Students collect A-levels, as Isle of Man records 99% pass rate

"Delighted" A-level students across the Isle of Man have been collecting their results, with one school achieving the highest grades in its recent history.

Among those celebrating was dance student Ruby Quayle, who is heading to a specialist dance school in Manchester. Others achieved top grades across sciences, languages and humanities.

Queen Elizabeth II High School in Peel saw more than a third of its grades awarded at A* or A. Headteacher Charlotte Clarke said she was "incredibly proud".

Across the Island, the overall pass rate for Level 3 qualifications was 99%, according to provisional government figures.

Dance student Ruby, who was taught by Emma Lewis for seven years, completed her double diploma in dance alongside her sport qualifications.

"I'd love to be a back-up dancer for the famous artists you see on stage," she said.

"Or I'd love to dance on a cruise ship."

After seven years supervising Ruby, her teacher called it the end of an era.

"She's worked extremely hard and taken on every challenge. I'm so excited to see where she goes," she said.

Headteacher Charlotte Clarke said: "We are incredibly proud of our students and the commitment, resilience and determination they have shown throughout their studies.

"This year group has achieved exceptionally well, securing the strongest A-level results in the school's recent history."

Assistant headteacher Steven Slack, director of the school's sixth form, called it the culmination of "a seven-year journey" for students now moving on to universities across the UK, local employment and courses at University College Isle of Man.

George Gosden achieved four grades at A or A* and is heading to St Andrews University, where he hopes to eventually pursue a doctorate in physics.

Gosden said he could trace his interest in the discipline back to watching documentaries on the BBC as a child.

He credited a string of teachers along the way, including a "really great physics teacher who's got an odd teaching style but is really effective".

Abi Corlett achieved grades A, A, and B in French, geography and English language and is heading to the University of Edinburgh to study French linguistics.

She studied across three different schools to best fit in all her subjects, including travelling to Douglas for French.

"It involved driving around all the time," she said, revealing she already knew she had a place at Edinburgh before opening her results.

"I saw the email, and I left it for about 10 minutes," she said.

She hopes to live in France for a period of time after university.

Olivia Bettridge, who studied English literature, sociology and performing arts, is heading to the University of Leeds to study journalism.

"I'd really like to work for one of the bigger media companies," she said.

She described the run-up to exams as "extremely" stressful.

"I was so stressed all the time. I'd wake up really early and revise," she said.

"But once it was all over, it was really worth it."

Nathaniel Casson got A* grades in maths and further maths and an A in computer science, and is taking a gap year to find work on the island rather than going straight to university.

"I'm looking for anything related to computer science really," he said.

"Just to get a bit of relevant experience before I move on to university."

He described his final year of studies as "brutal," particularly in further maths and computer science, and said he may stay on the island long term "if there are good jobs available".

Across the island, the provisional overall pass rate for Level 3 qualifications was 99% at A*-E or equivalent, with 51% of grades at A*-B and 80% at A*-C, according to figures from the Department of Education, Sport and Culture.

At University College Isle of Man, 78% of students passed their Level 3 qualifications, most of which are equivalent to three A levels, while 75% achieved a merit or distinction.

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