Maximum class sizes

Summary

The requester asked for maximum reception class sizes for seven specific schools for the 2022-23 intake. The Department of Education responded by providing general policy guidelines on class capacity rather than specific figures for each named school.

Key Facts

• The Department regards a mainstream primary class size of 27 pupils as acceptable for planning and staff allocation.
• A school's indicative maximum pupil number is calculated by multiplying mainstream classrooms by 27.
• Individual class sizes may rise to or exceed 30 pupils when space and other factors allow.
• Classes over 30 pupils are only acceptable if the additional students are from within the school's catchment area.
• Smaller classrooms in certain buildings may require a maximum figure lower than 30.

Data Disclosed

• 27
• 30
• 22
• 2022-05-17
• 2022-06-15
• 2022-23
• 2450321

Original Request

Could you please provide the maximum class size for reception 2022-23 intake for the follow schools: - Bunschooil Rhumsaa - Dhoon - Andreas - Sulby - Ballaugh - Kirk Michael - Jurby

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Policy, Strategy and Governance Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road, St John’s Isle of Man IM4 3AS Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im Our ref: 2450321 14 June 2022

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on 17 May 2022 and which states:

"Could you please provide the maximum class size for reception 2022-23 intake for the follow schools: - Bunscoill Rhumsaa - Dhoon - Andreas - Sulby - Ballaugh - Kirk Michael - Jurby"

Our response to your request is as follows: As outlined within the Department’s Guidance notes on Out of Catchment Area requests: Each school has an assessed capacity based on the size and organisation of its accommodation. For planning purposes and the allocation of staff, the Department regards a mainstream primary class size of 27 pupils as acceptable. Consequently, a school’s indicative maximum number of pupils is calculated by multiplying the number of mainstream classrooms by 27, except in exceptional cases where there are some classrooms smaller than standard which could only physically accommodate, say, 22 pupils. The school’s indicative maximum figure would be adjusted accordingly. However, individual class sizes may rise to, or in excess of, 30 when space and other factors allow. Any class over this number will be considered acceptable to the Department only if the additional pupils over 30 have been admitted from within the school’s catchment area. Given that some classrooms in certain buildings are small, however, the Department would regard a lower figure than 30 in such cases. Please quote the reference number 2450321 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.