What do you like about working at your school?

I like the structure and layout of the school day, the 50 minute lessons. I like the close relationships shared by all departments, but especially within the RE department. I like the level of support I have received from all staff and the open-door policy held by senior members of staff.

How have you been supported since joining your school?

As an NQT I have gained a lot of support. Senior leadership have played an important role in my development as a teacher, they have monitored my progress closely and have offered extra support and recommended me for CPD sessions.

The RE department have been very supportive. I have a weekly mentor meeting, I have had additional mentor support specifically aimed at KS4 and preparation for examinations. I have been welcomed into other classrooms, which has allowed me to observe outstanding practice and further develop my own pedagogy.

I have been encouraged to participate in other activities outside of my own department and this has improved my working relationships with both staff and students.

What have you done that you are proud of whilst working at your school?

I am proud to have made it half way through my NQT year. I am proud of the positive impact I have had on my students and the brilliant relationships we have formed. I am proud of the skills I have developed, for example guided questioning.

What are the students like to work with?

The majority of students have been amazing to work with! Most of my classes are engaged, excitable and eager to learn and do well. The behaviour at St Ninians is excellent, this is down the support from senior leadership and a closely followed behaviour pyramid which allows me to teach and not spend my time dealing with poor behaviour.

What extra-curricular activities do you get involved in?

Since joining St Ninians I have worked closely with the Special Needs Department who have allowed me to work with their students and further develop my knowledge and understanding of SEN.

I have spent time working with the Drama Department and have monitored a year 9 shelter group, watching them grow in confidence and see them confidently reading and memorising scripts has been inspirational.

I run an RE catch up club each week, most weeks I am pleased to see a full classroom of students who want to further their understanding of topics we have covered in class and spend time perfecting homework or assessments.

How have you been developed professionally?

I have found the INSET days really interesting, I really like the flexibility of the sessions – how you can decide which area and CPD you would like to attend. My NQT sessions with Jan Gimbert have been excellent, the opportunity to sit down and discuss personal experiences and good teaching practice with other NQT’s has been invaluable and something that has helped me get through the year. The training days on Safeguarding have been very informative and practical and they have given me to confidence to deal with any situation that my be highlighted at school.

What professional development and career opportunities do you think will be open in the future?

I would like to continue developing my understanding of marking techniques and feedback. For example, DIRT. These techniques have allowed me to take control of my workload and better support the needs of my students by hearing their ideas and views on their own work. I would like further instruction on peer and self-assessment techniques.

I would ultimately like to move towards Special Needs Education and hope to take part in CPD sessions in this area.

I will be developed further in the area of GCSE Examinations. I will learn how to construct exams, mark exams and create resources to support learners through the exam process. Something that I have recently been instructed on is creating a valuable revision session for year 11 students.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of relocating to the Isle of Man?

It was a huge decision to move from The Wirral. I was leaving behind friends and family to start a new life somewhere completely different.

Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it is challenging getting used to a new place and trying to make new friends. But, I can honestly say that it was the best decision I have made and I would not look back. I hope that I will remain at St Ninians for many years to come.

What is the best thing about living on the Isle of Man?

The views – especially for dog walking!
Nature and wildlife! Seeing bottle-nosed dolphins was a dream come true!
The sense of community
The opportunity for adventure sports and fitness
The culture and history
In my experience, the locals have been very welcoming and supportive and have made my relocation easy! I have made many friends and now view the Island as my home.

What do you like about working at your school?

The Staff are incredibly friendly and students also very friendly and respectful, at least 3 students thank me at the end of every lesson. The work life balance is truly respected but Staff are still willing to work hard to get the best for students. My place of work is only 5 minutes from home (from 50 minutes in the UK!). Working at St Ninian’s High School I have the freedom as a middle leader to innovate and try new strategies.

How have you been supported since joining your school?

Completely, my line manager has been amazing, and the Island financially supported my move. I have had the full support and trust of my head since beginning my job.

What have you done that you are proud of whilst working at your school?

Changed the way coursework is delivered to students, boosting the C+% by over 30%. Become part of an already established team, and managed to get buy in for the way I lead. Joined the 5 aside team Vs another School and consistently beat them most weeks.

What are the students like to work with?

Very polite and incredibly able, and most students are open to classroom humour which fits my style of teaching perfectly. Students are also very compliant, and threats of detention are rarely required to get students to do as asked, they are happy to help out..

What extra-curricular activities do you get involved in?

Not much at the moment, only staff 5 aside as I’ve just had my second child, so time is at a premium at the moment! However I do manage to partake in the lunchtime chess club.

How have you been developed professionally?

I have been given the opportunity to take on whole school responsibility once I have got into the swing of the job, and also I know that the option of doing an NPQSL qualification is possible in the future.

What support do you get?

