Non DESC External Teachers

Summary

The request sought details on non-DESC music tutors in primary schools, including specific data on schools, hours, and regulatory frameworks. The authority disclosed that no specific legislation regulates these tutors, provided a list of school policies and quality assurance measures in place, and released enclosed data for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 academic years.

Key Facts

• There is no specific provision within the Education Act 2001 to regulate non-DESC music tutors.
• Safeguarding responsibility for external tutors lies with the Head Teacher and school staff.
• Parents are contacted directly to make decisions regarding attendance and payment for private lessons.
• Quality assurances include DBS checks, safeguarding training, and lesson observations by school staff.
• The request covered the academic years 2018/19 and 2019/20.

Data Disclosed

• 2018/19
• 2019/20
• 10 September 2020
• 8 October 2020
• 1464673
• 5 pages
• 2 documents
• Education Act 2001
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Original Request

I formally request the following information about tutors (teachers, speakers, staff, etc) entering primary schools who are not employed by the Department of Education Sport and Culture.

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

Corporate Services Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Hamilton House Peel Road, Douglas IM1 5EZ Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im Our ref: 1464673

8 October 2020 Dear ###, We write further to your request which was received on 10 September 2020 and which states: Your request "Dear Sir/Madam, I formally request the following information about tutors (teachers, speakers, staff, etc.) entering primary schools who are not employed by the Department of Education Sport and Culture: 1) Which primary schools allow non-DESC music tutors to deliver lessons in their school. Please could this be broken down by name of primary school, number of tutors, hours taught and number of pupils taught. 2) What are the laws, policies and/or regulations surrounding non-DESC music tutors entering schools, recruiting children for lessons, removing children from mainstream education and charging for privately paid lessons? 3) What quality assurances and protections (i.e. lesson observations, performance management, safeguarding training, first aid training, teaching standards, national curriculum, DBS checks, etc.) are put in place by the DESC regarding external non- DESC music tutors? Please note that I am specifically talking about non-DESC tutors. I am deliberately excluding categories such as Primary Staff, Secondary Staff, Music Service Staff, UCM Staff, etc. from my enquiry. I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read my information request and I am happy to discuss any details further or to work with you on the wording of my request to make both parties objectives more achievable."

Our clarification request In order to identify and locate the information that you asked for we needed to understand and clarify which time period that you would like the information requested. You advised I would like to know the information from the last two academic years 18/19 and 19/20 Response Our response to your request is as follows: Non-DESC Tutors teaching in schools I have enclosed the information held that is being released to you. Laws and policies in relation to non-DESC Tutors teaching in schools While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. This is because there is no provision within the Act to regulate non-DESC music tutors. The Education Act 2001 sets in place legislation in regards to the governance of schools. Policies currently in place by schools where non-DESC tutors are teaching include: • Allegations against members of staff • Behaviour and discipline • Charging • Complaints • Confidentiality • Equal opportunities • E-safety • Health & Safety • Information sharing • Parents are contacted and make the decision for children to attend sessions and pay the tutor directly • Physical Intervention - managing challenging behaviour – Handling Pupils • Safe recruitment -Recruitment and Retention • Safeguarding • Use of Physical Contact • Visitors in school • Visitors information leaflet (which includes fire procedures, health and safety / medical procedures, behaviour policy) • Visitors signing in and out book • Whistle Blowing

Quality assurances in place in relation to non-DESC Tutors Safeguarding in schools is the responsibility of the Head Teacher and the School Staff. Quality assurances currently in place by schools where non-DESC tutors are teaching include: • DBS checked • Head Teacher and teacher observations of music lessons • Letters to parents • Measured by progress children make, pupil enjoyment, enthusiasm and motivation to learn an instrument • Music qualifications in place • Tutor is employed by another educational establishment • Qualified teacher, has been a DESC music peripatetic teacher • Registration forms • Safeguarding trained • School handbook including confidentiality and safeguarding guidance signed by tutor • Trinity Rock syllabus followed • Tutor generated reports for parents • Tutors Curriculum Vitae • Tutors terms and conditions Please quote the reference number 1464673 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im.

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Coordinator

Primary School No. of tutors No. of hours taught No. of pupils taught Notes Andreas 1 30 minutes per week 3 Taught at lunchtime Ballacottier 1 6 hours per week 12 Primary School No. of tutors No. of hours taught No. of pupils taught Notes Andreas 1 30 minutes per week 3 Taught at lunchtime Ballacottier 1 2.5 hours per week 5 Kewaigue 1 30 minutes per week 20 Taught as a group Marown 1 1 hour per week 10 In small groups and pupils taught over break and assembly time Onchan 1 4 hours per week 30 Pupils from years 4, 5 and 6 Which Primary Schools allow non-DESC music tutors to deliver lessons in their school? Freedom of Information request 1464673 2018/19 2019/20