FEARS that the island is facing a ‘brain drain’ increased yesterday as many A-level students admitted they would not return after university. Island sixth formers again matched or even improved on previous years’ UK-beating results, but Grammar School head teacher Jeff Smith, pictured left, said it was sad that so many high-quality academics might leave Guernsey for good.

‘There are a few things that do not help,’ said Mr Smith. ‘One is house prices, and if you think that in the future they will have a loan as well, it increases the chances that students will not come back.’

But Education minister Martin Ozanne was more philosophical.

‘Young people should only return when they bring back the best benefit to the island,’ he said.

‘There will always be students who will enter professions which aren’t necessary in Guernsey, but later on, when they become successful in their career, they very often bring their skills back to some other type of employment.’

Deputy Ozanne said that his son Michael – who had been working as an aeronautical engineer in the UK – planned to return to Guernsey to set up home with his girlfriend.

‘He bought a flat in Bristol and, like property prices here, house prices have risen there,’ he said. ‘So when he sells it he will be able to put the money towards a property here.’

He said that similarly his daughter, now 36, had returned three years ago to raise a family on the island.

‘Most of her school year have returned, too,’ he said. ‘Many young people with families do. It’s a safe environment to bring up their children and we’ve got a good education system.’

Ladies’ College principal Margaret Macdonald acknowledged the problem.

‘I think it has been a difficulty for some time that students have struggled to come back and it may become more difficult: it depends what house prices will be in four years’ time.

‘A concern for many I think is that Guernsey needs to make sure that it always has the opportunity to offer employment to its young people.’

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Miss Macdonald said that the new grants system and escalating house prices would also play a part in whether students would decide to return.

‘In my daughter’s time she had a grant but now I could see it being difficult for them to come back because the system has changed,’ she said.

‘I think the cost of house prices does not just apply to students. It’s so hard for all young people and I feel very sorry for them. Yes I think house prices do possibly influence their decision as well.’

Grammar School student Matt Bowditch, who gained four A grades, is joining the band of the Royal Marines.

‘I will get a degree in music,’ he said. ‘It was either go to university and pay a lot of money to get a good education or go to work and be paid to do it. It was a no-brainer.’

And Elizabeth College star pupil Chris Paluch, who got five As at A-level and one at AS Level and who will be studying medicine, said he might not return to Guernsey until later in his career .

‘I’m sure I will have lot of debt after a six-year degree,’ he said. ‘It’s very expensive to live in Guernsey so I might come back when I’m earning more.’

However, 18-year-old Donna Brehaut did not want to risk going to university and then not be able to afford to return.

The Grammar School student gained three A’s in sports studies, religious studies and history, and is to work at Nerine Trust as an administrator.

‘I wanted to commit my future to Guernsey,’ she said. ‘One of the main reasons I’m staying was because of the cost of going to university and the cost of coming back to the island.

‘I think a lot of people going to uni now will struggle to afford to come back.

‘People will be coming back from university with huge debts and I don’t think it will be easy for them to get a mortgage. I think a lot will stay in England.’