Isle of Man Education, Training and Careers News

Emergency Department Sister becomes first Manx Care colleague to complete Florence Nightingale Programme

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:58:01 GMT

Emily Haywood, Sister in Noble’s Hospital Emergency Department, has become the first Manx Care colleague to complete the Early Career Nurses and Midwives Leadership Programme.

The course is delivered by the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) in London, an academy which continues Florence Nightingale’s legacy by supporting and empowering Nurses and Midwives to develop as authentic leaders and build confidence in influencing change.

Emily is keen to apply her new skills and knowledge to future practice, including use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the theory behind Quality Improvement (QI), investigating patient safety, and applying solution-orientated techniques such as co-coaching and creating psychologically safe spaces.

Emily commented:

‘The programme has taught me fundamental skills, knowledge and concepts that I intend on applying to my everyday work. The opportunity to network with Nurses and Midwives on a national level has been invaluable to my overall experience. I would highly recommend FNF leadership programmes to my colleagues and would be happy to discuss my experiences further.’

Associate Director of Nursing, Joanne Standish, added:

‘This is a positive step forward not only for Emily herself but also Manx Care. I am incredibly proud of this breakthrough as Emily will be able to distribute her knowledge across her peers and her success will encourage others to follow suit, ultimately increasing the efficiency and quality of care that our patients and service users are given.’

Five schools receive Green Flag award for ‘exceptional dedication’ to environment

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 13:08:04 GMT

Five primary schools have received an internationally recognised award for their ‘exceptional dedication’ to environmental education and sustainable practices.

St Mary’s Roman Catholic, Andreas, St John’s, Henry Bloom Noble and Victoria Road primary schools have received the Eco-Schools’ highest Green Flag award.

Each completed the seven-step programme that engages children in learning about global issues such as climate change, biodiversity and marine conservation.

This initiative prompted students to consider changes they could implement within their school and personal lives.

Additionally, each school established an eco-council to enact these ideas, including initiatives like cultivating their own food and setting up bird feeders and wildflower areas.

This achievement follows the collaborative efforts of the Department of Education, Sport, and Culture (DESC), working in conjunction with Eco-Schools, who conducted regular training sessions for teachers throughout the academic year.

Francis Hyland, UK Eco-Schools Coordinator, said:

‘We were thrilled to collaborate with DESC and Manx schools, aiming to promote eco-action and environmental learning, inspiring the conscientious leaders of tomorrow.’

This partnership has enabled hundreds of pupils and teachers to develop new skills and gain a deeper understanding of key global environmental concerns.

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport, and Education, said:

‘This significant milestone represents our collective endeavour to instil in students a sense of responsibility for the world they inhabit. We are appreciative of the guidance and support from Eco-Schools and hope it leads to a life-long love of the natural world.’

Maryjane Douglas, a teacher at St. John’s, said:

‘Our children are growing up in a world where climate change cannot be ignored. Alongside the program, they've learned to take simple steps to reduce the school’s carbon footprint. The children have been inspired and empowered and we are immensely proud of their initiatives.’

The schools’ accomplishments reflect DESC’s commitment to continuously raise awareness and understanding of climate change and sustainable practices at all levels of education.

Inaugural competition gives Sixth Form students an opportunity to take part in a mock Court

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:58:47 GMT

The Isle of Man Courts & Tribunals Service recently held its first mock Court competition over the weekend. Sixth Form students from all of the Island’s secondary schools were invited to participate in the competition, involving making or opposing mock applications for Court Bail.

12 students from Ballakermeen High School, St Ninian’s High School and King William’s College were randomly assigned a role and a case, provided with Court papers in advance of the competition, along with a pre-competition video tutorial on the law.

The students wereintroduced to Court 3 and given a brief tour, after which they conducted final preparations with guidance from Advocates Sara-Jayne Dodge from Smith Taubitz Unsworth Limited, Emily Johnson from Cains, and Trainee Advocate Mark O’Connor from CallinWild.

The Court proceedings were overseen by three of the Island’s Magistrates, aiming to offer an experience as authentic as possible for the aspiring Advocates. The event concluded with a Q&A and feedback session.

This opportunity allowed participation from the students without prior legal knowledge. The event was also an occasion for those seeking to develop their public speaking skills more broadly.

