Despite some individual successes, the Isle of Wight’s A-level results have put us once again at the bottom of the class.

The latest figures reveal a stark reality, particularly for the brightest students. One shocking statistic stands out from this year’s results – only 2.9 per cent of Isle of Wight students achieved the highest A* grade, less than a third of the English average of 9 per cent. Only 44 per cent of our young people secured grades of B or higher, compared to the national rate of 53.3.

These grades are crucial as they unlock doors to the best universities and the most in-demand degrees. Clever Island youngsters, with dreams of becoming doctors or vets, are far more unlikely to realise their ambitions as those educated in an ‘average’ county.

It makes the achievements of those who have done well in these exams even more impressive, and in some circumstances may help others understand why they did not do as well as they hoped.

The official statistics, from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations (Ofqual), do not provide a breakdown by school. This will be available in January after any challenges to individual results have been resolved.

Some suggest that the Island’s small size makes it harder to achieve good results. However, this argument falls flat when compared to Rutland, another small education authority, where an impressive 15.2 per cent of students achieve A* grades and 72.7 per cent secure B and above, although two good independent schools contribute to those results.

Islanders may recall former IW Council leader, David Pugh’s promise that changing to a two-tier education system would transform the Island’s exam results. For the past decade, Hampshire County Council has managed the Island’s education system, charging millions of pounds to deliver promised improvements. These results prove that both initiatives have failed.

The IW Council is officially saying nothing about the latest figures. A spokesman said: “Until we have Department for Education validated data, we are unable to comment, as we need to understand the granular details surrounding the Island’s results.

“We are developing a new education strategy for the Island, a draft version of which was published in July.”

Cabinet member for education, Cllr Jonathan Bacon, was more forthcoming. He said: “I want to congratulate those young people who have achieved excellent results. However, overall, our results are extremely poor in comparison with other areas, and have been for many years. We must do better. The first step is to acknowledge the problem. The new education department at County Hall, which is focussed solely on Island children, has done that. This is essential before we can now work out to address the issue rather than side-stepping it, as has been the case for too long.

“As has been made clear, we have serious structural challenges, including, most urgently, the over-supply of places in primary schools. The process which will follow will not be pleasant, but when a problem has been left too long, in this case almost ten years, serious surgery is necessary. We must also look to all aspects of school management, including the work of school governors, and use such powers as exist to force improvement.

“The next actions will be in the context of our developing education strategy. I urge all Islanders to read and respond to it. It affects everyone, not just those with school-age children, but everyone, including potential future employers. This is a whole Island problem and the more people who get actively involved with the plans, the more likely we are to find the right answers. However, as has happened in County Hall, people must be able to step back and look at the overall situation, and be realistic in recognising the realities which much be dealt with.”

You can respond to the draft education strategy via iw.observer/education-strategies.