Action plan created to tackle issues in Manx schools

A new group made up of leaders in education across the Isle of Man are to create an "action plan" to tackle issues identified in an external schools report, the education minister has said.

The Educational Leadership Team (ELT) is to be formed after external validators Etio published its first annual review.

Over 12 months it looked at 14 schools and one educational service, in a process expected to take three years to include all institutions.

Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) Minister Daphne Caine said the ELT would look at "how best to assist all our schools and the educational system on the island generally".

A framework for the external evaluations began last year is due to be published in July, which is to be rolled out to all schools and other educational settings by July 2026.

DESC said ELT will be made up of primary and secondary school leaders, representatives of University College Isle of Man, and departmental officers.

Challenges identified in the annual report noted issues with attendance, the transition from primary to secondary school, and addressing diverse learning needs.

Caine said the new team would be reporting on a monthly basis to the department with observations on both strengths and weaknesses alongside any recommendations.

She said they would look at "the way we teach, what we teach" and the "engagement of students, particularly in the first years of secondary school".

She explained that schools had their own individual development plans and would also "monitor themselves", while every three years undergoing the external validations process.

"Continuous improvement is what this is all about," she said.

It was also important, Caine said, to look at play-based learning in early years education.

She said the ELT will be "putting together the prioritisation and an action plan to address the challenges that have been identified".

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