Scottish Government FOI Index

22,640releases indexed

40,478attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,386partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days

Clear

347 matching releases

Correspondence concerning the wearing face coverings in schools: FOI release

Any correspondence (including letters and emails) between local authorities and the Scottish Government on the subject of the wearing of facemasks (or face coverings) in schools. I would like this information from 01 August 2020 to 05 September 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-10-01
Reference: FOI/202000085898
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Exam results and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD): FOI release

All communications - external or internal - involving ministers, SPADs and Learning Directorate officials regarding the impact of the SQA results moderation process on different SIMD categories (or any other measure of socio-economic inequality such as free school meals) The time frame for this request is 19 March 2020...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2020-09-29
Reference: FOI/202000070655
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Education, Public sector

Communications regarding full time reopening of schools: FOI release

"Any communications from local authorities to the Scottish Government (including letters, emails, or otherwise) regarding guidance for the fulltime reopening of schools in August 2020. I would like this information from 24 June 2020 to 21 July 2020."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2020-09-29
Reference: FOI/202000065075
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Schools re-opening full time decision making correspondence: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government correspondence (including emails, letters, typed or hand-written notes, text messages and briefings) regarding the decision for schools to reopen full-time on 11 August, as announced by the Deputy First Minister on 23 June 2020. I would like this information from 01 June 2020 until 23 J...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-09-24
Reference: FOI/202000057060
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Exam grade methodology data communications: FOI release

Following several requests, the SQA has confirmed that it will not release full details of the methodology being used to award grades this year until the day on which results are issued. The same is true of the Equality Impact Assessment information. Please answer the following questions: 1) On which date, and by what ...

FOI clarification 80 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-09-15
Reference: FOI/202000068096
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Briefings from Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA): FOI release

All briefings received from the SQA by the Cabinet Secretary for Education or any other Scottish Minister. On 13 August 2020, you further clarified: I’m happy for you to narrow your search to correspondence and briefings between Scottish Government ministers and the SQA between 1 April 2020 and 5 August 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-09-09
Reference: FOI/202000074358
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Meetings with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA): FOI release

In your request, you asked: Details of any meetings (including typed or hand-written notes, any minutes or briefings produced for these meetings) between the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, and the SQA. I would like this information between 01 June 2020 and 30 June 2020, and for 30 July 2020...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-09-09
Reference: FOI/202000074442
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Reopening of schools: FOI release

“the content of all correspondence to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister sent by members of the public since June 1 regarding plans to reopen schools. Please include the content of all letters and emails”.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-08-12
Reference: FOI/202000049069
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Reopening of schools and blended learning arrangements: FOI release

“Letters or emails from members of the public sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, on the subject of the reopening of schools on 11 August 2020, and the proposed blended learning arrangements to be implemented following the reopening of schools.  Letters or emails from members of the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-08-11
Reference: FOI/202000048525
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Cancellation of the 2020 exam diet: FOI release

All correspondence or documentation (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and the SQA regarding the cancellation of the 2020 exam diet. I would like this i...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) s.28(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-08-10
Reference: FOI/202000034452
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Publications related to inclusive education: FOI release

All FoIs, complaints and letters, completed and outstanding, in the areas of inclusive education, LGBT, bullying and hate crime; querying content, substance and status of output sponsored and endorsed by the Scottish Government.

FOI clarification 80 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.25(1) s.12 s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2020-07-29
Reference: FOI/202000044381
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence regarding school reopening dates concerning 3 specific local authorities: FOI release

All correspondence or documentation (dated from 1st May 2020 till 1st June 2020) on the subject of the date that schools will reopen in Scotland between the Scottish Government and three local authorities (Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council and Western Isles Council).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2020-07-23
Reference: FOI/202000044331
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Publication of exam analysis - correspondence and drafts: FOI review

All communications between Ministers, Special Advisers and communication staff regarding the publication of exam analysis by the Scottish Government (see here: https://news.gov.scot/news/publication-of-exam-analysis ) Any drafts of pages 1-3 of the exam analysis (see here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/examresults-...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-06-29
Reference: FOI/202000024838
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Publication of exam analysis - correspondence and drafts: FOI release

