OUR CONTRIBUTION
INNOVATION
Every child deserves an excellent education and a good start in life. King William’s College and The Buchan School are a small part of the Isle of Man school system – educating approximately 7% of children – yet we make an important and positive contribution to our Island’s education system, community and economy by providing choice, excellence, extra capacity, innovation and an education that is both distinctive and of the highest quality. King William’s College is a registered charity and the only independent school on the Isle of Man.
Educational Contribution & Impact
King William’s College and The Buchan School educate 7% of Isle of Man children: 630 pupils – 380 at College, 160 at the Buchan and 90 at the Nursery. We are the highest performing school on the Isle of Man. At The Buchan School we offer a tailored prep school curriculum and at King William’s College the only qualification we offer in the Sixth Form is the International Baccalaureate. The IB philosophy of skills-based learning and internationalism extends throughout the entire school.
We are one of only 102 schools in whole of British Isles that offers the IB Diploma. Our international students bring a global perspective, enrich the community and are a vital pipeline to British universities. We are the only school on the Isle of Man to offer boarding and almost all our Sixth Formers proceed to university.
WIDENING ACCESS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- Extensive programme of bursary support.
- Seek to enable as many families as possible to send their children to the school.
- Support funded through fee income.
- 11% of total revenue goes on assistance to parents.
- Offer Assisted Places Scheme and Lower Fourth Scholarships and Awards.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Through the Community, Action, Service (CAS) programme of the IB all our Sixth Formers participate in community initiatives including, running a weekly soup kitchen for senior citizens and competing in the Island’s Charity Challenge competition. The School also raises funds for numerous local charities. The Buchan Choir and College Chapel Choir perform at services and events throughout the Island. There are live screenings in King’s Court Theatre and our facilities are available for hire.
CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL ECONOMY
- Employ over 190 – second largest employer in the south of the Island (after the airport).
- Overall budget is nearly £9 million – equivalent to just over 0.1% of the Isle of Man’s GDP.
- Our international boarders bring in approximately £1.5 million to the Island economy a year.
- Extensive supply chain on the Island, particularly in respect to utilities and catering.
- Our spending on capital projects, using local contractors, puts £500,000 to £1 million in to the local economy every year.
- Save the state sector considerable funds through parents not taking up state school places.
ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER ISLAND SCHOOLS
King William’s College and The Buchan School take part in island wide academic, performing arts and sport competitions. Our Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is the only one on the Island and since 2013 has been run in conjunction with Castle Rushen High School, which makes up a third of its membership. We work closely with other schools on the Island and the Department of Education, Sport and Culture on pastoral matters and by attending each other’s training programmes. We also offer SAT and PSAT exams to external students.
WIDER COMMUNITY BENEFIT
- Presence of independent school can be key factor when families are considering relocation.
- School works with Department of Enterprise to promote Island as an attractive destination.
- We travel extensively every year, promoting the school and our unique selling point of the Isle of Man.
- To compete with other jurisdictions it is important island has flourishing independent school.
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