STUDENTS from the Island's five secondary schools are celebrating this afternoon after receiving their GCSE results.
Provisional results show that this year the overall pass rate – grades A* to G – exceeded 98 per cent with 98.9 per cent of entries being successful.
The proportion of entries achieving higher grade passes – A* to C – was the second highest on record at 67.2 per cent.
19.1 per cent of entries produced A* or A grades which was slightly below last year's record figure of 20.2 per cent.
Education and Children Minister Eddie Teare 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 opens 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."
860 students received their results today which mark the culmination of two years of study in school years 10 and 11.
The total number of full GCSE (or equivalent entries) was in excess of 8,200. 91 per cent of these entries were in GCSE subjects with the remainder mainly in BTEC First Diplomas or BTEC First Certificates or Diplomas in Digital Application.
On average each student was entered for the equivalent of 9.9 GCSEs which is slightly up on last year. There were entries in approximately 50 subjects and those with more than 300 entries include geography, history and religious education.
Some students in the Island have excelled by gaining more than 10 A* grades and others who achieved 10 or more GCSE passes at A* or A. Headteachers have also highlighted a number of pupils who have overcome learning difficulties and personal challenges to obtain excellent results.
The GCSE results from the Isle of Man are not comparable with results released in the UK as the UK results include all exam entries, including those from students in the Isle of Man as well as grammar schools, independent schools and colleges where some of the candidates may be mature adults sitting just one GCSE.
