Once again, pupils, teachers and education bosses have been celebrating the A-level performance of students across the island’s five state secondary schools.

Despite changes to the A-levels for this year’s leavers, there was a rise in the number achieving the top A* grade and an increase in the percentage gaining A* to B, while the overall pass rate for A* to E grades, at 97.6 per cent, is marginally down on last year. (Overall A-level pass rate in 2016 was 98.4 per cent.)

School improvement adviser Joel Smith said: ’We have spoken to all five secondary headteachers and their feedback has been encouraging. The vast majority of pupils have done very well and been able to pursue their chosen pathway or destination.

’Pupils across the island have secured positive results, given their respective starting points, and whether their next step is in employment or higher education, they have an ideal platform to continue their learning.’

At 46.1 per cent, the total number of pupils gaining grades A* to B was the highest since the current grading system was introduced - 4% up on last year.

This year 7.8 per cent of pupils got the A* grade, a small rise from the 7.3 per cent last year, and the highest percentage since the A* grade was introduced in 2010.

In the island’s five state secondary schools, 376 upper sixth form pupils were entered for more than 1,100 A-levels in nearly 50 subjects.

Collaboration between schools’ sixth forms has meant the spread of subjects offered has increased in recent years, including a number of new subjects such as psychology and computer science.

Agriculture is another new subject, taught practically through working with farms, and this saw the highest percentage of pupils with A* and A grades in the 2017 results.

Education Minister Graham Cregeen said: ’I congratulate all young people receiving their A level results today. The outcomes are enormously important for the Isle of Man.

’They are the culmination of a great deal of hard work and dedication on the part of pupils and staff, as well as considerable support from parents.

’We are proud of all our teaching and support staff for playing such an enabling role in the lives of so many young people over the course of their studies. I’d like to thank staff for their hard work and for coming into schools to support students.

’Whatever future plans our young people pursue, whether that be taking up university or college places or entering employment, I wish them every success.

’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.’

A statement from the Department of Education and Children said several pupils had managed to achieve great things through adversity.

He said: ’One pupil achieved three A grades despite considerable personal illness in the family. He has accepted an offer to study business and economics at the University of East Anglia.

The head boy and girl at one school have also performed exceptionally well. One achieved three A* and one A grade and is off to study law in London. The other also achieved excellent results and is staying in the island to complete an art qualification at University College Isle of Man.’