Key features of the provisional 2016 A level results
The 2016 A level results in the Department of Education and Children’s five secondary schools show a good percentage of passes at the top grade of A*, and also a high percentage of students gaining A*-B grades when compared with previous years. The overall pass rate of 98.1% was in line with last year and up on all other years since 2010.
In the five secondary schools, 344 Year 13 students were entered for more than 1,000 A levels and more than 80 AS levels in over 40 subjects.
Some of the key details from the results that have been analysed today are:
• The percentage of passes at the higher grades of A*-B, was 42%. This is an increase from 2015 and the third highest on record. 7.3% of Island students achieved the A* grade, slightly down from 8% last year but still one of the highest levels since the A* was introduced in 2010.
• The number of entries per student, at 3.3, was slightly lower than last year. In some previous years, entries have exceeded four per student but entries patterns at A level now reflect a greater focus on securing places at universities asking for three A levels grades as opposed to UCAS points.
• The breadth of subjects available (more than 40 separate titles) was proportionate with recent years. Subjects entered ranged from economics and music technology to environmental science and classical civilisations.
• The Island’s A level pass rate was 98.1%. This was in line with 2015, and up on all other years since 2010.
• 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 subject entry, at 84.2 is higher than all previous years since 2010.
Across the Island there have been some individual students who have achieved outstanding results, with a number of students recording four grade A* and A passes.
Joel Smith, School Improvement Adviser, said: ‘I have been in contact with all five of the secondary headteachers this afternoon and their feedback has been very positive. It seems that the vast majority of students have done very well and obtained places at their first choice, or insurance choice, university. The UK has seen a 3% rise in the number of university places achieved which can only be good news for Isle of Man students. At this stage there is a small number of students awaiting the decisions of their chosen universities through the clearing system.’
Headteachers have remarked on the high attainment of particular students.
One student received top grades in all four of his subjects and managed to score 100% in all four of his A level maths papers. Another student received 4 A* grades and an A grade meaning she can go straight into the second year reading chemical engineering at Edinburgh University.
Headteachers were also quick to praise those students who have come through considerable adversity to achieve excellent results. One such student was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition two years ago. Through regular visits to Alder Hey Hospital and using a wheelchair and then crutches, this student defied physical challenges to achieve his desired results.
One full class of English students all gained A*-C grades. This is made all the more impressive in the knowledge their teacher sadly died earlier this year after a brave battle with cancer. This achievement is testimony to that teacher’s dedication and the student’s perseverance and resilience.
It should be noted that these results for the Isle of Man are provisional and 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 DEC’s five secondary schools.
Tim Crookall MLC, Minister for Education and Children, was equally pleased with the overall results.
‘Outcomes like we have seen in today’s results are enormously important for the Isle of Man. I would like to congratulate our students and schools on today’s excellent A level results,’ he said. ‘These positive outcomes are the culmination of a great deal of hard work on the part of both students and staff, as well as considerable support from parents.
‘Whether these young people are taking up university or college places, or entering the employment sectors, I would like to wish them every success in the future. I would also like to remind those heading off to university that the Isle of Man has excellent employment opportunities on offer to them when they have completed their studies.’
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