Education & Training
State Education
A combination of the best in traditional and modern approaches to teaching and learning continues to ensure high standards throughout the Manx educational system. The Island has its own Department of Education, but the general framework of schools and education is similar to England and Wales. Manx schools are introducing and following the National Curriculum, using as a base the English National Curriculum adapted to reflect the policies of the Department.
The schools are well maintained and well resourced with books, computers and equipment. The pupil to teacher ratio is generous, resulting in small-sized teaching groups. All Island schools are fully reviewed every two years and are supported by the Island's own Educational Advisory Service.
The Department maintains 33 primary schools throughout the Island ranging in size from 300 or 400 pupils in the towns to the small but equally excellent country schools. Parents are able to choose which school their children attend, provided there is space available in the school of their choice. All children from the age of seven study French as a modern foreign language. Manx language is also offered, from seven, but only to those whose parents wish their children to be involved. There is an uptake of Manx language by some 30% of pupils across the Island.
The Island's youngsters achieve good results at General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations at the age of 16. The staying on rate into sixth form is high, with students obtaining good results across a wide range of Advanced Level General Certificate of Education subjects.
Each of the Island's five comprehensive secondary schools have a reputation for academic excellence. An impressive range of facilities, from sports halls to Information Technology areas, are to be found at all secondary schools - Castle Rushen High School in the south, Ramsey Grammar School in the north, Queen Elizabeth II High School in the west, Ballakermeen High School and St Ninian's High School in Douglas.
Learning and Study Areas
Separate sixth form units are in place at each secondary school and provide specific sixth form teaching. The development of young people's skills to meet increasing job opportunities is a cornerstone of Manx Government policy.
Recent years have seen a new emphasis on school courses of a vocational nature, including General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ), linked with vocational courses at the Isle of Man College. The College offers a wide range of recognized courses ranging from hairdressing to higher level technology. A complete new section has been constructed at the College to cope with the expansion in business studies, office studies and economics, preparing local young people for careers in the growing finance sector. This has led to a total upgrading of the library and research facilities in a new library block. A new engineering workshop has recently been completed.
The Island's International Business School supports a wide range of professional qualifications affiliated to universities in the United Kingdom and provides a range of Masters level programmes, including MBA, and an MSc in International Banking and Finance, as well as undergraduate Business Studies programmes.
A great variety of Adult Education evening classes are run throughout the winter months at the Isle of Man College and at centres in other parts of the Island. In special education, the Department maintains a range of services, including Glencrutchery Special School for children with severe special educational needs. Where possible, integration within ordinary schools is encouraged and special units are to be found alongside existing secondary and primary schools. There are special units for the deaf, partially sighted and physically handicapped, as well as a pre-school assessment unit and a school psychological service.
The Education Department staff two mobile Life Education Centres which visit schools to support the teaching of health and drugs education. Music, Drama and the Arts have a prominent position in the work of the schools. There is a Manx Schools Youth Orchestra together with senior and junior school orchestras. Peripatetic instrumental tuition is provided in schools. Choral work is also strong with a range of choirs.
The Youth and Community Service has a network of 15 youth clubs across the Island and runs a comprehensive holiday 'play scheme' during the summer holidays. There is a Careers Service for schools offering advice and support to pupils and young persons over career and job opportunities.
School meals are provided by the Education Department. The service links to the 'healthy eating' campaign in the schools' curriculum.
The Education Department supports Manx students at universities and colleges in the UK. Separate assistance schemes are available through the Island's Department of Trade and Industry for specialised industrial training courses at UK institutions.
Independent Education
Independent education in the Isle of Man is provided by King William's College and the Buchan School. The two schools merged in 1991 to make a continuous educational provision for boys and girls, day pupils and boarders from the age of 4 to 18. The age of transfer between the two sites is eleven. Pupils at both sites follow a range of extra curricular activities and almost all sixth form leavers proceed to Higher Education. King William's College has adopted the International Baccalaureate.
Boarding pupils from overseas are welcome on both sites and can arrive on the boundary of King William's College, perhaps from the other side of the world, without having left an airport building in the UK. There is no requirement for overseas pupils to have a guardian resident in the UK and they may remain at school, supervised and provided for, during the half term breaks.
Training
It is the Isle of Man Government's policy to ensure that training is available to the island's workforce in line with the needs of local industry, and that this is at least of equal standard to that which is available in other parts of the British Isles.
To facilitate this, support for both vocational and industrial training is available through the Department of Trade and Industry's Training Division. They have responsibility for the training of persons over compulsory school age for employment in industry, commerce, agriculture or any trade, profession or other occupation. Assistance may take the form of advice, direct training provision or financial assistance to cover training costs.
These services are available to both employers and prospective trainees, who may already be in employment seeking to develop their knowledge and skills or merely preparing themselves for a suitable opportunity or career. The Island has its own Youth Training provision, together with special schemes for the unemployed and those experiencing difficulty in securing regular employment. Assistance is also offered for apprenticeship training to UK standards. Schemes are also available to offset the costs of training connected with the setting up or development of certain businesses, including provisions for management training.
Training courses are provided at the Department of Trade and Industry's Training Centre. Other courses supported by the Training Division are provided through the Isle of Man College and other approved agencies, both on the Island and in the UK.