Department of Education, Sport and Culture
617 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 38.1%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture reveal an authority deeply entangled in the controversy of the St Thomas' Primary School co-location proposal. A significant portion of the casework (over 14 related cases) focuses on this issue, where the Department frequently employed a 'practical refusal' or 'already public' defense to withhold decision-making correspondence (e.g., 354839, 354847), while simultaneously disclosing granular data on pupil catchments (354959) and the fact that the school paid no rent (467435). This pattern suggests a strategy of transparency on operational metrics but obstruction on political and strategic deliberations. The data also exposes a complex relationship between the state and religious groups; while the Department confirmed regular visits by the Child Evangelism Fellowship (354861), it actively blocked access for the abortion reform group HEAR (354831), highlighting a selective gatekeeping of external influences in schools.
Key Cases
Case 354861 — Reveals the systematic presence of the Child Evangelism Fellowship in Isle of Man schools, providing a detailed breakdown of visit frequencies, which raises questions about the separation of church and state in public education.
Case 354831 — Discloses a specific incident where the abortion reform group HEAR attempted to access pupils at St Mary's School and was declined, offering a rare glimpse into the Department's vetting of controversial external groups.
Case 361143 — Highlights a significant administrative error and subsequent correction regarding public objections to the St Thomas' co-location (initially 403 signatures, corrected to 413), demonstrating the volatility of the consultation process.
Case 467435 — Confirms that St Thomas' School paid zero rent to the Department for the building, parking, and playgrounds over three years, a crucial financial fact in the debate over the school's viability and the co-location proposal.
Case 354883 — Discloses that eight unqualified teachers were employed in training roles across four secondary schools, raising concerns about the quality of education and staffing standards during the 2016/17 academic year.
Related FOI Stories
The St Thomas' Co-location Saga — #354839, #354847, #354849, #358135, #354867
Home Education and Legal Enforcement — #354833, #354857, #354875, #358137, #354911
School Performance Data and Statistical Gaps — #354791, #354801, #354809, #354815, #354925
Religious Influence and External Visits — #354851, #354831, #354861, #354877, #512133
Staffing, Employment, and Discipline — #354805, #354813, #354883, #354945, #354947
All (617)
All information sent (235) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (116) ·
Some information sent but not all held (110) ·
Information not held (56) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (48) ·
Upheld - partial (17) ·
Not upheld (15) ·
Upheld - full (8) ·
Not required to fulfill request (8) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (1) ·
Repeated request (1) ·
Neither confirm or deny information held (1) ·
Information Notice (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-09-12 | Pupil Achievement KS2 | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request for Key Stage 2 pupil achievement data for 2017 was submitted to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, but the authority withheld all information citing exemptions despite holding the data. | ||
| 2017-09-11 | Pupil Achievement KS3 | All information sent |
| A request was made for details on KS3 pupil assessment and setting policies across Isle of Man secondary schools, to which the Department of Education responded with specific data for Ballakermeen High School and Castle Rushen High School. | ||
| 2017-09-09 | Child complaints re physical/sexual abuse by teachers | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for statistics on child complaints against teachers regarding physical, sexual, and emotional abuse since 1996, including investigation and prosecution outcomes. The Department of Education disclosed that the number of complaints in each category over the past six years is five or fewer, confirmed all were investigated, and stated that disciplinary or prosecution outcomes were also five or fewer, while withholding specific historical data due to legal exemptions. | ||
| 2017-08-31 | Arbory catchment area | Not required to fulfill request |
| A request was made to determine the number of primary school-aged children living in the Arbory catchment area who attend schools outside that area. The Department of Education refused the request, citing that the information is not held in the required format and compiling it would require substantial analysis not mandated by the Freedom of Information Act. | ||
| 2017-08-29 | How many out of Catchment Requests requests have been made and approved (14/6/17 to date (St Thomas/Vall | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought details on out-of-catchment school applications for Scoill Vallajeelt linked to the St Thomas' relocation proposal between June 2017 and August 2017. The Department of Education partially disclosed that fewer than 5 applications were received and approved, all citing the relocation, but withheld specific dates and individual details due to privacy exemptions. | ||
| 2017-08-22 | Permanent and updated pupil numbers at all schools | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for permanent school capacity figures and updated projected pupil rolls for the 2017/2018 academic year on the Isle of Man. The Department of Education refused to provide the 2017/2018 data as exempt because it was incomplete and intended for future publication, while directing the requester to an existing website for capacity figures. | ||
| 2017-08-18 | Declined applications for pupils with physical disablilites because St Thomas could not facilitate their needs | All information sent |
| 2017-08-16 | SEN complaints & requests for assistance | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on SEN complaints and assistance requests from parents over the past five years, but the Department of Education refused to provide the information. | ||
| 2017-08-16 | No. of children receiving home education | All information sent |
| A Freedom of Information request was made to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture regarding the number of children receiving home education. The authority disclosed the total count, broken down by primary and secondary school levels, confirming all requested information was sent. | ||
| 2017-08-14 | Selected Primary School Improvement Plans #2 | All information sent |
| A Freedom of Information request sought School Improvement Plans and related governance details for five specific primary schools on the Isle of Man. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture provided the requested plans and confirmed that no recommendations were submitted by the governing bodies, though minor redactions were applied to protect personal data. | ||
| 2017-08-06 | Pupil breakdown in SVJ & Douglas/Braddan areas per FoI ref. IM93918I | All information sent |
| The request sought a breakdown of correspondence regarding the proposed co-location of St Thomas' and Scoill Vallajeelt schools sent to various officials between 29 July and 4 August 2017. The Department of Education disclosed data for its own members and officers but refused the request for elected representatives outside the department, citing a practical refusal reason. | ||
| 2017-08-03 | Selected Primary School Improvement Plans | All information sent |
| The requester asked for School Improvement Plans and related governance details for seven specific primary schools under the Articles of Government. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture responded by disclosing all requested information, including copies of the plans for the seven schools. | ||
| 2017-08-03 | How many Manx residents written to MHK's, Education Council Members, Senior Leaders re St Thomas/Vallajeelt | All information sent |
| 2017-07-31 | School attendence orders issued to home educators | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for statistics on school attendance orders issued to home educators since 2009 and instances where departmental powers were found lacking. The Department of Education refused to provide new information, citing an absolute exemption because the data was already publicly available via a previous FOI response and Tynwald Hansard. | ||
| 2017-07-31 | Entries of minutes correspondence St Thomas and Vallajeelt (Review request) | All information sent |
| 2017-07-30 | Will the education bill inc sections on co-location specific to sharing of secular and faith schools | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made to determine if the draft Education Bill would include sections on co-location of secular and faith schools, but the Department of Education, Sport and Culture withheld the information as the bill was still in the drafting phase. | ||
| 2017-07-30 | Amount of letters received regarding co-location of st.thomas'/Vallajeelt between 14/6 and 28/7 | All information sent |
| 2017-07-28 | Which stakeholders took part in the wide ranging consultation in regards to st.thomas'/scoill vallajeelt | All information sent |
| The requester asked which stakeholders participated in consultations regarding the St Thomas' school move and whether a planned visit to a faith school occurred. The Department of Education confirmed that only parents met with senior officials, no other stakeholder consultation has taken place, and the proposed faith school visit did not happen. | ||
| 2017-07-28 | Details of extension/redevelopment of Onchan, Scoill yn Jubilee and Willaston schools | All information sent |
| 2017-07-27 | What properties do the Department currently hold on its portfolio | All information sent |
| The Department of Education, Sport and Culture provided a comprehensive list of its current property portfolio, including schools, sports facilities, and land, in response to a Freedom of Information request. The response also detailed specific disposals made over the last five years and confirmed that no properties were marked for disposal in the following 12 months. | ||
| 2017-07-22 | What is the adjusted total number of students attending St Thomas school in Sept 2017. | All information sent |
| 2017-07-18 | How many unqualified teachers | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the number, subjects, and roles of unqualified teachers in Isle of Man secondary schools for the 2016/17 academic year. The Department of Education disclosed that eight staff members were employed as unqualified teachers in training roles across four schools, with specific details provided on their teaching responsibilities and the absence of advertised posts at the time. | ||
| 2017-07-15 | Policy and Guidelines for historic child abuse allegations | Information not held |
| A request was made for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture's policy and guidelines on handling historic child abuse allegations by employees. The authority responded that no such specific policy document is held, instead advising the requester to contact the Police Public Protection Unit directly. | ||
| 2017-07-13 | Does DEC or Treasury receive any funds from St Thomas School | All information sent |
| The request asked whether the Department of Education or Treasury receives funds from churches for faith schools on the Isle of Man and if future talks are occurring. The response disclosed that St Thomas's School received £1,357 in ad-hoc resources from its church, while St Mary's School received unquantified resources, and confirmed no future funding talks are known. | ||
| 2017-07-06 | A list of speakers as representitives of a religious organisation in the last 2 years | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2017-07-04 | Truancy cases recorded this academic year | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture for the number of truancy cases recorded in the current academic year. The authority disclosed that 748 truancy sessions were recorded across all primary and secondary schools between September 2016 and July 2017. | ||
| 2017-07-03 | Co-location of St Thomas school to Vallajeelt | Information not held |
| A Freedom of Information request sought details on the co-location of St Thomas's school to Scooil Vallajeelt, including pupil postcodes, enrollment projections, and traffic analysis. The Department of Education disclosed the first four digits of pupil postcodes but refused to provide future enrollment projections or traffic analysis data, citing that the information was not held. | ||
| 2017-07-02 | Students attending university in the UK | Information not held |
| The request sought data on UK university students funded by the Isle of Man government for 2010-2013 and their subsequent return to full-time employment. The Department of Education provided the student attendance figures but refused the employment return data, citing that the information was not held and was subject to exemptions regarding future publication and policy formulation. | ||
