A new Director of Education has been appointed.
Geoff Moorcroft will take over the position from Martin Barrow, who retires at Easter after a 36-year career in education.
Mr Moorcroft will oversee the running of the Department of Education and Children’s 38 schools, the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education and the central Education Improvement Service, which advises and ensures standards in schools.
Mr Moorcroft studied English at Keele University and then, after a year working abroad, undertook a PGCE at Manchester University. He came to the Isle of Man in 1989 and began his first teaching post at Rushen School. He moved to Scoill Phurt le Moirrey, as the Deputy Headteacher, when it opened in 1994 and then became the school’s headteacher. In 2009, he moved to a school improvement role and he became the Co-ordinating Adviser for Primary Education in 2012.
While in the role of School Improvement Adviser, Mr Moorcroft has supported and challenged schools to improve, has led the development of the Isle of Man Curriculum Framework – Essentials for Learning, supported the induction programme for newly qualified teachers, co-ordinated the Department’s approach to learning skills and dispositions and co-ordinated the support for the moderation of maths. Latterly, he has led the primary team, sharing responsibility for the overall management of the Education Improvement Service and co-ordinating the appointment of senior staff.
‘I am delighted to have been offered this exciting opportunity,’ said Mr Moorcroft ‘and look forward to working with colleagues to continue to improve the educational chances available to children and young people on the Island.
‘The Isle of Man’s rich and diverse cultural heritage provides a unique context for learning and offers the opportunity for our Island to be a world leader in this field.’
Mr Moorcroft lives in Castletown with his wife, Nicola, and they have three children, who all attend Castle Rushen High School. He is studying for a Masters Degree in Education and, in his spare time, enjoys walking, travelling and cooking.
Professor Ronald Barr, CEO of the Department of Education and Children, said: ‘I am delighted that Geoff has accepted this appointment. He brings a wealth of experience to this role, having had senior management experience in schools and through his time as a school improvement adviser in the Department, which will only benefit education and the Island’s children.’
