School reviews 'foundation' for future improvement

The initial findings of an assessment of Isle of Man schools has provided "foundation for future improvement", the education minister has said.

The process, expected to take three years, involved a team from external validators Etio, visiting schools over a six to eight–week period.

They spoke to learners, met with staff, reviewed school data and observed lessons.

Daphne Caine said while a number of settings were yet to be externally validated, "patterns" were beginning to emerge, providing "a clear, evidence based foundation" for changes in key areas.

"This overview provides a clear roadmap for future growth and improvement, ensuring that our education system continues to evolve and thrive," she said.

A framework for the evaluations, the pilot for which began in last year, is set to be published in July, and process will then be rolled out to all of the island's schools and other educational settings by July 2026.

Among the findings was the need for an emphasis on a curriculum that was more accessible to "diverse learning needs".

This was echoed under areas for growth and development, where the report called for an "inclusive curriculum tailored to diverse learner needs".

That was also true of teaching approaches, the report said.

"Teachers should be encouraged to not only facilitate learning but to monitor learner understanding dynamically," it continued.

For younger children, there should be a larger focus on play, it said, with early years education an area identified for future growth and development.

It called for the development of "play-based learning approaches" where play was a "central component of learning".

This was "critical for laying the groundwork for future academic success", it said.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture said an educational leadership team was being formed as a result of this report.

That will be made up of primary and secondary school leaders, representatives of University College Isle of Man, as well as departmental officers.

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