Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,792releases indexed
39,278attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,073partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,052 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

Timeline

2026-05 339 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
157 matching releases

The decision to close Abernyte Primary School: FOI release

The dates, times and attendees of all meetings, including virtual meetings, conference calls and video conferences, attended by Mr Swinney or Mr Richard Lochhead at which Abernyte Primary School was discussed. Notes, minutes, summaries or records of any meeting attended Mr Swinney or Mr Richard Lochhead in regard to Ab...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-08
Reference
FOI/202200279750
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal communications regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any internal communication between the Scottish government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, special advisers, learning direct...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 234 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231959
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release details of any meetings (dates, attendees, whether it was in person/online/telephone) and associated documents (emails, minutes, briefing documents,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 239 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231963
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Documentation regarding 2022 National Qualifications: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any documents (such as advice, analysis, briefings, options documents etc) outlining / analysing / considering etc. the options available for nation...

FOI already published 80 score 240 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231966
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding exam support materials: FOI release

All communication between the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, special advisers, communications/PR staff and staff from the learning directorate) and the SQA regarding or relating to the exam support materials. The time frame for this request is 1 Jan 2022 to present.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200290542
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Free school meal allocations: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence relating to the data used to estimate free school meal allocations and allocate PEF spending. For clarity, I’m looking for all correspondence – email and letter – between ministers, officials and third parties that discusses the quality of the data, any concerns about its usefulness and any...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-22
Reference
FOI/202200304200
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal communications regarding SQA appeals: FOI release

All internal communications involving ministers, special advisers and/or learning directorate officials regarding or referring to the appeals system for 2021 SQA results. The time frame for this request is 1/3/2021 - 2/6/2021

FOI partially withheld 90 score 191 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202100208812
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Children's health and wellbeing census 21/22: FOI Review

What age children are targeted by the census? A full copy of the census. A copy of the ministerial sign-off of the census. A copy of senior civil service sign-off of the census. A copy of the data privacy risk assessment for the census. All communications with the FM and DFM on the subject of the census. The precise pu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.38(1) s.38 s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.33(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-06-29
Reference
FOI/202200270559 Review of 202100260600
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Communications regarding lead teachers: FOI release

Copies of all communication involving the Scottish Government (ministers, advisers, learning directorate staff) regarding lead teachers (NB this includes attachments such as briefings, reports etc).

FOI already published 80 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-20
Reference
FOI/202200269303
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding reduction of teacher class contact time: FOI release

Any communication between ministers / Spads / officials regarding the reduction of teachers' class contact time. This includes (but is not necessarily limited to) documents/attachments containing any briefings, analysis, modelling etc.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-11
Reference
FOI/202200275182
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding class contact hours for Scottish teachers: FOI release

All correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, WhatsApp, Signal or SMS messages, documents or otherwise) involving the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants) regarding proposals to reduce the number of class contact hours for Scottish teachers from the maximu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-07
Reference
FOI/202200286686
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector, Work and skills

Communications regarding teachers' class contact time: FOI release

Any communication between the Scottish Government (ministers, spads, learning directorate) and COSLA regarding the reduction of teachers' class contact time. This should include records of meetings, and attachments to emails.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-03
Reference
FOI/202200275188
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Covid-19 reopening of schools: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, typed or hand-written notes, phone calls or otherwise) concerning the reopening of schools. Any briefings or analysis issued to Ministers on the subject of (at least in part) the reopening of schools. This was to cover the period 25 February 2021 to 04...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-28
Reference
FOI/202100178134
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Communication relating to education recovery plan: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications on the subject of the Education Recovery plan which was published on 05 October 2021 (link). I would like this information between 01 September 2021 and 01 October 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 77 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-28
Reference
FOI/202100245473
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication with SQA from May 2021: FOI release

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Qualifications Authority from 17 May to 23 June 2021, broken down by 6 separate timeframes (Micase refs: 239803, 239817, 239833, 239841, 239847, 239858). Clarification was provided on 27 September 2021, that the request related to the 'future of the SQA in...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 86 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-21
Reference
FOI/202100239833
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication with Scottish Qualification Authority: FOI release

Internal Scottish Government correspondence (including between ministers and civil servants) from 17 May to 27 June 2021 regarding the Scottish Qualifications Authority, broken down by 6 separate timeframes (Micase refs: 239784, 239798, 239823, 239840, 239842 & 239863). Clarification was provided on 27 September 2021, ...

FOI already published 80 score 86 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29 s.30 s.36 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2022-02-21
Reference
FOI/202100239842
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Children's health and wellbeing census 21/22: FOI release

A series of questions, and for information, with regards to the Health and Wellbeing Census. These are dealt with below. What age children are targeted by the census? You also asked for: 1) A full copy of the census. 2) A copy of the ministerial sign-off of the census. 3) A copy of senior civil service sign-off of the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.4 s.5 s.6 s.7 s.8 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100260600
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Education Scotland and SQA reform meeting: FOI release

Please send me all correspondence (including briefings, emails, letters, records of phonecalls), held regarding the meeting of the 24th of June referred to in answer to the response by the Scottish Government to the Question S6W-01187.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 96 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100229561
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence between SQA and Scottish Government regarding appeals process: FOI Release

All communication between the SQA and Scottish Government (ministers, special advisers, learning directorate officials) regarding / referring to the appeals system for 2021 results, the details of which have now been published on the SQA website: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html The time frame for this request is...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 141 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-24
Reference
FOI/202100208810
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information pertaining to the STEP program: FOI release

Please provide the following information: a) A summary of dedicated expenditure on (aka, expenditure which was specifically intended or earmarked for) the STEP physical literacy program, marketed by STEP2Progress limited; b) Minutes of meetings with and records of correspondence with STEP2Progress limited; c) Studies,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 43 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-12-16
Reference
FOI/202100252139
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) appeal rates 2021: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100243380 Any communication, internal or external, discussing / responding to concerns about the quantity of appeals that the SQA may receive in relation to any 2021 appeals processes. The time frame for this request is 1/2/2021 - 2/6/2021. Your review request, reference 202100243380 Firstly,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-15
Reference
FOI/202100243380 review of 202100208815
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Deputy First Minister communication regarding 2021 exam diet: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100203007 1. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos, or other correspondence between John Swinney, his ministerial office and/or special advisers and the SQA on the topic of the 2021 exams diet and alternative certification model between November 1, 2020 to the date of this request. 2. Any ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.12 4 attachments
Published
2021-11-09
Reference
FOI/202100241427 review of 202100203007
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information pertaining to Scottish National Standardised Assessments: FOI release

All communication (internal and external) involving Shirley-Anne Somerville (or her staff) regarding the Scottish National Standardised Assessments. This includes any attachments in the case of emails, as well as non-email communication such as messaging services. Any briefings, analysis or other official documents he...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-03
Reference
FOI/202100236994
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) appeal rates 2021: FOI release

Any communication, internal or external, discussing / responding to concerns about the quantity of appeals that the SQA may receive in relation to any 2021 appeals processes. The time frame for this request is 1/2/2021 - 2/6/2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-12
Reference
FOI/202100208815
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Deputy First Minister communication regarding 2021 exam diet: FOI release

1. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos, or other correspondence between John Swinney, his ministerial office and/or special advisers and the SQA on the topic of the 2021 exams diet and alternative certification model between November 1, 2020 to the date of this request. 2. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos,...

FOI cost limit 70 score 87 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-11
Reference
FOI/202100203007
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector