Public Health Advice to DESC/Secondary Schools - External Examinations

Summary

The requester sought Public Health advice and correspondence regarding COVID-19 safety measures for students sitting external examinations during a lockdown. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold the requested information.

Key Facts

• The request was made to the Cabinet Office on 2021-01-08.
• The response was issued on 2021-01-27 with the outcome 'Information not held'.
• The request covered advice on face coverings, social distancing, and exam room layouts for DESC and secondary schools.
• The requester specifically asked for confirmation of safety for pupils sitting BTEC exams during a 21-day circuit breaker lockdown.
• The Cabinet Office stated it does not possess the information requested.

Data Disclosed

• 2021-01-08
• 2021-01-27
• 1624297
• 21 day
• IM1 3PN

Original Request

I seek the advice and any information passed to the DESC and respective Island Secondary schools by Public Health in relation to Covid-19 issues which are relevant to pupils sitting examinations (e.g. requirement to wear face coverings, social distancing, exam room layout etc). I also seek copies of all requests for Covid-19 advice (and follow up correspondence) made to Public Health from the DESC and Secondary Schools as far as it applies to students sitting examinations. Furthermore, given that pupils are currently sitting external public examinations (BTECs) notwithstanding the fact that the Isle of Man is currently experiencing a 21 day 'circuit breaker' lockdown I would be grateful by way of help and advice if Public Health could confirm that it is safe for pupils to sit these examinations given the prevailing Covid-19 issues the Island is experiencing.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1624297 27 January 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 8 January 2021 and which states:

"I seek the advice and any information passed to the DESC and respective Island Secondary schools by Public Health in relation to Covid-19 issues which are relevant to pupils sitting examinations (e.g. requirement to wear face coverings, social distancing, exam room layout etc). I also seek copies of all requests for Covid-19 advice (and follow up correspondence) made to Public Health from the DESC and Secondary Schools as far as it applies to students sitting examinations. Furthermore, given that pupils are currently sitting external public examinations (BTECs) notwithstanding the fact that the Isle of Man is currently experiencing a 21 day 'circuit breaker' lockdown I would be grateful by way of help and advice if Public Health could confirm that it is safe for pupils to sit these examinations given the prevailing Covid-19 issues the Island is experiencing."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested.

Please quote the reference number 1624297 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