The Education (Amendment) Bill

Overview

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture recently carried out a public consultation to identify areas that could benefit from updates in the proposed Education (Amendment) Bill. The feedback received played a key role in shaping the policy principles, which have directly influenced the drafting of the bill.

This consultation invites the public to share their views on proposed changes to the Education Act covering the following areas:

• Promoting the education of children who are looked after
• Alternative provision of education
• Religious education
• Admissions and school capacity  
• Additional safeguarding measures
• Emergency school closures
• Children who are not in school
• Educational grants and funding
• Additional educational needs 

The Bill is intended to fulfil the below objectives:

1. Update elements of the Act to reflect changes in areas considered a priority
2. Strengthen the Department’s vires  

Why your views matter

Within ‘Our Island Plan’, which sets out the Island’s vision for the next 10 to 15 years, one of the Strategic Priorities is to provide ‘Outstanding lifelong learning and development opportunities for all’.  

To work towards this priority, the Department views it as essential that the opinions of those with a vested interest in education are considered. For this reason, the Department is seeking public views in developing the future of education on the Island.  

The draft Bill is available to view or download from the 'Related' section below and should be considered alongside the Education Act 2001 (the 'Act'), which is also linked on this consultation webpage. 

Reasonable adjustments and alternative formats

DESC is committed to equal opportunities and our aim is to make our documents easy to use and accessible to everybody.

We will take steps to accommodate any reasonable adjustments and provide such assistance as you may reasonably require to enable you to access or reply to this consultation.

If you would like to receive this document in another format or need assistance with accessing or replying to this consultation, please email DESCPolicyHub@gov.im or telephone +44 1624 685808. 

Responding to this consultation and questions

You can respond to this consultation online by clicking on the 'Online Survey' link below. Alternatively you can download a paper version of this consultation in the 'Related' section below and email it to DESCPolicyHub@gov.im or post it to:

DESC Policy Hub
Thie Slieau Whallian,
Foxdale Road,
St John’s,
Isle of Man,
IM4 3AS