| 2017-07-01 | Has a study been made by DEC on Homeschooling | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture for any studies conducted on homeschooling in the Isle of Man. The authority responded that no such study exists and therefore refused the request as the information is not held. | ||
| 2017-06-30 | Child Evangelism Fellowship - have they visited schools to discuss any subject matter | All information sent |
| The Department of Education, Sport and Culture confirmed that representatives of the Child Evangelism Fellowship visit various Isle of Man schools to deliver Bible story assemblies and prayers, providing a detailed breakdown of visit frequencies per school. | ||
| 2017-06-30 | How many written notices have been served on educated otherwise | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture for statistics on written notices, examinations, and convictions regarding children educated otherwise. The authority disclosed that less than five notices were served in the last two academic years, while confirming zero instances for examinations, attendance orders, revocations, and convictions. | ||
| 2017-06-26 | Do members of Living Hope Church hold DBS checks. | All information sent |
| 2017-06-25 | Copy of survey/costs etc Fairfield/Ballacloan within past 3 years | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2017-06-25 | Information on the proposal to co-locate St Thomas and Vallajeelt within last 24 months | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester sought correspondence, meeting minutes, and consultation details regarding the proposal to co-locate St Thomas and Vallajeelt schools within the last 24 months. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture refused to release the information, citing that it was already publicly available via a previous Freedom of Information response. | ||
| 2017-06-25 | Information and Correspondence of Henry Bloom Noble in relation to co-locate to HBN over past 5 years | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2017-06-25 | Information as presented to Headteachers for co-location of St Thomas and Vallajeelt over past 24 months | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2017-06-25 | When and whom took decision to co-locate St Thomas and Vallajeelt | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for details regarding the decision-making process and correspondence about co-locating St Thomas and Vallajeelt schools. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture refused to release the information, citing that it was already publicly available via a previous Freedom of Information response. | ||
| 2017-06-25 | Has any consultation been carried out re proposed co-location with public, parents or other body of St Thomas | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for correspondence, meeting minutes, and consultation details regarding the proposed co-location of St Thomas and Vallajeelt schools. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture refused to send the information, citing that it was already publicly available via a previous Freedom of Information response. | ||
| 2017-06-25 | Cost of running by reference to the funding provided by Church of England for St Thomas' past 3 years | All information sent |
| The request sought the running costs of St Thomas' Primary School over three years, specifically distinguishing between funding from the Department of Education and the Church of England. The authority disclosed that the Department covered the vast majority of expenditure, while Church funding was minimal, and confirmed the school does not pay rent. | ||
| 2017-06-25 | Details of works proposed to be carried out in refurb for Fairfield School over next 6-24 months | All information sent |
| 2017-06-25 | Details of works proposed to be carried out in refurb for Vallajeelt School over next 24 months | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2017-06-25 | Copies of law documents Harrison & Harrison V Stevenson | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request for copies of two specific legal documents regarding home education was refused by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture. The authority cited exemptions stating the information is already accessible to the public via other means and is held for policy development purposes. | ||
| 2017-06-25 | Information re co-location of St Thomas to Vallajeelt | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2017-06-25 | What meetings have taken place in last 24 months re co-location of St Thomas and Vallajeelt | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for details regarding meetings, correspondence, and decisions about the co-location of St Thomas and Vallajeelt schools over the last 24 months. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture refused to release the information, citing that it was already publicly available via a previous Freedom of Information response. | ||
| 2017-06-24 | Costs/Expenses for Minister and CEO to attend Island Games in Gotland 2017 | All information sent |
| The request sought details on travel costs for the Minister and CEO attending the 2017 Island Games in Gotland. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture disclosed full figures for flights, accommodation, and accreditation fees, along with subsistence allowance rules. | ||
| 2017-06-18 | Home Education Registration | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought documents referencing home education policies between January 2016 and June 2017, but the Department of Education partially refused the request citing exemptions related to government policy formulation and data protection. | ||
| 2017-06-16 | Have any members or individuals of Humanity and Equality in Abortion Reform visited primary or secondary schools | All information sent |
| The request asked if members of Humanity and Equality in Abortion Reform (HEAR) had visited or requested to visit Department of Education schools in the last six months. The authority confirmed no visits occurred within that timeframe but disclosed an incident where HEAR members presented to staff at St Mary's School in March 2017, which was declined for pupil access. | ||
| 2017-06-14 | Suggested closure/transfer of St Thomas' Primary School | All information sent |
| 2017-06-06 | Pupil Exclusions/Expulsions | All information sent |
| A request for information regarding pupil exclusions and expulsions was submitted to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture on June 6, 2017. The authority confirmed on July 4, 2017, that all requested information was sent, comprising 62 pages across one document. | ||
| 2017-06-01 | Creationism - is it taught or discussed in schools | All information sent |
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