Alexander Armstrong, the Court’s Legal Officer and Assistant Chief Registrar, organised the competition and drafted the mock applications. He said:

‘All of the students demonstrated excellent levels of public speaking and had clearly put a lot of time into the preparation and structure of their arguments.

‘With recent changes to the route to qualifying as an Advocate in the Isle of Man, the Courts & Tribunals Service is keen to offer its support to students who are interested in pursuing a career in law. This experience has hopefully provided a brief insight into the work of an Advocate which will assist the students in their future careers goals, bolstering their CVs and providing a spring board to further legal work experience. The day also provided an opportunity for the students to better understand the role and work of the Courts.’

The winner of the competition was Anna Rose Ridgway from Ballakermeen High School.

It is hoped that the competition will grow in 2024 with more students encouraged to participate.

Employment and Skills fair focuses on real career paths

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:03:41 GMT

Professional people will share insights about their career journeys at an employment event in Douglas next month.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s flagship employment and skills fair will be held at the Villa Marina on Thursday 9 November.

More than 1,000 young people will attend the event, which will shine a light on the importance of transferable skills and the sometimes unconventional career paths.

Students from all five secondary schools, University College Isle of Man and King William’s College will be given the chance to meet and engage with around 60 exhibitors, representing a diverse range of sectors including the creative industries, finance, hospitality, Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) and uniformed services.

During the one-day event young people will also have the opportunity to explore various job roles, delve into different industries and gain insights into lifelong learning skills highlighted in the DESC Employability and Careers Education Framework.

Leading up to the fair, DESC’s Careers’ Team is inviting local businesses and members of the community to participate in a social media campaign -#learningforlife - to highlight their unique career journeys.

Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, Julie Edge MHK, said:

‘Understanding the diverse paths people take in their careers is crucial for our young people. Employment and Skills 2023, along with the #learningforlife social media campaign, is a great opportunity to play a part in helping guide future generations as they enter the world of work.

‘This focus on skills and career journeys is integral to preparing our youth for a rapidly evolving job market. By sharing real stories, we hope to inspire the next generation, illustrating that success comes in many forms and through various paths.’

For more information about Employment and Skills 2023 or to get involved in the #learningforlife campaign, visit the DESC Signposts website.

Bachelor in Nursing Recruitment Programme launches for September 2024 cohort

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 13:38:44 GMT

Are you considering a career in Nursing on the Isle of Man?

The pre-registration Nursing Programme (Adult and Mental Health Fields), is now recruiting for the September 2024 cohort.

The Bachelor in Nursing is primarily based at Keyll Darree, School of Health on the Noble’s Hospital site, which has excellent graduate outcomes and can offer an immersive learning experience. This course equips students with the skills, knowledge and personal development to enable them to meet the diverse professional challenges of nursing.

Working with patients and service users of all ages, this profession focuses on improving the quality of life for others by being highly observant and building trusting relationships. The course aims to develop students into adaptable, reflective and compassionate practitioners through carefully devised teaching and learning methods.

Designed to meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the Keyll Darree teaching staff and Manx Care aim to give learners as much real-world experience as possible with invaluable placement support, meaning they get hands-on experience of working in the field.

Placing equal value on practice and theory, students study a wide range of subjects, including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, psychology, sociology and research methods. This allows learners to become immersed in learning about the needs of populations, individuals, related health and nursing services with an emphasis on using research to enhance and improve services.

A wide range of clinical placements gives students the opportunity to practice care, compassion and communication - values that have positive impacts on not only the service user/patient journey, but also on their lives.

Our collaboration with the University of Chester allows people to study at home on the Island if they wish to, without having the expense and stress of travelling further afield, at the same time building the future nursing workforce for the Isle of Man.

Student Nurses who study with us on the Isle of Man have all their university fees paid (the equivalent of £9,250 per year for each of the three years), and receive an annual bursary of £10,000.

Applications are now open until 22 March 2024 via the UCM website.

Director of Education for Manx Care and Head of School at Keyll Darree, Paul Irving, commented:

‘We are excited to launch the pre-registration programme for the Bachelor of Nursing, September 2024 cohort. We produce Nurses who are not only excellent clinical practitioners, but who also understand the importance of care, compassion and communication. Our staff have a wealth of experience and can demonstrate the positive impact that Nurses have on patients’ lives.’

