The island’s A-level pass rates have increased since last year, education chiefs say.

Around 350 students aged 17 to 18 from the island’s five secondary schools received their long-awaited results today, which show that the overall pass rate (A*-E) is 98.4%.

Last year’s equivalent figure was 97.6%.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture confirmed that there was a ’considerable increase’ in the percentage of those who achieved higher grades of A*-B when compared with previous years.

The percentage of A*-B passes was 51.1%, which is a 5% rise on last year’s figure and the highest since records began in 2010.

AS levels have not been included in the DESC’s overall analysis.

This year 7.3% of these pupils achieved the A* grade, which is ’in line with last year and the higher than most previous years’, according to the DESC.

About 1,000 A-level exams were taken in nearly 50 subjects.

The breadth of subjects has continued to remain wide for sixth form students due to collaborations between the different secondary schools, which offer new subjects such as ’global perspectives’ and ’business enterprise’.

It is expected that 70% of these A-level students will take up places in universities and around 25% will enter full-time employment, pursue an internship or apprenticeship in different sectors across the island.

Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said: ’I would like to congratulate all pupils receiving results today. A-level outcomes are extremely important for the future of the Isle of Man.

’They represent a great deal of effort and commitment on the part of pupils and staff, as well as considerable support from parents.

’I’d like to thank teaching and support staff for their hard work as enablers for young people, and for coming into school to offer advice and guidance to pupils today.

’For all decisions pupils choose to take, whether that’s taking up university and college places or entering the employment sector, I wish them every success in their continuing lifelong learning.’

The department says that the results for the Isle of Man are provisional and not directly comparable with the results published in with those from the UK.

Initial results from England, Wales and Northern Ireland relate to all entrants, including mature pupils and students in colleges and independent schools, whereas the island’s data solely looks at 18-year-olds in DESC’s five secondary schools.

A-level passes from every secondary school in the Isle of Man and University College Isle of Man will be featured in the Isle of Man Examiner next week.

The paper will be in the shops on Tuesday, August 21.