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Education Minister confirms review into Onchan catchment areas

Tue, 28 Mar 2017

A review is underway into Onchan's school catchment areas after too many pupils registered for one of the area's two schools.

75 of the 104 children due to start school in Onchan in September have signed up to go to Onchan Primary School, leaving just 29 to attend Ashley Hill.

Education and Children Minister Graham Cregeen confirmed his Department is looking to amend the catchment areas to avoid a repeat situation in the future.

However, the changes won't be made before the start of the next academic year, leaving the DEC to ask parents to reconsider which school they will send their child to.

The Minister told this week's sitting of the House of Keys that the current numbers will result in Onchan being over-capacity, while Ashley Hill will have empty classrooms.

Mr Cregeen insists the Department is confident both schools are delivering a quality education.

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