Douglas School Intake and Out of Catchment Applications

Summary

A request was made for intake numbers, class sizes, and out-of-catchment application data for three primary schools in the Isle of Man for 2022-2024. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture directed the requester to public open data for school rolls but did not provide specific out-of-catchment statistics or capacity assessments in the response text.

Key Facts

• The request covered Kewaigue, Braddan, and Willaston Primary Schools.
• School roll data for September 2022, 2023, and 2024 is available on the Department's open data website.
• The response cites Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 regarding information already reasonably accessible.
• Specific numbers for out-of-catchment applications received and accepted were not provided in the text.
• Current assessed capacity figures for reception classes were not explicitly stated in the response.

Data Disclosed

• September 2022
• September 2023
• September 2024
• Section 20
• Freedom of Information Act 2015
• https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/government/open-data/education/

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information already reasonably accessible)

Original Request

This request relates to three of the Island's primary schools: 1. Kewaigue Primary School 2. Braddan Primary School 3. Willaston Primary School Could I please request the following in relation to these three schools: * School intake numbers and class sizes for reception classes in the three previous school years beginning Sept 2022, Sept 2023 and, Sept 2024. * Number of out-of-catchment area applications/requests that were received by each school for each three years listed above (if these are not held for every year please provide the numbers for any of the years that are available, even if a partial response) * Number of out-of-catchment area applications for each of the schools that were accepted for each of the three years listed above * What the current assessed capacity is for each of the three schools reception classes. I acknowledge the DHSC document titled 'Guidance Notes for Out of Catchment Area Requests', but this does not answer my request as it this specifically says that some schools have a reduced capacity number based on factors such as a physically smaller classroom, whereas others 'may rise to' 30. If this is the case for any of the three listed schools, please include them in this response. * In addition, if it is held, please provide expected reception year intake numbers for the Sept 2025 school year for each of the three schools listed above From a DHSC perspective, please detail how minimum/maximum intake figures are calculated when classes are combined: For example, when Reception Year and Year 1 are combined into a single class - what rationale would be applied if an out of catchment application resulted in a slightly larger than the optimal 27 per class (using the DHSC guidance notes explanation for the combined class, but the intake for a specific year was far less than the 27, given that in future years the classes may not be combined and therefore more space could be available. Thank you

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Policy, Strategy and Governance Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St Johns IM4 3AS

Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im

Our ref: 4804833 11 August 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 17 July 2025, which states:

"This request relates to three of the Island's primary schools:

1. Kewaigue Primary School

2. Braddan Primary School

3. Willaston Primary School

Could I please request the following in relation to these three schools:

• School intake numbers and class sizes for reception classes in the three previous school years beginning Sept 2022, Sept 2023 and, Sept 2024.

• Number of out-of-catchment area applications/requests that were received by each school for each three years listed above (if these are not held for every year please provide the numbers for any of the years that are available, even if a partial response)

• Number of out-of-catchment area applications for each of the schools that were accepted for each of the three years listed above

• What the current assessed capacity is for each of the three schools reception classes. I acknowledge the DESC document titled 'Guidance Notes for Out of Catchment Area Requests', but this does not answer my request as it this specifically says that some schools have a reduced capacity number based on factors such as a physically smaller classroom, whereas others 'may rise to' 30. If this is the case for any of the three listed schools, please include them in this response.

• In addition, if it is held, please provide expected reception year intake numbers for the Sept 2025 school year for each of the three schools listed above

From a DESC perspective, please detail how minimum/maximum intake figures are calculated when classes are combined: For example, when Reception Year and Year 1 are combined into a single class - what rationale would be applied if an out of catchment application resulted in a slightly larger than the optimal 27 per class (using the DESC guidance notes explanation for the combined class, but the intake for a specific year was far less than the 27, given that in future years the classes may not be combined and therefore more space could be available.

Thank you"

Our response to your request is as follows:

1. School intake numbers and class sizes for reception classes in the three previous school years beginning Sept 2022, Sept 2023 and, Sept 2024.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you.

By way of advice and assistance school roll data, including the reception class numbers for September 2022 and 2023 and 2024 are available to view on the Department’s website:

https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/government/open-data/education/

1. The number of out-of-catchment area applications/requests that were received by each school for each three years listed above & the number of out-of- catchment area applications for each of the schools that were accepted for each of the three years listed above

2. What the current assessed capacity is for each of the three schools reception classes. I acknowledge the DESC document titled 'Guidance Notes for Out of Catchment Area Requests', but this does not answer my request as it this specifically says that some schools have a reduced capacity number based on factors such as a physically smaller classroom, whereas others 'may rise to' 30. If this is the case for any of the three listed schools, please include them in this response.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested.

By way of advice and assistance the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture recently provided information in respect of class sizes in response to a Tynwald Written question, to view the response please follow the below link:

https://www.tynwald.org.im/spfile?file=/business/BusinessHansardIndex2126/W- 202501-1661.pdf

1. In addition, if it is held, please provide expected reception year intake numbers for the Sept 2025 school year for each of the three schools listed above

The expected reception class school intake for September 2025 is as follows:

Kewaigue Primary School – 17 Braddan Primary School – 21 Willaston Primary School - 21

Please quote the reference number 4804833 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.