I would like to request the following materials under Freedom of Information: All communications between Ministers, Special Advisers and communication staff regarding the publication of exam analysis by the Scottish Government (see here: https://news.gov.scot/news/publication-of-exam-analysis) Any drafts of pages 1-3 ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-03-26
Reference: FOI/202000017654
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Number of pupils and schools taking part in PISA 2018: FOI release

You asked for information on: how many pupils in Scotland took part in Pisa 2018? how many schools did those pupils come from? how many of those schools were (i) independent schools (ii) state schools could you please provide a list of the names of all the schools that took part in Pisa 2018 could you please provide t...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 17 working days correspondence s.38(1)

Published: 2020-03-06
Reference: FOI/202000015859
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Questions concerning LGBTI inclusive education: FOI release

1. An update on the parental withdrawal advice within the relationships, sexual health and parenthood education teaching guidance; and 2. Confirmation of who has been involved from which faith organisations in the delivery of the LGBT inclusive education recommendations. When and where they meet and how else did they ...

FOI already published 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2020-03-06
Reference: FOI/202000015416
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Equality and rights, Health and social care, +1 more … Public sector

Correspondence concerning the meeting about Newlands Junior College: FOI release

You asked for: All notes and minutes pertaining to a meeting between John Swinney and Jim McColl about Newlands Junior College, which took place on 16th January 2019.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence meetings s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-02-10
Reference: FOI/202000011519
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Education, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

Commissioning a full analysis of the 2019 SQA results proposal: FOI release

In your request you asked:- ‘In response to my request for a review of FOI 201900004088 the government released a number of documents including one previously withheld. This document - Enclosure 08 - has the following purpose: "To update DFM on a potential approach to commissioning a full analysis of the 2019 SQA resu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2019-12-30
Reference: FOI/201900005677
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Bed bugs at schools - First Minister correspondence: FOI review

For the contents of any emails or letters to Nicola Sturgeon (including emails to either the First Minister or SNP account) in 2019 on the topic of bed bugs at schools.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-12-16
Reference: FOI/201900006881
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Health and social care, Public sector

National qualifications results day meeting - briefings, minutes, correspondence: FOI release

In your request you asked for:- Please release the following material in relation to the meeting on 1 /8/19 referred to in the attached screenshot (which has come from a Scottish Government FOi response). Briefings provided to staff in advance of the meeting Minutes (if no minutes have been taken please make this cle...

FOI not held 70 score 8 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.25 s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-11-22
Reference: FOI/201900004090
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) attainment results meeting - briefings, minutes, correspondence: FOI release

In your request you asked for:- Please release the following material in relation to the meeting on 1/8/19 referred to in the attached screenshot (which has come from a Scottish Government FOI response). Briefings provided to staff in advance of the meeting Minutes (if no minutes have been taken please make this clear...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2019-11-22
Reference: FOI/201900004091
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

SQA and the First Minister: FOI release

“The contents of any emails or letters to Nicola Sturgeon (including emails to either the First Minister or SNP account) from parents or teachers in 2019 on the topic of: the 2019 SQA results and/or subject choice and/or the attainment gap and/or multi-level classes.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-11-22
Reference: FOI/201900005374
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

2019 Higher and National 5 results breakdown and correspondence: FOI release

In your request you asked for:- Any briefings, analysis, breakdowns etc regarding the 2019 Higher and National 5 results created by or provided to the Scottish Government All internal communications involving Learning Directorate staff, ministers or special advisers regarding the 2019 exam results Any communication be...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.12 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-11-21
Reference: FOI/201900003157
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

2019 Higher and National 5 results breakdown and correspondence: FOI review

I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for: Any briefings, analysis, breakdowns etc regarding the 2019 Higher and National 5 results created by or provided to the Scottish Government All internal communications involving Learning Dire...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.12(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) 14 attachments

Published: 2019-11-21
Reference: FOI/201900004088
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic

Supporting transgender pupils in schools - correspondence and guidance: FOI release

All information relating to Scottish Government’s guidance on supporting transgender pupils in schools and correspondence with LGBT Youth Scotland that relates to their transgender guidance for schools.

FOI already published 80 score 3 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2019-11-15
Reference: FOI/201900005131
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Equality and rights, Public sector