Key features of the provisional Isle of Man 2019 Level 3 results
The 2019 Level 3 results in the Isle of Man Government’s five secondary schools once again reflect the high achievement of pupils in a wide range of subjects.
Over 300 Year 13 pupils were entered for 900 full Level 3 qualifications in over 50 different subjects.
Alongside full A Level and BTEC Level 3 qualifications pupils have taken AS and other qualifications that carry UCAS points such as the Extended Project and London Institute of Banking and Finance exams. Although these qualifications are not included in these provisional results they provide both value and currency to students applying for university or looking for employment.
Some of the key details from the results analysed today are as follows:
- The Island’s overall A level pass rate (A*-E) was 98.4% which is in line with previous years.
- The percentage of passes at the higher grades of A*-B was 42% which is lower than last year’s record but is in line with previous years. This is part of a national picture today with fewer numbers of A* and A grade results being awarded by exam boards across England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Through continuing sixth form collaboration across secondary schools, the breadth of options available at Level 3 has remained wide. Subjects such as Agriculture, Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship as well as Health and Social Care are offered to pupils across the Island alongside more traditional A Level subjects.
- Performance was particularly strong in Mathematics, History, Geography and Art & Design A Levels and in Agriculture, Sport and ICT BTEC Level 3s.
Across the Island, individual pupils have attained outstanding results, with several pupils recording 3 or more grade A* and A or equivalent passes.
Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, welcomed today’s positive set of exam results. The Minister said:
‘I would like to congratulate all pupils receiving results today as these outcomes represent two years’ of concerted effort with learning on the part of pupils and significant support from both staff and parents.
‘I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our teaching staff for their hard work and for their on-going support and care of these young people during this key transition period in their lives.
‘The Island’s education system is extremely supportive and whether young people choose to continue with their education or look for employment, the Isle of Man Government is committed to ensuring that alongside the subjects these students have studied they have also had additional opportunities to develop transferable skills. This starts with 6Rs in primary schools and leads to an increased focus on employability and learning skills through secondary school. This is part of our commitment to our young people as well as contributing to Programme for Government.’
Jan Gimbert, School Improvement Adviser with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC), said:
‘Feedback from schools today has been very positive with the vast majority of pupils having received the outcomes they were hoping for.
‘Although many of these students have chosen to undertake full time degree courses, either on or off Island, initial indications are that over a fifth are likely to enter directly into full time employment. Options to ‘learn as you earn’ have become increasingly attractive to young people. Cadetships in the Merchant Navy, pathways to accountancy qualifications and apprenticeships in engineering, computing and construction as well as other areas have been secured by school leavers this summer.
'The results today continue to reflect the strength of the Island’s education system as part of a community which considers skills developed by young people in a range of learning contexts as key to the success of both individuals and the Island.’
As well as commenting on individual’s high attainment headteachers have highlighted the value of experiences that pupils have had through enrichment activities offered through the sixth forms of their schools.
As part of their sixth form learning 18 year old school leavers have set up and run their own companies, researched and promoted charities, volunteered with a range of organisations in the local community and undertaken physically and mentally challenging tasks in a range of different contexts. In doing so these young people have developed further key skills such as team working, problem solving and communication as well as resilience and the ability to reflect, helping to prepare them for future employment.
Comparisons
It should be noted that these results for the Isle of Man are provisional and not directly comparable with the results published in other parts of the UK. The initial results from England, Wales and Northern Ireland relate to all entrants and include mature pupils and pupils in colleges and independent schools, whereas the Isle of Man data relates solely to 18 year olds in Government’s five secondary schools.
Careers Advice support for pupils who have received their results is available through DESC Careers Advisors at different venues across the Island. For more information visit: https://signposts.sch.im/
