Recommendation to merge primary schools rejected

The funding review of Manx schools was carried out over a nine-month period

A recommendation to close eight primary schools put forward in an independent funding review has been rejected by the Isle of Man's education department.

The report suggested combing some schools could save £3.6m a year, as maintaining smaller settings was "the greatest source of inefficient spending".

But the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) said it recognised the "value" the schools provided to their communities and would remain open.

The review also found staffing in the island's secondary schools could be reduced by up to 53 full-time posts to save £3.2m each year.

It found the overall teacher to pupil ratio was too high and said some could be redeployed to produce a "phased and gradual" reduction of teaching numbers over several years, rather than "wholesale cuts".

'Inefficient'

The review, which was commissioned by the Council of Ministers, was carried out by consultants Premier Advisory Group and accounting firm MLG Education Services between October 2022 and June 2023, and included school visits and headteacher focus groups.

The report said merging Anagh Coar, Braddan, Manor Park, Willaston, Ballaugh, Andreas and Bride, Foxdale and Dhoon schools, some of which have fewer than 100 pupils, with those nearby would be the "most efficient way to improve the quality of education" under the the current funding package.

The review also found recruitment processes were "slow and inefficient" and some administrative processes should be streamlined.

The report's authors said there was a lack of funding and expertise to teach children with Additional Educational Needs within mainstream schools and recommended a looking at the feasibility of opening a new special school to "pool limited resources and specialist capacity".

'Solid foundation'

Accepting that recommendation, the DESC said it would also conduct a study of secondary education provision.

The department said three posts to support schools directly in the areas of human resources and IT would also created, subject to securing the funding.

It said a further recommendation to change the school funding formula had already been addressed with the introduction of a new pupil-based funding system introduced in September 2023.

Education Minster Daphne Caine said the review had "provided a solid foundation to continue the development of a meaningful, long-term strategy for education".

"We will ensure that we work with education professionals to deliver the actions identified in the department’s response to the review", she added.

Members of Tynwald will be asked to receive the report and note the department's response in July's sitting of the parliament.