS points per entry was also at a record level.
In the five secondary schools, nearly 370 Year 13 students were entered for over 1260 A levels and more than 230 AS levels in over 40 subjects.
Some of the key details from the data that has been analysed today are as follows:
• The breadth of subjects available (over 40 separate titles) was in line with the record numbers of recent years. Subjects entered ranged from Critical Thinking and Classical Civilisations to Chemistry and Further Maths.
• The Island’s A level pass rate was 96.3%.
• A record 41.4% of entries achieved passes at higher grades A*-B, up on last year’s figure of 38.8%. Passes at A* and A grades were also at a record high.
• Using the UCAS tariff system (140 points for grade A*, 120 points for A, 100 for B, 80 for C, 60 for D, 40 for E) the average points score per entry, at 82 points, was the highest on record.
• The average points score per student, at 310 was equivalent to higher than three grade Bs.
Across the Island there have been some individual students who have achieved outstanding results with up to 5 grade A passes or 4 grade A* passes and gained entry to top universities (including Oxford and Cambridge). Three passes at grade A or above, a magnificent achievement, has been reached by a significant number of students.
Some Headteachers have made reference to students achieving excellent results despite extremely difficult personal circumstances. Secondary Adviser Paul Craine says: “As I have talked with the Island’s Headteachers throughout the day they have been hugely proud of students who have achieved against the odds. One student has a remarkable 3 grade A*s at A Level and 2 grade As at AS level despite having to cope with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Others had achieved despite very serious illnesses in their families.”
Media predictions were that students would struggle to get into their first or second choice universities this year if they fell even one grade below the conditional offer. Feedback from schools suggests that this has not happened. The vast majority of students have been placed in their firm or insurance choice universities.
It should be noted that these results for the Isle of Man are not directly comparable with the results that will be published in the UK this week. The initial UK results relate to all entrants and include mature students and students in colleges and independent schools whereas the Isle of Man data relate solely to 18 year olds in the five secondary schools.
Minister for Education and Children, Tim Crookall, said: ‘This is an excellent set of results. I would like to congratulate all of the Island’s A level students as well as their teachers. An average outcome equivalent to more than 3 grade Bs per student has not been achieved without a great deal of hard work on the part of both students and staff,
as well as considerable support from parents. Those who have obtained all A* and A grades have done remarkably well. It is a boost for the whole Island when we see our young people being so successful. Whether they are taking up university places or entering the world of work, I would like to wish them every success in the future’.
Photo caption - Seated on floor - Hannah Short, Seated Left to Right - Katie Craster, Matthew Cannell, Bethany Musson, Ealish Corlett, Standing Left to Right - Peter McGinn, Kim O’Driscoll, Ashleigh Simpson, Rory O’Shea, Suzanna Clague.
