The GCSE results of over 930 students in the Island’s secondary schools have yielded the highest pass rate on record at 98.5% (a 1% increase on 2008).
There was also a record number of passes at grades A and A* and a record number of A*-C passes in 50 separate examination titles.
Minister for Education, Anne Craine, comments "This is an excellent set of results.
"It is important that our young people succeed in gaining qualifications. The workplace is very competitive and whether they plan to take up employment now or continue in education to build on these foundations, today’s young people need to be confident, resilient, team-players with a range of strong skills.
"As with last week’s A levels, these excellent results only come about because our young people and their teachers have worked extremely hard and because parents have provided encouragement and support.
"I would like to congratulate the students on their success and encourage them to develop their skills even further in the years ahead.
"Their achievement is our gain as the Isle of Man needs a workforce of the highest quality.”
Paul Craine, Co-ordinating Advisor for 11-19 Education, adds, "GCSE results always contain some extraordinary personal achievements.
"Sometimes these are simply outstanding results: several students have achieved all A and A* grades with one student recording 13 A and A*s.
"But achievement takes other forms too. One blind student achieved a grade B in French, and some students who have struggled with illnesses in Year 11 have done well enough to secure 6th Form places.
"In their own way, these are outstanding achievements."
The range of courses available to students in 2009 was wider than ever and ranged from 'traditional' subjects such as sciences, history and geography to newer options such as economics, sociology and environmental studies. There were GCSEs gained in eight diffierent languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Manx, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian.
The results are not comparable with those of the UK, which actually incorporate those from Manx schools and also include 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 relates solely to 16 year olds in the Island’s five secondary schools.
The Department of Education is now keen to encourage young people to examine the wide range of options and opportunities open to them. The Schools, the Isle of Man College and the Department of Education’s Careers Office in St George’s Court, Hill Street, Douglas can all offer information and advice.