Open Afternoon for Occupational Therapy Week

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 14:58:12 GMT

National Occupational Therapy week takes place from 06 November to 10 November 2023.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) past, present and future are invited to an open afternoon on 10 November, where Manx Care OTs will share what inspired them to take up this career.

This is an opportunity to catch up with Occupational Therapy colleagues, hear about returning to the profession (for those wishing to return to practice), and to learn more about a career in Occupational Therapy. Light refreshments will be provided.

Occupational Therapy offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of patients of all ages with a variety of illness and difficulties. We work by analysing the things patients need, want, or like to do, within a bespoke recovery focused rehabilitation programme. These everyday activities support our physical and mental wellbeing, so we aim to support our patients to participate in a broad range of everyday occupations. This could mean supporting them to complete self-care tasks, be able to work, be a student at school, complete domestic chores, or to engage in hobbies. It’s a diverse and rewarding career with great opportunities in Manx care.

The open afternoon will be held at the Independent Living Centre, Ballakermeen Road, Douglas (at the back of Community Health Centre), from 1pm to 3pm.

We hope you can make it!

Noble’s Hospital maintains first place in Junior Doctor medical education

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:14:57 GMT

Noble’s Hospital is once again in first place in the North West for the provision of medical education to Junior Doctors.

The results relate to feedback from Internal Medicine Year 1 (IMT1), and Noble’s is followed closely in the ranking by Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust Foundation.

This is the outcome of the annual National Trainee Survey (NTS) for 2023 from the General Medical Council (GMC), which is compulsory for all Junior Doctors in training to complete.

Over 40 doctors undertaking postgraduate training to become either Hospital Consultants or General Practitioners have been seconded by NHS England and are currently working for Manx Care. These include 24 Foundation Doctors, 6 Internal Medicine Trainees, one Obstetrics and Gynaecology junior Doctor and 10 to 12 GP Registrars.

Each Junior Doctor is asked to score their hospital, training and environment across 19 categories including teaching, curriculum coverage, clinical and educational supervision, support, and working environment. For Internal Medicine training, Noble’s finished in the top quartile for 17 out of the 19 areas, with a score of 84% for satisfaction and 91% for clinical supervision.

In that first year, the trainees develop their core skills, gather experience in clinical settings, and play a significant role in hospital life. The Junior Doctors working for Manx Care receive a high level of individual support and development from the senior clinicians they work with, with the training programme offering them a broad experience in general medicine and related specialties. They also receive a carefully planned medical education classroom programme to complement their practical learning, delivered in a post-graduate training environment at the dedicated Medical Clinical Skills Centre facility on the Noble’s Hospital site.

Dr Adrian Dashfield, who leads Medical Education on the Isle of Man within Manx Care, said:

‘It is an incredible achievement for a small Island to be top again. The Isle of Man is now an extremely popular hospital to be allocated to, particularly for the two-year Foundation Doctor training program for new medical graduates straight after medical school. Applicants require a score of 87% to win a place. Attracting the pick of the crop directly benefits patients. Much credit goes to our small Foundation program education team headed by Dr Alison Hool. The consistent positive results make the training here desirable and for practitioners to return here in the future, essentially helping to generate our own workforce. Increasingly, previous trainees having completed their training in the UK are applying for senior posts on Island.’

Manx Care’s Interim Medical Director, Dr Marina Hudson, commented:

‘There are many eyes that fall upon the results of the NTS, so it is wonderful that the Isle of Man has been able to put itself on the map by not only scoring the highest IMT Year One scores in the UK and Isle of Man in 2021, but now also in the North West Region in 2023. Many of the Junior Doctors that train here have a desire to return in future. There is a Consultant working in our Emergency Department who was previously part of the programme, and a Consultant Psychiatrist in CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), who was previously a junior trainee and has recently shown interest in coming back to the Island. It is a wonderful opportunity for consultants to join us from all departments, whether it be general or specialist medicine, and to build upon an already tremendous workforce to deliver the best possible care to our community.’

Manx Care’s CEO, Teresa Cope, added:

‘At Manx Care we pride ourselves on making sure that trainees are given as much one-to-one training and development as possible, in order to set them up for the time they’ll spend in much larger teaching hospitals in the North West of England during their second and third years. I am incredibly proud of all our teams who are involved. Ultimately, it’s our patients who benefit from being looked after by professionals who’ve received the best possible training and that is important as our service users are at the heart of everything we do.’

