Two Doncaster teachers to spend year on one of world's most remote islands

Luke Maguire from Don Valley Academy and Ryan Moody (Rossington All Saints Academy) will be joined by Briony Purdy, from Garforth Academy near Leeds on St Helena in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in September in a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.

The remote island is a whopping 5,400 miles away from Doncaster – and the trio are heading south as part of a partnership between the island’s secondary school and Delta Academies Trust.

The British territory, with a population of around 4,500, sits off the west coast of Africa, 1,210 miles from Angola to the east and 2,500 miles from Brazil to the west.

Luke was “thrilled” to have been selected.

“I can’t wait to begin teaching on Saint Helena,” he said.

“As advisory yeacher of science, I’m looking forward to collaborating with colleagues and supporting the continued development of science across the school.”

Ryan’s “really excited” to be also taking on the role of advisory science teacher.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with staff and students across the island, sharing ideas and supporting great science teaching in the classroom,” he said.

“A big thank you to Delta and the principal of St Helena for giving me this opportunity. I’m very grateful for the support and can’t wait to get started.”

Briony will take up the role of advisory teacher of English.

Saint Helena Secondary School, the only one on the island to serve Years 7 to 13, approached Delta.

Trust Executive Principal Chris McCall said: “We work with many schools in a supportive role across the UK, however the approach from Saint Helena was certainly unusual.

“The Saint Helena partnership allows us to give our staff a once in a lifetime opportunity whilst simultaneously developing their leadership skills and boosting the life chances of young people.”

A new wave of staff will be given the opportunity to fly out next year and build on the work done by the first.

Delta’s Chief Executive Officer Andy Barnett was delighted with the initiative.

“I am excited about the opportunities it will bring, firstly, to the children in St Helena and, secondly, to the staff selected to experience a different way of life,” Andy said.

“It is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to develop colleagues and another benefit of being part of a large Trust which is prepared to offer these experiences.

Saint Helena Island is perhaps best known as the place selected for Napoleon’s imprisonment after his escape from Elba in 1815.

The 10-mile by 5-mile tropical island is one of the most isolated spots on the planet.

Phil Toal, Headteacher at Saint Helena Secondary School, said: “I would like to extend sincere thanks to Delta Academies Trust for supporting our ongoing educational improvement work.

“Without Delta’s supportive stance to offer secondments, St Helena Secondary would face challenges in meeting curriculum demands across its core subjects.

“Delta’s commitment to partnership working is making a tangible difference to the educational provision available to young people on St Helena.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming this wave of Delta teachers to our small island.”