Isle of Man Guide

THE Department of Education and Children is pleased to announce that David Jenkins has been appointed Headteacher of Dhoon Primary School.

Mr Jenkins, who is currently Deputy Headteacher of St John’s Primary School, succeeds Fran McLean, who is retiring at the end of the autumn term after 12 years in charge of the school and 36 years in teaching.

Mr Jenkins graduated from Reading University in 1998 with a degree in history and Qualified Teacher Status. He took up his first post in the London borough of Redbridge, as an NQT, before moving to a second school in the area as an ICT coordinator.

In 2003, he returned to his native Isle of Man to take up a post at Onchan School as Literacy Coordinator.

Since then, he has worked at Ashley Hill School and enjoyed a year as a member of the Island’s peripatetic team. He has been Deputy Headteacher at St John’s School since February 2007.

‘I’m so proud and genuinely honoured to be joining the wonderful team at Dhoon. I know that together we can continue to build on the outstanding work that Mrs McLean inspired,’ Mr Jenkins said. ‘Naturally, I’m sad to be leaving St John’s as I have enjoyed every minute of working here and I feel privileged to have worked with such a hard-working, dedicated staff and such fantastic children.’

Mr Jenkins was educated at St Ninian’s High School. He is a keen football fan and enjoys walking, cinema, music and travel.

Mrs McLean was appointed headteacher in January 1999 after six months as acting head and, before that, six years as infant teacher. Prior to that she taught at Laxey Primary School.

She said:

‘The staff at Dhoon are a genuine team and I have always appreciated this as one of the many things that make Dhoon special.

‘There have been many changes during my time as headteacher. The numbers on role have doubled and the facilities have improved greatly, but the sense of community and the feel of “extended family” have remained. I feel very privileged to have been part of this and will take away hundreds of happy memories, especially those interwoven with the Manx elements of the curriculum.’

Martin Barrow, Senior Adviser, expressed the Department’s best wishes to Mrs McLean on her retirement saying:

‘Mrs McLean has been an inspirational headteacher for Dhoon School and has led its development into a school which achieves the highest standards through providing exciting and engaging learning experiences for its pupils.’

Arrangements are still being put in place that will determine how soon Mr Jenkins can be released from his current post, but it is intended that he will take up the headship at Dhoon as soon as possible after Christmas.

Dhoon School has 101 pupils on its register.

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