Scientific Evidence

Summary

A request was made for scientific evidence regarding active shooter drills, the date such evidence was obtained, and records of parental consent for 2025. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture responded that the information is not held.

Key Facts

• The request concerned active school shooter drills reported to have taken place in 2025.
• The authority stated it does not hold the requested scientific evidence on drill impact.
• The authority stated it does not hold records of the number of parents who affirmatively consented.
• The response advised that emergency lockdown drills are enacted to improve protective security awareness.
• The request was closed on 17 September 2025.

Data Disclosed

• 2025
• 10 September 2025
• 17 September 2025
• 4929169
• 2 pages
• 1 document

Original Request

Parents have reported that school children took part in active school shooter drills in 2025. I request: 1) a copy of the scientific evidence showing the impact of such drills on fatalities which was considered prior to the implementation of such drills; 2) the date that such evidence was obtained; 3) records of the number of parents who affirmatively consented to their children being involved in such activities in 2025.

Data Tables (1)

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: 4929169 17th September 2025

Dear ###,

We write further to your request received 10 September 2025, which states:

"Parents have reported that school children took part in active school shooter drills in 2025.

I request:
1) a copy of the scientific evidence showing the impact of such drills on fatalities which was considered prior to the implementation of such drills;
2) the date that such evidence was obtained;
3) records of the number of parents who affirmatively consented to their children being involved in such activities in 2025."

Our response to your request is as follows:

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 the information that you have requested.

By way of advice and assistance practice emergency lockdown drills are enacted to improve protective security awareness and preparedness that will help keep students, staff and visitors safe.

Please quote the reference number 4929169 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.