Education officials deny school merger

Two primaries to be governed by single body

Education officials are denying a suggestion two Island primary schools are being amalgamated.

From September, Laxey and Dhoon schools will have one head teacher between them and a single, over-arching governing body.

Director of Education Geoff Moorcroft has admitted the decision will save government money.

However, he says that isn’t the reason behind the move:

Dhoon School has 83 pupils on the register and Laxey 205.

Minister for Education and Children, Graham Cregeen, said: ‘Dhoon and Laxey schools have long and successful traditions, impressive results and serve their communities well and this won’t change.

‘The schools will retain their buildings, names, uniforms, policies and ethos and pupils and parents will experience little difference in that respect.’

He added: ‘It will, in time, lead to a broader curriculum, increased opportunities for innovation, better benchmarking of results across a wider number of pupils, the sharing of resources and training and even stronger governance.

’While at present the schools have catchment areas, there may, in future, be flexibility over which school children attend.

’The federation will happen on the basis of a strong educational argument for a small and a medium-sized school working more closely together.’

The department has no plans to federate other schools but may consider it, if appropriate, in other areas of the Island, Mr Cregeen said.