The Isle of Man has a well-deserved reputation as the jewel of the Irish Sea, with its green slopes, stunning scenery, and eccentric attractions.  It can be described as a one-of-a-kind place, with many breathtaking sights that enchant and awe the visitors.  It is home to five inclusive mixed secondary schools; Ballakermeen High School, St Ninians High School, Castle Rushen High School, Ramsey Grammar School, and Queen Elizabeth II High School.  The island provides a unique and beautiful setting to start your first job and a highly supportive and encouraging environment to build your experience and future career.

The Isle of Man is a Crown dependency, which means it has its own parliament and sets its own laws. Located in the middle of the Irish Sea, it is 40 minutes from Liverpool and 50 minutes from Ireland by plane. The island has its own airport with regular services to 11 different destinations such as Liverpool, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Belfast, and Edinburgh. There are daily ferry services to Heysham with extra sailings to Liverpool and Dublin at different times of the year.

The Island is small, only 33 miles by 13 miles, so you can easily explore its natural wonders. There is a lot to see and do, and the best part is, it’s all close by.  It is a haven for a rich variety of sea creatures, from small snails and seaweeds to big mammals. You may have a chance to see dolphins, seals, basking sharks, porpoises, or whales. You don’t have to stay on land to observe the Island’s marine life, you can also join them in the water by sea kayaking, snorkelling, or taking a boat tour with a local guide who will share with you a lot of information about the Manx wildlife.

The Island offers a wide range of scrumptious local foods, to fresh dairy products and homemade artisan breads to sweet delights such as ice cream, honey, and jams. The seafood is also top-notch. Manx Queenies, or queen scallops, are the Isle of Man’s National Dish and are a treat for any shellfish lovers.

As a Secondary teacher on the Isle of Man you could enjoy significant and generous financial benefits such as:

• First year Early Career Teacher’s, are entitled to two recruitment and retention payments of £2,000 each at the beginning of your second and third full years in teaching.
• Competitive salaries, starting from £36,577 (MPS4, the island does not start anyone on the lower main scale teaching salaries of MPS1-3) and rising to £46,716 UPS3.
• ECTs will teach fewer lessons than more experienced teachers in their first and second year, freeing up time for CPD.
• All teachers have a work time agreement which sets out a maximum contact load per week (22.5 hours) and stipulates maximum limits for ‘collegiate’ and ‘personal’ time. Teachers on the Isle of Man are therefore protected in terms of their workload.
• Help to pay your rent/mortgage while you settle in with a housing allowance up to £500 per month over 2 years.
• Financial support to get you, your family, and your belongings, including one motor vehicle, to the Isle of Man.  They will pay 70% of any removal or storage costs incurred.
• A subject shortage allowance of £500 a month for a maximum of 8 months is available if you are offered a permanent Maths, English or Science teaching position (without TLR).
• If you are relocating, you will receive financial help towards the costs of visiting to the Island to view housing and to visit your new school. You are eligible to receive up to £325 each for you and your partner and, if applicable, £140 each for up to 2 dependent children.
• For those relocating or returning to the island you will receive a refund on your national insurance contributions during the first 12 months of your employment, this could be up to £4,000!
• Teachers returning to the island who have participated in the Department’s Student Loan scheme for tuition fees, can apply for the loan to be repaid by the Department upon completion of the second year working as a teacher at one of the island’s secondary schools (subject to a maximum of £7,500 for a three year degree, or £10,000 for a four year degree course).
• Opportunities to gain additional qualifications (e.g. Leadership in Education’ Masters degree programme).
• Excellent Induction Programme and a focus on continued professional development.
• Education staff and teachers highly regarded by the community.
• All teachers are provided with a laptop.
• Wide variety of outdoor activities.
• Vibrant arts scene.
• Numerous sporting opportunities.
• NHS free healthcare system, state of the art hospital.
• 86% of residents say they have an excellent quality of life.
• Extensive coastline, stunning natural landscapes, and unspoilt beaches.
• Average commute time of 20 minutes.
• Low income tax.
• Rich in arts and cultural traditions.
• Opportunities for professional networking and collaboration across schools.