STUDENTS from the Island's five secondary schools have achieved a record pass rate at GCSE level.

The pass rate – grades A*-G – was a record high at 98.7 per cent.

Over 5,800 full GCSE’s - 67.9 per cent - were passed at higher grades A*-C, which was up from last year.

A total of 1749 entries - 20.2 per cent - produced A or A* grades, again up on last year.

Reports from the schools suggest that a significant number of students have achieved eight or more A* or A grades.

A student who has not been named achieved five A grades, despite battling a serious illness.

Education Minister Eddie Teare MHK said: "As with last week’s A levels, I am delighted with the achievements of the Island’s young people and our schools.

"GCSEs provide a foundation. Whether our young people plan to take up employment now or continue in education or training, they can build on this foundation.

"Excellent results like these are the result of hard work by students and teachers and I would like to thank the staff in our schools for their commitment to the development of the Island’s young people.

"The achievement of our schools benefits us all as the Isle of Man needs a workforce of the highest quality."

Almost 920 students received their results on Tuesday. The results day had been brought forward throughout the UK to enable schools and colleges to process applications from students who wanted to continue into higher education, before the start of the new term.

These results are not comparable with those released in the UK, as the UK results include all exam entries from grammar schools, independent schools, FE colleges and the Isle of Man results.

The Isle of Man data relates solely to the students from the Island’s five secondary schools.

Also see: The Isle of Man's GCSE results - the facts