The Isle of Man’s education system has been described as ‘second to none’ by visiting school leaders.
A 40-strong group from Escuelas Catolicas Madrid (ECM), which serves 300 Roman Catholic schools in and around Madrid, visited the Island last week.
They met Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education and Children, and were briefed on the Island’s education system by senior officers.
They enjoyed a presentation on the Island’s history and culture by Charles Guard, former administrator of Culture Vannin. This set the context for their visits to schools.
They then visited primary and secondary schools to see education in action, spending time in classrooms, joining pupils for lunch and talking to them about their learning.
They also visited University College Isle of Man (UCM), where they enjoyed tea prepared by hospitality and catering students.
Minister Cregeen said the visit complemented the aims of the Programme for Government.
‘The visit promoted the Isle of Man positively with another jurisdiction, enabled us to celebrate Manx culture and history internationally and engaged us further with the principle of lifelong learning,’ he said.
‘Spanish colleagues were full of praise for our educational system and it was heartening to hear their evaluation of the quality of our schools and college.
‘They recognised the dedication of our staff, the commitment to the development of the “whole” student and the creative leadership in evidence.
‘This vision and professionalism of education staff is of huge benefit to young people on the Island and is increasingly being recognised by colleagues elsewhere.
‘I want to take the opportunity to thank headteachers for the hard work, dedication and creativity they routinely demonstrate.’
The visit was led by Dave Harris, a retired headteacher and international educational author and consultant. He has worked on the Isle of Man and in Spain for four years and recognises the strengths of the Island’s education system, so thought it would be an ideal destination for the Spanish group.
Each day, Mr Harris and local headteachers delivered professional development to the group focusing on aspects such as innovation, leadership of learning and engagement with the community.
Mr Harris said: ‘The Department of Education and Children’s (DEC’s) focus on providing a high quality learning environment for every pupil drew me to work with the Island.
‘I had worked with a number of Island schools and been refreshed by the openness and passion of their leaders. This visit awarded me the privilege of seeing a complete cross-section of schools and I don’t believe there is such a concentration of diverse and high-quality schools anywhere else in the world.
‘The Island should be very proud of its education system. As the group tweeted at the end of their visit – it is “second to none”.
‘The group returned to Spain with happy hearts and stimulated minds. They have fallen in love with the Island, its people and the education system.’
The visitors also enjoyed a guided tour of Milntown, visited the House of Manannan and attended a mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Maughold Church.
The DEC thanked all who ensured the visit was a success.
Photo - The Minister, Department Members Ann Corlett MHK, Lawrie Hooper MHK, Geoff Corkish MBE MLC, with – from left – Juan Carlos Garcia, Emilio Diaz, Director of Education Geoff Moorcroft and Dave Harris (6) the visitors at Milntown.
