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Schools

At the age of 11 they transfer to a Secondary school for which the minimum leaving age is 16. The island currently has thirty-five state Primary Schools and five, non-denominational state Secondary Schools run by the Manx Department of Education. The secondary schools are Castle Rushen High School in the south, Ramsey Grammar School in the north, St Ninian's High School and Ballakermeen High School in Douglas and Queen Elizabeth II High School in the west.

Manx Secondary schools are comprehensive in their intake of pupils, are subject to OFSTED inspections and are fully reviewed every two years. They are all well-equipped with books, computers, technical and sports facilities and class sizes are generally small compared to the UK with a generous pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 19:1 in primary schools and 14:1 in secondary schools. All teachers are now equiped with laptop computers, which are linked to Depatment's own Intranet system.

The Manx school year is divided into three terms beginning with an Autumn term from early September to mid-December, a Spring term from early January to late March and a Summer term from early April to late July. Schoolchildren are also entitled to the May Day holiday, Spring Bank holiday, a TT week holiday and Tynwald Day holiday.

Children wear uniforms at the discretion of individual headteachers and their Governors but most schools use them; school lunches are provided and children from low income families can apply for free meals.

Manx schools follow basically the same National Curriculum as in England but with adaptations to suit local history and geography. In addition, the numeracy and literacy hours being introduced will in future include specially written Manx-themed stories and Primary school children also have the option of learning Manx Gaelic from the age of 7. Unlike the UK it is also compulsory for all 7 year olds to begin studying French. Secondary school students sit GCSE examinations in Year 11 and about a third stay on for more specialised Sixth Form studies - usually two-year A-level or AS-level courses. Dedicated Sixth Form Units have been built for Ballakermeen, QEII, St Ninian's and Castle Rushen High Schools. Some schools now also offer senior pupils career-orientated General National Vocational Qualifications which the ability to concentrate on one general area such as Tourism and Leisure, Business or Art and Design.