Qualification on offer for aspiring gym instructors

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 14:06:12 GMT

Budding gym instructors will be able to gain a qualification on the Isle of Man thanks to a partnership between the National Sports Centre (NSC) and University College Isle of Man (UCM).

A new six-day course, hosted and delivered by the NSC and assessed by UCM, will give adults the chance to learn all the skills needed to run their own gym classes and aims to meet the growing demand for professional development opportunities in the fitness industry.

Those that complete the course, which will be held over three consecutive weekends, will gain the 1st 4Sport Level 2 Certificate, a nationally recognised qualification.

The first course will begin on 25 November with more dates planned for 2024.

Each programme will conclude with a final assessment and quality assurance conducted by UCM, ensuring a comprehensive blend of theory and practical training. UCM gained 1st 4Sport accreditation earlier this year following a rigorous authorisation and assessment process, and has since been building its Sport offering.

Gianni Epifani, Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing Manager at the NSC, said:

‘We are delighted to partner with UCM to offer this fantastic gym instruction course. The fitness industry is evolving, and this course will equip aspiring gym instructors with the knowledge and practical skills required to thrive in this dynamic field.’

Kerry Birchall, who oversees Adult Learning provision at UCM, added:

‘We are pleased to be partnering with the NSC to offer this course and create new opportunities for adults who want to reskill or upskill in the fitness industry. At UCM we are committed to lifelong learning and recently launched our new adult learning provision which includes a wide range of courses for anyone over 16 years of age who want to either learn something for fun, through our Just for Fun courses, or who are looking to develop their professional skills, through our Upskilling courses.’

The course aligns with the government's Island Plan and its commitment to lifelong learning and development, offering valuable training opportunities to enhance overall societal health, well-being, and development.

Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Gianni on +44 1624 688556, and more information is available on the NSC website.

Watch the YouTube video below that talks more about the qualification:

CYBERISLE sees launch of the Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:46:41 GMT

The fifth cyber security conference, CYBERISLE, took place at the Comis Hotel in Douglas last week, with over 250 delegates from the Isle of Man, Jersey and UK taking the opportunity to come together to discuss cyber security best practices and share their insight.

The event was launched by the Justice and Home Affairs Minister, Hon. Jane-Poole Wilson MHK, with presentations from the UK National Cyber Security Centre and Martin Smith MBE amongst others.

In her opening address, the Minister formally launched the new ‘Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man’ (CSC) which is being adopted as the public-facing body of Office of Cyber-Security & Information Assurance (OCSIA) to promote awareness and resilience for Cyber Security on the Isle of Man.

The adoption of the new title aligns the division with other jurisdictions, where their cyber security centres are widely recognised by their residents.

Minister Poole-Wilson said:

‘The creation of the Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man branding recognises the importance of effective external communications. It’s really important to make sure we get our key messages to the right people. As OCSIA increased the volume of resources and content aimed at keeping people and businesses safer online, we realised we needed to be clearer on exactly what OCSIA did.’

The OCSIA name will remain internally, with a focus on the Government’s Information Assurance Programme.

The CSC brand is currently undergoing a transition phase and will soon start rebranding across its social media and website platforms.

More information can be found on the OSCIA webpage.

Experience and Engagement Lead becomes member of Patient Experience Network

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:50:46 GMT

Manx Care’s Experience and Engagement Lead has become a member of the Patient Experience Network (PEN).

Karen Maddox, Experience and Engagement Lead for Manx Care, has become the first person to join PEN from the Isle of Man since the network was created (this also makes it a first for Manx Care). She attended a virtual conference along with 60 other NHS Trusts late in 2022, and has been implementing her learning to develop our services ever since.

PEN is an independent, not-for-profit service provider and membership-based network. It is founded upon an understanding of the importance of a great experience – whether this is for patients, carers or staff.

A key focus of the network is learning from each other and sharing best practice, with the overarching aim being to help organisations improve both patient and staff experience, and in turn improving organisational performance.

In line with this, Karen is setting up an ‘Inter-Island Service User Experience Network’ which will allow other Experience and Engagement Leads to share best practice, in the context of their unique island settings. Other islands will be able to share the challenges they face, as well as their successes, to help improve what we can offer in terms of experiences and feedback tools here on the Isle of Man.

