No sooner do we say that we haven’t had any results, but the Isle of Wight council send us all of the details! Well done to everyone with their results. Here they are, in the council’s words – Ed
Provisional A-Level figures released by the Island’s five high schools today show the percentage of students achieving advanced level passes on the Isle of Wight has significantly increased compared to last year.
0.1% behind national average
The overall pass rate (A – E grades) has improved by just under one percentage point, giving the Island an average of 97.7%. This is just 0.1 percentage points below the national average of 97.8%.
Two of the Island’s high schools have shown good improvements on their pass rate, going up by more than two percentage points, these being Medina and Ryde.
Isle of Wight Council Head of Learning and Achievement Roger Edwardson said “We have seen an increase in the results this year which we welcome as it brings us very close to the national average but there is clearly more work to do over the coming year to help improve further.
“I hope this will help young people gain a place at their choice of university this year, as getting places at universities is becoming tougher.”
More students sitting A Levels
With more students sitting A Levels this year compared to 2010, the proportion of students gaining top grades (A*-A) has increased by more than more than seven percentage points.
The A* grade was introduced last year to test the brightest students and help universities differentiate between the best candidates. To achieve A star, a student has to score an “A” overall, plus at least 90% in each paper in the second year of the course.
Pleasing to see the continued improvement
Dawn Cousins, Cabinet member responsible for Children’s Services said “It is very pleasing to see the continued improvement again and I am happy for all students, parents and staff who are celebrating today and I offer my congratulations. We will continue to monitor the success of the young people from the Island gaining a university place.
“The results this year have set a good platform for the new two tier system which comes into full effect from September. This new structure will give our new secondary providers the task of teaching pupils from the age of 11 upwards, therefore giving a more joined up education over these crucial years before A-levels are taken.”
Connexions provide support
During the exam results period, Isle of Wight Council’s Education Participation Team (Connexions) provides information, advice and guidance for young people and their parents. Advisers are available on a drop-in basis and can be spoken to by calling into the Connexions Centre, 29 High Street, Newport (tel 525927).
They provide one to one personal guidance interviews to discuss education and training opportunities, including school and college programmes, university, apprenticeships, and work-based learning provision.
They also provide advice and support to help young people find employment and identify current job vacancies. The service is available to all young people aged 13-19 (up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities).
Image: Alex France under CC BY 2.0
