Ten famous Manxies are to be celebrated at 10 of the island’s schools as part of a new initiative.

Information boards, each featuring a famous figure, have been installed in school playgrounds to teach students about the Isle of Man’s heritage and history.

The boards have been provided by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture Vannin, which have worked with author Jennifer Kewley-Draskau who wrote a book titled ’10 Famous Figures from Manx History’ for schools in 1997.

The images used on the boards are from a number of sources, including Manx National Heritage, and show Godred Crovan (King Orry), Sophia Morrison, Edward Christian, Edward Forbes, Illiam Dhone, Captain Quilliam, William Kennish, James Stanley and Bishop Wilson.

Each has been presented to a school with a link to the famous figure. A duplicate of the Sophia Morrison board in Manx Gaelic has been provided to Bunscoill Ghaelgagh at St John’s.

Jo Callister, advisory teacher for the Manx curriculum, said ’We are lucky to have worked with Jennifer on this project and the resulting online resources will now be of benefit to all island schools.

’DESC and Culture Vannin are looking forward to producing more of these signs in the future which will help support the teaching of local Manx heritage in our schools.’

James Franklin of Culture Vannin said ’There are many great role-models from within Manx history and it is important that we communicate this to the next generation of young Manx people.

’Being able to support this happening and spark children’s interest outside of the classroom in this way is a very exciting new direction, which we hope to build on in the future.’

Plans are under way to produce further boards each year with an initial focus on Manx women.

’10 Famous Figures from Manx History’ has been digitised and is available online for schools to access.

There are plans to digitise another of her titles, ’The Isle of Man in the Seventeenth Century’.