Isle of Man Guide

Congratulations to Ballakermeen High School. The school is the very first organisation in the Isle of Man to be recognised as meeting the Investors in People Model for Leadership & Management. The assessment was conducted in parallel with a Post Recognition Review under the Revised Investors in People Standard.

Adrienne Burnett, with representatives of the school leadership team and staff, receiving both the Investors in People and Leadership & Management award from Alex Downey, DTI Minister on behalf of all the school staff and students.

Ballakermeen High School, the largest secondary school in the Isle of Man has developed further its very good reputation. The approach to leadership and management within the school has evolved with the school’s progress, and has focussed on setting high targets and providing the support necessary for people to achieve them. The Head Teacher leads by example and encourages her managers to do likewise. The culture of the school and the approach to Leadership and Management has had a significant effect on the success of the school.

The school received a detailed follow up report from the assessor, which was full of supportive comments. Some of the evidence the assessor saw as particularly good practice, is as follows:

• ? Strong leadership and support for staff learning and development was shown by the Head Teacher and reflected in the actions of managers throughout the school. Their actions were acknowledged and appreciated by people who were interviewed.
• ? The leadership and management responsibilities of the Leadership Team, Faculty Heads, Subject Heads and Year Tutors had been defined and were understood by those concerned, and by those who they led and managed.
• ? There were many examples of leaders acting as role models in promoting the ethos of the school, and underlining the importance of vision, consultation, and supportiveness.
• ? The strategies for providing support and learning and development for managers and aspiring managers had resulted in examples of career progression and internal promotions within the school
• ? All leaders and managers played a role in the development and management of the School Strategic Action Plan. As a result, there was a widespread understanding of the school’s aims and objectives, and the role of people in achieving them.

“ Having Investors in People status and now Leadership and Management recognition is wonderful and is a very positive recognition for the school. Adrienne Burnett (Headteacher) said, “By far, the best reward is to see the effects of our work reflected in the success of our students. It is also an acknowledgement of the work of all our staff. We are all managers within the school, whatever our role. The award reflects the contribution to the school’s practices, organisation and development from everyone who works at Ballakermeen”

17th November 2005

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