Manx students are sitting exams that are no longer recognised in English league tables because they haven’t been through the same ’quality control’.

The Observer newspaper revealed that the IGCSE, the replacement chosen for the GCSE in the Isle of Man, was less robust than the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), the so-called ’gold-standard GCSEs’ taken in most state schools and was no longer included in school performance tables.

Under the new English system, students who take the EBacc GCSEs no longer have coursework and sit end-of-year exams, which make up 100% of their final grade.

Under the IGCSE system, which the Isle of Man uses, students continue to sit exams alongside coursework, which are combined to make up their final grade.

The Observer says that this method has been used by fee-paying schools to ensure high grades and easier access to university for their students.

A spokesman for the island’s Department of Eduation, Sport and Culture, said that the IGCSEs were taught ’in the UK by top private schools, including Eton and Winchester’.

consultation

And that the decision to move to the IGCSE was made after public consultation.

The spokesman added: ’In 2014, the situation with regards to examinations in England and elsewhere was extremely unstable.

’The Isle of Man Government made the decision to consult with the public during that year to ensure the right choices were made for Isle of Man pupils.

’Following the consultation, which considered three potential paths for level two or GCSE equivalent qualifications, the decision was taken to continue with an A*-G grading system for GCSE or IGCSE courses.

’The Isle of Man - like Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions - chose not to adopt the English system, but to offer GCSE (or equivalent) qualification pathways.’

The majority of the exams in the island are done through the Cambridge International Examination board.

standards

The DESC spokesman said: ’On their website, CIE explain how they align and maintain the high standards of Cambridge IGCSE, compared with GCSE qualifications in England.

’The decisions taken by the department have ensured stability for the island’s pupils, during what is a crucial period in their education.

’The department is committed to working with its schools, the employment sector and the wider community to ensure the right choices continue to be made for pupils, and will review this arrangement in three years’ time’.

However, in response to the Observer’s inquiries, a UK Department of Education spokesman said: ’International GCSEs have not been through the same regulatory approval and quality control as the new gold-standard GCSEs [EBacc], which is why we no longer recognise IGCSEs in school performance tables.

’The new GCSE qualifications have been reformed to provide more rigorous content, so young people are taught the knowledge and skills they need for future study and employment.’

At King William’s College, students sit IGCSEs and GCSEs.