At this point I haven’t needed much support, however I have had the backing of senior team for all my initiatives and in situations where I have foreseen potential issues, the Head and senior staff have agreed to join me in required meetings and speak with individual students and staff if required.

What professional development and career opportunities do you think will be open in the future?

As mentioned above, I hope to complete an NPQSL qualification and become and Assistant head teacher in the next few years.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of relocating to the Isle of Man?

Do it! It’s a great experience, life here is vibrant and outdoors, and on your doorstep. Ensure you find some social activities when you get here and you will find that you develop some instant friendship groups. Get chatting to people about what they do, and the “small world” of the island will do the rest! Also, don’t worry too much about moving costs as the Island government has an excellent relocation package.

What is the best thing about living on the Isle of Man?

Relaxed pace of life, with the view of the sea from pretty much anywhere! Everywhere is close, which means you don’t waste time travelling and I get to spend more time with my family in beautiful seaside locations, in amazing forested foothills or looking out at the 7 kingdoms from the top of Snaefell.

From a teacher perspective, no Ofsted, which gives you the freedom to get on with the job and get the best for students, without fear that you aren’t ticking the relevant box for whatever is the flavour of the moment.

What do you like about working at your school?

• Students are always pleasant and respectful
• It is like a ‘family’
• Excellent opportunity for CPD
• Staff are friendly and helpful
• A place where you can teach, without expending all energy on behaviour management
• A supportive environment for all new staff
• SMT are approachable and helpful, providing advice and guidance
• Opportunities to work with other colleagues in school improvement
• Great opportunities to enhance your career prospects

How have you been supported since joining your school?

• SMT support – advice and guidance
• CPD island-wide
• Line management support, advice and guidance
• HoD support in developing ideas and strategies to improve and enhance teaching

What are the students like to work with?

After joining SNHS, I was promoted to 2nd in Mathematics within my first couple of months of starting. I felt that I was empowered to support the HoD and also colleagues within the department, with all staff very supportive of my new position.

I was also given the opportunity to become the Sixth Form Co-ordinator (deputy to Head of Sixth Form), which was something that I relished and thoroughly enjoyed putting my own ideas into the current Sixth Form setup.

I then had the opportunity to become Head of Sixth Form, leading the Sixth Form tutor team and students – a role that has given me the opportunity to develop my

All-in-all I have been successful in gaining promotion and developing my career prospects since arriving at SNHS.

What extra-curricular activities do you get involved in?

I have been involved in a lot of the activities in school, some relating to just the teaching staff such as football, walking races, running, 5-a-side, etc.. and some activities linked to students such as the Summer BBQ, University Visit and Army Residential. There is always lots of clubs to get involved in such as book club, a number of residentials, DofE, etc…

How have you been developed professionally?

There has been many opportunities to develop my career in teaching through my promotion’s but also alongside my CPD. If there is an opportunity to attend a course that will have an impact on you as an individual or your career, then the school is very supportive.

What support do you get?

I have been fortunate to have support from the Headteacher, SMT, my line manager and also my HoD. Each person brings different ideas and allows for unique support and guidance when I have required it. There is always someone available to support and you never feel alone.

What professional development and career opportunities do you think will be open in the future?

I think there is a wide range of career opportunities in teaching for anyone thinking of coming to the Isle of Man.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of relocating to the Isle of Man?

• Research where you would ideally like to be based (although you could access any of the high schools from any point on the island)
• Come to the island and spend a few days “looking” about
• Visit one of the schools (I’m in no doubt that they would be accommodating)
• Look at some of the school websites to gauge an idea of what happens in and out of school
• Look at some of the local papers to get an idea of opportunities outside of school
• Less travel time
• Freedom to flourish whilst teaching

What is the best thing about living on the Isle of Man?

• Lots of sporting activities to compete in
• The beach is only 5 minutes away
• Lovely open spaces for walking or relaxing
• Friendly and approachable people
• Low crime rate
• No motorways

What do you like about working at your school?

What I love most about my job is the sense of belonging around the school, both staff and students make all the hard work worth it.

How have you been supported since joining your school?

I have had continued support from the very beginning of my time at St Ninian’s High School. From my first week when I was invited to a meeting with other new members of staff, NQT’s and members of SLT, to termly meetings to discuss my progress and how I am getting on.

What have you done that you are proud of whilst working at your school?

I recently took part in the Year 6 Opening evening, encouraging possible future new students to come to St Ninian’s High School. We had many Key Stage 3 pupils that wanted to help and show their work to visitors, this gave me a great feeling of satisfaction to see so many of our current pupils promoting the school and for highlighting the importance of Computing in the curriculum and everyday life.

What are the students like to work with?

Students behave in a mature and sensible manner around school. They are polite to each other and show respect for their teachers. The students at St Ninian’s High School make a strong contribution to their own learning by attending regular lunch time catch up sessions and independent study and are keen to do well.

What extra-curricular activities do you get involved in?