Manx Maxim

Alligators. Snakes. Do not feed the wildlife. Three instructions by a lake — and three lessons every leader needs to hear.

The moment a crowd remembered who they were — and what school leaders can learn from it as the hardest half term of the year begins

In recent years, the Isle of Man has introduced a new quality assurance (QA) mechanism for schools, featuring an inspection element called "external validation." As an Executive Headteacher overseeing Dhoon, Laxey, and Willaston Schools, I have firsthand experience with this system. This blog provides an in-depth look at external validation, comparing it favorably to the OFSTED regime in England, and reflecting on its impact on my schools.