Difficulty recruiting staff in a number of key areas on the Isle of Man has been an ongoing problem for years.

But there have been some recent success stories especially when would-be employers are prepared to take a proactive role.

Adrienne Burnett, head teacher at Ballakermeen High School, says: ’There will always be challenges in education and there is no doubt that, wherever you are in the British Isles, teacher recruitment is one such challenge which mirrors what schools in the UK are dealing with.

’However, this is such an exciting time to join the profession and the Isle of Man is firmly focused on developing young people who are resourceful, adaptable, self-confident and innovative.’

Adrienne, who has been at the helm of the island’s largest secondary school since 2001, believes the benefits of becoming a teacher in the Isle of Man are second to none and she is optimistic about the future of recruitment.

However, with the school age population increasing in England and recruitment of trainee teachers failing to keep pace, Isle of Man school heads need to stay ahead of the curve.

Since 2015, representatives of the island’s five secondary schools have visited recruitment fairs and universities in the north west of England to deliver presentations to trainee teachers.

Adrienne says: ’It is imperative we keep a close eye on what is happening elsewhere and respond appropriately in our own context.’

She goes on to explain how they have managed to get around Covid-related travel restrictions by finding new ways to recruit: ’In the current climate, we have all had to adapt. At Ballakermeen we now provide a video with some great footage of the island, alongside examples of school life. I then follow that up with an online presentation with time for questions.

’To name just a few, feedback from Edge Hill University and Liverpool John Moores has been very positive and I will also be visiting Manchester Metropolitan University "virtually" in June.

’In terms of the normal interview process, candidates would travel over to the island to visit the school and they would be required to teach as part of the interview process. Due to our borders being closed, we had to interview via Skype and Teams as we could obviously not see the candidates in front of a class of students - who are very astute and get the measure of prospective teachers very quickly.

Given the uncertainty of the last year, it is particularly pleasing, when I reflect back to last September, that we were able to appoint some excellent candidates via this process. Three of Ballakermeen’s new teachers applied after they received recommendations from others, three had links with the island, such as family members, and one had previously taught in the island.’

Incentives such as relocation expenses and a housing allowance have also helped as has the more intangible benefit of a potentially better work-life balance in the island.

Andrew Clayton, who moved here from Huddersfield to take up a teaching post at Ballakermeen, says he loves his new lifestyle and describes his new home as ’a great place to live and work’.

He has been enjoying exploring the island’s glens and hiking trails, not to mention coasteering, paddleboarding and the challenging rock climbing opportunities the island’s landscape provides.

A social media campaign, run in association with Locate.im and the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, has also brought some positive results. Since it launched, more than 100 UK teachers have registered their interest on the website, including teachers of maths, science and computer studies, subjects which have historically struggled to attract sufficient numbers.

Adrienne says: ’Three teachers of mathematics originally registered on the website and I was able to make direct contact with them and explain about forthcoming opportunities, as well as promoting the island.

’We had seven firm applications and we appointed two from the social media campaign.

’This is in what traditionally has been a shortage area: in 20 years of headship, I cannot remember the last time that I had such a strong field of teacher applications.

’In addition, the recent two-page feature in The Times Educational Supplement showcased three teachers who have settled in the island.

’It not only outlined the benefits of living and working here but really extolled the wonderful welcome each has been given, both at school and in their social lives, which is a further example of why I am optimistic about the island’s position.’

It’s not all about recruiting from the UK. All five secondary schools and UCM have been developing ways to recruit and train ’home-grown’ teachers.

Adrienne says: ’Although we can train our own teachers, there is no guarantee there will be a post available at the end of the process.

’That said, so far at Ballakermeen we have trained at least seven staff and each one has been offered, and has accepted, a permanent teaching post once qualified. It is always very satisfying to make a home-grown appointment because I don’t have to worry about the teacher not settling in or feeling homesick.’

She adds that all the head teachers in the island do everything they can to welcome new teaching recruits, whether ’home-grown’ or from further afield.

Rachel Lucas relocated to the island from Northern Ireland in August 2020. She also came to take up a teaching post at Ballakermeen.

She says: ’My head teacher, Adrienne, even arranged viewings of property for us and had furniture delivered. She has gone out of her way to help and the island already feels a very natural fit.’

As Adrienne says: ’There will always be challenges being on an island.

’For example, academies in the UK are free to set their own pay scales and that means there are numerous financial incentives available that Manx schools cannot match.

’Our borders being closed has also undoubtedly been a challenge, but we are now in the transition stage of the exit framework, with the "release phase" definitely on the horizon. Some of our young teachers from across will naturally miss their friends and family, but they feel safe over here and supported. That is worth a lot.’

’And what we can offer in other ways is so unique and authentic to us, not to mention schools full of wonderful young people.’