We spoke to Mr Williams and Mr Boyd to learn more about how The Island Free School (TIFS) was created and what sets it apart from other schools.
Mr Williams explained that the school officially started in 2012, but a lot of planning went into it before it even opened. Him and Mr Boyd spent a long time deciding what kind of school they wanted to build.
For example, they introduced an extra curriculum at the end of the day (enrichments) and made sure that mentors sit at the end of lunch tables, so there is always an adult around to support pupils and make sure everyone is included.
Two years before opening, the school had to present its budgets, plans, and how it would run to the government to gain approval.
The school was built in Ventnor because at the time it was considered a deprived area, and there was no secondary school there. While the current building was being constructed, the school was temporarily based at St Catherine’s.
Mr Williams also explained that the aim of the school is to build a strong sense of community. This is why there are whole-school events like sports day, the summer show, school productions, and the Bonnie Challenge for Year 7s.
Although the school may seem strict at times, the rules are there to create a safe and focused learning environment for everyone.
Mr Boyd wanted to create a new secondary school because he felt that other schools on the island were not fully meeting pupils’ educational needs.
He has 28 years of teaching experience currently so he had plenty of experience working in schools before TIFS. His first teaching job was at Ventnor Middle School (now St Francis Primary), where he was mentored by Mr Milton.
After that, he moved to Yorkshire for three years, where he worked as a Head of Maths at a private school. He then returned to the Isle of Wight and worked as a Head of Year, Head of Maths, and Assistant Headteacher before going on to build TIFS.
What Makes TIFS Different?
According to both Mr Williams and Mr Boyd, what sets TIFS apart is that it is a calm and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable and motivated to learn.
Overall, TIFS started as a carefully planned idea and has grown into a school with a strong community and clear values. It’s great to see how much effort went into creating the school we have today!
By Issac S & Tallulah M