Nearly four per cent of the Island’s population will be sitting GCSE, AS and A level exams over the next six or seven weeks.
In the Department’s five secondary schools:
- more than 900 Year 11 students are preparing for GCSEs and equivalent exams
- more than 700 Year 10 students are entered for just one or two GCSE subjects (perhaps science and/or maths) a year early
- more than 500 Year 12 students are entered for AS level exams
- nearly 400 Year 13 students are entered for A level exams.
At the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education, a further 240 students are entered for GCSEs and a similar number are entered for A and AS levels. Add in students at King William’s College, where the IB exams are already under way, and the number of students involved rises to more than 3,300. In addition, at the Isle of Man College there are many other students, of all ages, completing a wide range of vocational qualifications.
With more than 8,000 entries for GCSEs and equivalent qualifications in Year 11, the range of subject involved is once again considerable. GCSE titles range from Japanese to astronomy, but more than half of the entries are in just six subjects: maths, English, science, geography, history and modern languages. More than 3,000 AS and A level entries for 6th form students cover a range of subjects from fine art to further maths.
Tim Crookall MHK, Minister, recognises both the scale and the importance of the work ahead.
‘When you see the statistics laid out like this, you cannot help but recognise how many households on the Island are affected in one way or another by the round of summer exams,’ he said. ‘I know that schools, College and young people have worked exceptionally hard this year following last summer’s raised GCSE grade boundaries. These examinations are now tougher and everyone involved has had to raise their game.
‘I urge our young people to hold their focus over the next few weeks. In one sense, results in external exams are hugely important as they determine whether doors to future opportunities will open or close. In another sense, it is often possible to find an alternative route and our students should not worry unduly. All we can ask of them is that they do their best.
‘For those young people who get qualifications and have good interpersonal skills and a positive attitude, the employment opportunities in the Isle of Man remain very good. There are employers here just looking for the right young people to join their workforce.’
The Minister said:
‘I would like to wish all of the Island’s young people sitting exams over these next few weeks every success in what they are trying to achieve. I have every confidence that their hard work and determination will be rewarded with good results.’
He added:
‘I’d also like to pay tribute to the tremendous hard work of teaching staff in preparing young people for the challenges of the next few weeks and to parents, who are at home providing vital support and encouragement.’