Karen commented:

‘I’m thrilled to be taking this positive step, and am looking forward to seeing how this will help us develop as an organisation. Service user, carer and colleague experience is a key focus for Manx Care, and learning from members across the network will help us to adapt and improve.’

Phenomenal opportunity for Manx psychology graduates

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:02:17 GMT

Psychology graduates are being offered an extremely rare opportunity to train as an educational and child psychologist (TEP), whilst developing their practice in Manx schools.

The opportunity will see one graduate embark on a three-year professional qualification at Nottingham University – fully funded by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC).

The Applied Doctorate in Educational Psychology (DAppEdPsy) will require them to study full-time at Nottingham University for one year, before splitting their time between their studies and working with young people in Isle of Man schools.

The Department is also introducing a series of monthly forums, led by their Lead Educational & Child Psychologist, Jonny Fee, to give potential candidates the best possible chance when submitting their applications in March 2024.

Mr Fee said:

‘This is a rare and exciting opportunity to complete a funded professional qualification. Working with young people is a privilege and I urge psychology graduates to come to the forums and find out more.’

Julie Edge MHK Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said:

‘This is a phenomenal opportunity to be supported to complete all the necessary qualifications whilst practicing within a cluster of Manx schools.’

The first forum will be held at University College Isle of Man’s Christory’s Restaurant on 18 September at 4:30pm and anyone interested in attending can email ECP.Team@sch.im

Further information regarding the course requirements can be found on the University of Nottingham’s Applied Doctorate in Educational Psychology (DAppEdPsy) page.

Twenty four receive highest Duke of Edinburgh award

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 17:14:35 GMT

Twenty four young people from the Isle of Man have received their Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Gold Award at a ceremony at Government House on Wednesday.

All had completed a 12-18 month programme that included volunteering, learning new skills, physical activity and a gruelling four-day expedition. The award also includes a residential section where participants help an organisation or learn something, unlike the Silver and Bronze.

The young people, who all worked towards their Award with help from DofE Units registered with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s Youth Service were presented with their Gold badges by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lorimer.

The Lieutenant Governor said:

‘The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is a fantastic way of empowering young people to learn new skills, gain confidence and support their community.

‘This year’s recipients have gained their awards by undertaking a very wide range of different activities, and I am delighted that so many have achieved recognition for their hard work at gold level. They are a credit to their families, schools and the Isle of Man.’

More than 600 young people from the Island are currently participating in either their Bronze, Silver or Gold.

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture said:

‘The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award helps young people to acquire skills that are invaluable for adult life, whether it be in further education or the workplace – so it is fantastic to see so many achieve their Gold.’

Alison Barnes, DESC’s Awards’ Coordinator, said:

‘Although the Awards have been going more than 60 years they remain relevant. Participants learn about and practice teamwork and logic, learn how to overcome challenges, push themselves to achieve goals and grow in confidence to prepare them for life’s challenges.’

The Youth Service delivers the Award through secondary schools, voluntary youth organisations and independent groups. Participants must be 14 – 24 to take part and more information can be found on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award page on gov.im or the DofE website.

Get help with your tax return at the Get Online Centre

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:00:22 GMT

Dedicated sessions are being set up to help people who want to file their tax return online, but may not have the confidence to do so.

There are now just a few weeks to go until the 6 October 2023 deadline for the submission of personal income tax returns. Submitting online is the preferred method for the majority of Isle of Man residents with more than 60% now filing their annual tax return using Isle of Man Government’s Online Services.

To assist those yet to submit online, the Income Tax Division has teamed up with the Get Online Centre at the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

Anyone wishing to find out more can book a sessionfor help getting started or, if they are already registered, general assistance with navigating the system and resetting forgotten passwords or other login details.

Sessions will take place on:

Thursday 14 September 2023, 10am to midday and 2pm to4pm
Thursday 28 September 2023, 10am to midday and 2pm to 4pm

Book a 30-minute slot by calling the Get Online Centre on +44 1624 685224 or emailing goc@gov.im

Participants are encouraged to bring their own electronic equipment to use, such as laptops, tablets, iPads or smartphones, in order to become familiar with their equipment when navigating Online Services. If you do not own suitable equipment, there will be a limited number of iPads available.

