Review looks at 'system as a whole' not individual schools, says Minister as first overview published

First 'annual overview' of Manx schools published by DESC

The education minister says a newly published report assessing Manx schools looks as the 'education system as a whole' and isn't about shaming particular schools.

The 'annual overview' is the first of three publications produced by Etio expected over the course of a three-year 'external validation' contract between October 2023 and July 2026.

It's based on the external validation of 14 schools and one education service between January 2024 and October 2024.

The move was announced back in December 2023, with the first groups of schools assessed - St Mary's RC, Peel Clothworkers, Kewaigue, Castle Rushen and QEII - in January 2024.

You can read more here.

Education Minister Daphne Caine has been speaking to Manx Radio:

IMPROVEMENTS

The report concludes with several 'emerging priorities by phase'.

It states that in the Early Years Foundation Stage, 'improving pedagogical approaches is vital for fostering effective early learning'.

Between Key Stage 2 (school years 3-6) and Key Stage 3 (years 7-9), there needs to be a more unified approach to learning.

The report states: "The alignment of pedagogical approaches between Primary Phase and High School is crucial for ensuring seamless learner development."

In Key Stage 3, schools need to align the curriculum and assessments. 

It says: "By aligning curriculum and assessment strategies, schools can significantly enhance learner outcomes."

Looking to high school, the report states improvements are needed in terms of attendance and behaviour.

The department says it has been 'restructuring the way it delivers change'.

This includes 'empowering leaders from across the education system to work collaboratively through a newly created Educational Leadership Team' to 'help to prioritise and drive forward improvements and develop a permanent capacity for change and improvement within the Department'.

The report can be found in full HERE.

You can hear Minister Daphne Caine's full interview with Siobhán Fletcher in our latest Newscast: