There are no plans to close any schools, Education Minister Graham Cregeen has promised.

He made the pledge in the House of Keys after Daphne Caine (Garff) said the decline in birth rates – and possible reviews of catchment areas – was raising fears some smaller schools may close.

‘I can confirm to the member that the department has no plans to close schools,’ the minister said.

Earlier, he revealed that a review of catchment areas was taking place in Onchan, following concern at vastly different entry numbers for Ashley Hill and Onchan schools.

‘It has been proposed to change the catchment areas for the two Onchan schools, as Onchan School will be over capacity in September 2017 and Ashley Hill Primary School has empty classrooms. There are currently 75 reception children within the catchment area of Onchan School and only 29 in the catchment area for Ashley Hill School.’

The change would come into effect by September, which would redress the balance in time for the 2018 reception classes.

Meanwhile, the department has written to all parents for the 2017 intake, asking if any of them would be prepared to send their children to Ashley Hill, in a bid to correct the imbalance this year.

Mrs Caine, who is also the official Children’s Champion, asked whether open catchment for Onchan – and other areas where primary schools were under capacity – was an option.

Mr Cregeen warned that could cause ‘a bigger issue, because we could end up with a lot more parents wanting their children to go to another school’.