Why should you register for online tax services?

There are a wide range of benefits when registered for online tax services which include:

submitting and viewing a tax return online
receiving instant confirmation of a tax return submission
reviewing assessments and balance details easily and securely
making secure online payments
having income tax refunds paid directly into a bank account

Anyone unable to attend either of the sessions at the Get Online Centre, can still obtain assistance by contacting the Income Tax Division directly, visiting services.gov.im or following the instructional video on how to complete your online tax return on the Isle of Man Government Youtube channel.

The Division’s opening times are:

Public counters

Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm

Located on the 2nd floor of Government Offices, Bucks Road, Douglas.

Telephone

Telephone number: +44 1624 685400

Monday to Thursday: 9am to 5:30pm

Friday: 9am to 5pm

The week leading up to 6 October is a very busy period for the Income Tax Division and the team encourages people to file their tax return before this period. If you need to speak to a member of staff close to the deadline date, please note waiting times may be longer than usual.

Comprehensive independent RSE report published

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:02:45 GMT

The independent report into the relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum taught at Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) High School has been made public.

It follows a careful and essential redaction process needed to protect the anonymity of the parents, teachers and other stakeholders who gave up their time to contribute.

The comprehensive 50-page report recommends that RSE lessons should resume, but calls for better communication with parents and specialist training for teachers to be in place first.

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said:

‘The Department of Education, Sport and Culture has taken immediate action to address the findings.’

She continued:

‘I would like to again thank all the parents, teachers and officers who have contributed their time. We will work with schools to ensure that necessary changes are made and a clear plan is developed to inform the most appropriate way forward to resume delivery of RSE in early 2024.’

The RSE curriculum, which was introduced in secondary schools in September 2020, remains on hold.

The RSE report can be found at DESC's homepage.

Alteration to school summer holidays

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 09:31:32 GMT

Schools will finish the summer term two-days earlier in 2024 and 2025 to accommodate teacher training.

It means the summer term will finish on Friday 19 July in 2024, instead of Tuesday 23 July as previously planned.

The move will allow the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) to allocate time to staff training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said:

‘It is crucial that we invest in our teachers and other school staff and this plan will allow us to do it. Ultimately this decision will benefit our teachers, students and educational establishments and we wanted parents to have as much notice as possible.’

In 2025, schools will now close to students on Friday 18 July.

Term dates are available at the School holidays page.

Results Days 2023: Students receive Level 3 Qualifications

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 15:30:17 GMT

Around 500 students have received their A Level, BTEC and other Level 3 qualifications in the Isle of Man.

Staff have been in schools and University College Isle of Man (UCM) to provide students with their grades, and extend advice and support as they chart their journeys into higher education, employment, apprenticeships and other destinations.

2023 Provisional Island Secondary School Level 3 Results

Level 3 pass rate (A Level grades A*-E or equivalent) is 97%
The percentage of passes at the higher grades (A Level grades A*-B or equivalent) is 41%
The pass rate at A Level grades A*-C (or equivalent) is 67%
The overall pass rate at UCM is 97%
Students at UCM who achieved Distinction grades for Level 3 BTEC is 44%

What’s next for 2023 leavers

Early indications show that around two-thirds of Island students receiving Level 3 qualifications intend to further their education by enrolling on degree courses at UCM or off-Island Universities. However, the trend of increasing numbers of 18-year-old education leavers opting for full time employment on completion of their Level 3 studies is expected to continue this year.

In Summer 2022, a third of 18-year-old school leavers chose to move directly into the Island’s workforce. Many of these education leavers were successful in securing ‘learn as you earn’ options with local employers in areas such as accountancy, ICT, engineering and banking as an alternative to full time higher education courses.

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said:

‘These outcomes hold great importance for our young people, offering a range of choice. My thanks to the commitment of our schools and UCM staff who have guided and supported these learners on their educational path.

‘As we celebrate the accomplishments of the Island’s young people today, it's important to recognise that every student's journey is unique. Whichever path they choose, there are many options open to them and success is always achievable.

‘Whatever their choice of direction going forwards, I wish every student success for their future.’

What support is available

Additional advice and guidance sessions from qualified Careers Advisers will be available throughout the summer holidays to support education leavers with their next steps. Online resources, alongside details of these drop in and bookable sessions, can be found on the DESC Signposts website.

