Every one’s a winner

Friday 15th August 2008, 2:30PM BST.

Sixth Form Centre student Sophie Hurford celebrates her three Bs. The 17-year-old is among those taking the earn and learn option, in her case with Forbes. ‘I knew I wanted a job in accountancy,’ she said. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0622056)

GUERNSEY’S A-level students have achieved a 100% pass rate for the first time.
Island sixth-formers yesterday celebrated as all 334 gained grades between A and E.
Nearly 85% had A to C grades, more than 10% ahead of their UK counterparts, results that Education minister Carol Steere said were absolutely amazing.
‘It’s a reflection of the fantastic teaching we have here and quality of our students and I would like to congratulate them all,’ she said.
National media reports claimed A-levels had lost credibility because of the high pass rates, but Deputy Steere rubbished those claims.
‘A-levels are still very much respected and I think it’s very sad that every year, this same argument is trotted out. It’s about time it stopped,’ she said.
‘It is unfair to the people who go through this process. Today is a day of celebration for many students.’

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1
Paul

August 15, 2008 at 3:03 pm

One of the criticisms of A-Levels and the reason for the so called 100% pass rate is not the level of difficulty but the definition of a “pass” (grades A-E). Let’s face it, if a 40% score (minimum E grade) is considered a pass that isn’t much of a standard. In fact, whilst this may “officially” be the case, outside the education system it is widely accepted by most employers that only grades A-C constitute a pass. I therefore suggest that in reality the local pass mark is actually 85% – still extremely credible.

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