Willaston pupils with additional needs
| Authority | Department of Education, Sport and Culture |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2025-12-02 |
| Outcome | All information sent |
| Outcome date | 2025-12-18 |
| Case ID | 5133813 |
Summary
A Freedom of Information request was made to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture regarding pupil statistics at Willaston Primary School, specifically focusing on additional needs, transfers, and catchment area status. The authority disclosed all requested information, providing specific counts for pupils with additional needs, recent transfers, reasons for moving, and approved out-of-catchment requests.
Key Facts
- 60 pupils registered at Willaston Primary School have additional educational needs.
- 14 pupils moved from other primary schools during the 2024/25 and start of 2025/26 school years.
- Of the transferring pupils, 8 moved into the catchment area and 6 moved for other reasons.
- 5 out-of-catchment requests were approved for the 2024/25 academic year.
- 3 out-of-catchment requests were approved for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
Data Disclosed
- 60
- 14
- 8
- 6
- 5
- 3
- 2024/25
- 2025/26
- 2023/24
- 2 December 2025
- 18 December 2025
- 5133813
Original Request
1) How many pupils registered at, and attending, Willaston primary school have additional educational needs? 2) How many pupils have moved from other primary schools during the last two school years? 3) How many have moved because they a) moved into the catchment area or b) for other reasons? 4) How many registered pupils attend Willaston school who live outside the catchment area?
Data Tables (1)
Data Tables (reformatted)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many pupils registered at, and attending, Willaston primary school have additional educational needs? | 60 pupils |
| How many pupils have moved from other primary schools during the last two school years? | 14 pupils |
| How many have moved because they a) moved into the catchment area or b) for other reasons? | Moved into the catchment area = 8 Other reasons = 6 |
| How many out of catchment requests were approved for Willaston school for 2024/25 and the start of 2025/26? | 2024/25 = 5 2025/26 = 3 |
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: 5133813 18 December 2025
Dear ###
We write further to your request, received 2 December 2025, which states:
"1) How many pupils registered at, and attending, Willaston primary school have additional educational needs?
2) How many pupils have moved from other primary schools during the last two school years?
3) How many have moved because they a) moved into the catchment area or b) for other reasons?
4) How many registered pupils attend Willaston school who live outside the catchment area?"
Clarification was sought on the 1st December which states:
“In order to identify and locate the information that you have asked for we need some
further information from you. In particular, it would be helpful to know:
Question 2 - Can I confirm "last two schools years" is 2023/24 and 2024/25?
Also are you seeking information if held on how many pupils have moved to Willaston
Primary School? Or moved from all 32 primary schools on Island?
In relation to Question 4 - to obtain this information it would require the school to go into each individual pupil record to look up their address. This would be substantial compilation or collation of information that it holds and undertake research into, or
analysis or, information that it holds. Which Department of Education, Sport and Culture is not required to do under the Act. By way of advice and assistance, we could seek information on "how many out of catchment requests were approved for Willaston School in academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25?” Response to the clarification was received on the 1st December which states: “Q2 - 2024/25 and if possible so for the start of 2025/26. Question is in relation to how many pupils have moved to Willaston school.
Q3 relates to Willaston school only.
Q4 - how many out of catchment requests were approved for Willaston school for 2024/25 and the start of 2025/26?”
Our response to your request is as follows:
How many pupils registered at, and attending, Willaston primary school have additional educational needs?
60 pupils
How many pupils have moved from other primary schools during the last two school years?
14 pupils
How many have moved because they a) moved into the catchment area or b) for other reasons?
Moved into the catchment area = 8
Other reasons = 6
How many out of catchment requests were approved for Willaston school for 2024/25 and the start of 2025/26?
2024/25 = 5
2025/26 = 3
Please quote the reference number 5133813 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.
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: 5133813 18 December 2025
Dear ###
We write further to your request, received 2 December 2025, which states:
"1) How many pupils registered at, and attending, Willaston primary school have additional educational needs?
2) How many pupils have moved from other primary schools during the last two school years?
3) How many have moved because they a) moved into the catchment area or b) for other reasons?
4) How many registered pupils attend Willaston school who live outside the catchment area?"
Clarification was sought on the 1st December which states:
“In order to identify and locate the information that you have asked for we need some
further information from you. In particular, it would be helpful to know:
Question 2 - Can I confirm "last two schools years" is 2023/24 and 2024/25?
Also are you seeking information if held on how many pupils have moved to Willaston
Primary School? Or moved from all 32 primary schools on Island?
In relation to Question 4 - to obtain this information it would require the school to go into each individual pupil record to look up their address. This would be substantial compilation or collation of information that it holds and undertake research into, or
analysis or, information that it holds. Which Department of Education, Sport and Culture is not required to do under the Act. By way of advice and assistance, we could seek information on "how many out of catchment requests were approved for Willaston School in academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25?” Response to the clarification was received on the 1st December which states: “Q2 - 2024/25 and if possible so for the start of 2025/26. Question is in relation to how many pupils have moved to Willaston school.
Q3 relates to Willaston school only.
Q4 - how many out of catchment requests were approved for Willaston school for 2024/25 and the start of 2025/26?”
Our response to your request is as follows:
How many pupils registered at, and attending, Willaston primary school have additional educational needs?
60 pupils
How many pupils have moved from other primary schools during the last two school years?
14 pupils
How many have moved because they a) moved into the catchment area or b) for other reasons?
Moved into the catchment area = 8
Other reasons = 6
How many out of catchment requests were approved for Willaston school for 2024/25 and the start of 2025/26?
2024/25 = 5
2025/26 = 3
Please quote the reference number 5133813 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.