Scholarship helps talented student achieve academic success

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:42:48 GMT

A student from the Isle of Man has become the first recipient of a scholarship administered by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to graduate in the UK.

Justin Josy, who attended St Ninian’s High School, graduated from John Moore’s University in Liverpool with a First Class degree in Business with International Business Management after successfully applying for the Robert Hunter Cain and Hilda Cain Scholarship in 2020.

The scholarship supports talented Manx pupils by providing them with financial aid to pursue a higher education course.

Robert Hunter Cain, also known as Bert, came from a line of Manx farmers and was involved in the building trade. The funding for the scholarship comes from a small investment in property made by Harry Wilson, the father of Bert's wife, Hilda.

A spokesperson for the Trustees of The Robert Hunter Cain & Hilda Cain Scholarship said:

‘The Trust was formed to promote the further education of former Island state secondary school pupils who have been resident on the Isle of Man for a period of 10 years and who without its financial support would be unable to undertake undergraduate study.

‘We are very proud of what Justin has achieved.’

Justin said:

‘The scholarship has helped me immensely, it has provided financial assistance throughout my time at university. I have been able to immerse myself in opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise; such as over 10 internships, extracurricular activities, travelling, volunteering and more!'

Applications for the 2023/24 scholarship are now open and will close on 20 August.

Minister Julie Edge MHK, said:

‘Justin’s brilliant accomplishment shows the positive impact these sort of scholarships can have. I encourage all eligible students to apply and seize this valuable opportunity to shape their future through higher education.’

Students interested applying can do so by emailing Admin.DESC@gov.im or calling +44 1624 685808.

More information about Student Awards and other financial assistance can be found at its dedicated page.

Students to receive exam results this month

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 17:15:37 GMT

Isle of Man school leavers aged 16 to 18 will receive their qualification grades this month. Around 1,400 students are expected to collect their results during August.

When is results day 2023

There are a number of results days throughout the summer period, depending on the exam board, type and level of qualification taken. Some results are available to students via secure logins prior to the main results days.

Main results days are:

A-level, BTEC Level 3 and other level 3 qualifications: 17 August
IGCSE, GCSE and other Level 1 & 2 Qualifications: 24 August

How students collect their results

Students are expected to collect their grades in person at their respective school or UCM Homefield Road campus, and have been advised when to attend. Students have been encouraged to make arrangements in advance if they cannot attend in person.

Support available

Schools and UCM will have staff available to offer guidance and support to school or college leavers thinking about their next steps after receiving results.

Details of additional help for education leavers is available on the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s Signposts website.

Report received from RSE independent external review

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:29:21 GMT

The independent report into the relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum taught at Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) High School is appropriate and lessons should resume, but with improved parental communication and greater specialisation and training for teachers prior to its reintroduction.

The recommendations come from a comprehensive independent external review which examined the preparation and delivery of sex education lessons at QEII High School after some parents raised concerns in February 2023.

The RSE curriculum, which was introduced in secondary schools in September 2020, was paused in all schools whilst the review took place.

Investigators spoke to a range of stakeholders including parents, teachers, senior school staff and health and education officials before handing over their report.

The report highlights the need for better training for teachers, consideration of a different delivery model for RSE and improved communication with parents.

The executive summary of the report can be found on the downloadable documents section of DESC's website.

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said:

‘I welcome the report and thank all the parents, teachers and officers who have contributed.'

New Headteacher for Marown Primary School

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:42:27 GMT

Marown Primary School will have a new Headteacher in February 2024.

Anna Jackson will continue as Headteacher at Peel Clothworkers’ School and take the helm of Marown when Ian Longshaw retires after 15 years in charge.

Mrs Jackson is an experienced school leader, who has a passion for inclusion, intentional thinking and employability skills for the learners.

She said:

‘Working in schools that play a genuine part in the life of a community is a real pleasure and I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead a team of like-minded professionals, and build upon their successes’.

In her 10 years in charge, Anna has successfully guided the western school through two external validations and has previous teaching experience at St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School and Ballacottier Primary School, both in Douglas.

Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said:

‘I am delighted that Anna has accepted this important role and would like to thank Ian for all he has done for the children and staff at Marown, over the last 15 years.'

Marown currently has 165 pupils and 422 attend the Peel Clothworkers’ school.