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
338 matching releases

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

Bed bugs at schools - First Minister correspondence: FOI release

You asked 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 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2019-11-15
Reference
FOI/201900005399
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Health and social care, Public sector

Diocese approved roles in Roman Catholic Schools: FOI release

In 2016 it was reported that the EHRC had called for a review of the current situation whereby applicants to roles in Roman Catholic schools must be approved by the relevant diocese. (https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/equalities-experts-call-for-review-of-catholic-schools-right-to-vet-applicants-for-religious-suita...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.21 s.38(1) s.28 s.3 s.21(2A) 6 attachments
Published
2019-10-18
Reference
FOI/201900004423
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Dumfries Learning Town Project: FOI release

All correspondence between Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Government regarding phase two of the Dumfries Learning Town project and Learning Estate Investment Programme, including any bids or requests for funding.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-10-18
Reference
FOI/201900004491
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scotland's School Estate stats 2019 - publication correspondence: FOI release

You asked for "All materials (including communications, briefings and other documents) regarding publication of Scotland's School Estate stats 2019 (https://www.gov.scot/news/school-estatesstatistics/). This includes - but is not limited to - materials related to media and social media planning."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) 14 attachments
Published
2019-10-09
Reference
FOI/201900004040
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Counsellors in schools: FOI release

You asked for all information related to the Scottish government’s work with COSCA on the introduction of school counsellors.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2019-10-03
Reference
FOI/201900003882
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Notes and correspondence with North Lanarkshire Council - St Ambrose school campus, Coatbridge: FOI release

You asked for: • "Any briefing documents provided to Scottish Ministers on St Ambrose school campus in Coatbridge within the last year (prior to 20 June 2019)" (Fol/19/10503) • "Any correspondence (emails, letters, phone calls or otherwise) between Scottish Government ministers, senior civil servants or special advis...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-07-29
Reference
FOI/19/01503, FOI/19/01504
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Evaluation Attainment Scotland Fund Head Teacher Survey 2019: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, documents or otherwise) involving Scottish Government ministers and/or senior civil servants and/or special advisers regarding the following publication prior to its release date, including the original draft of the publi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-07-17
Reference
FOI/201900002236
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence to SG regarding subject choice in Scotland's schools: FOI release

You asked for “the content of all letters and emails sent by members of the public to the First Minister and / or the Education Secretary this year regarding subject choice in Scotland's schools.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-06-14
Reference
FOI/201900001715
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Teaching in a Diverse Scotland Report publication: FOI appeal

1) Copies of all correspondence and communication between the Scottish Government (including the Working Group and members of the Working Group) tasked with drafting this report) and the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, including minutes or notes of meetings/discussions, records of phone conversations, evidenc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.2 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-04-10
Reference
FOI/18/03373 Appeal
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland: FOI review

Any material held by the Scottish Government relating to the potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland (NB this would also include indirect impacts upon schools such as the possible effect on recruitment to Initial Teacher Education programmes).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.36(1) 10 attachments
Published
2019-03-01
Reference
FOI/18/03575 Review
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Education, Public sector

Potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland: FOI release

Any material held by the Scottish Government relating to the potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland (NB this would also include indirect impacts upon schools such as the possible effect on recruitment to Initial Teacher Education programmes).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-28
Reference
FOI/18/03575
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Education, Public sector

John Swinney or Nicola Sturgeon, P1 testing/assessment correspondence from parents: FOI release

You asked for the following information: for any letters or emails from parents to John Swinney or Nicola Sturgeon on P1 testing/assessment from 1 September 2018 to 23 January 2019.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-25
Reference
FOI/19/00269
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

John Swinney or Nicola Sturgeon, P1 testing/assessment correspondence from academics: FOI release

You asked for the following information: for any letters or emails from academics/professors/lecturers to John Swinney or Nicola Sturgeon on P1 testing/assessment from 1 September 2018 to 23 January 2019.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-25
Reference
FOI/19/00270
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Establishment, work and material from P1 practitioner forum: FOI release

You asked for : 1. All communications regarding the decision establish the P1 Practitioner Forum (including attachments) 2. All communications regarding the decision to appoint Prof Ellis as chair of this forum (including attachments) 3. Any other communication regarding the work of the forum (including attachments) ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2019-02-25
Reference
FOI/19/00268
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Resignations from Teacher Panel in 2018 and reasons for resigning: FOI release

You asked for: “Who resigned from the Teacher Panel in 2018? If names cannot be provided, please state the person’s organisation and/or role." “What were their reasons for resigning from the Teacher Panel? Please provide any letters or documents explaining their reasons for resignation.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-22
Reference
FOI/19/00260
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Details of meetings or correspondence concerning related news stories: FOI release

Details of any meetings or correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, documents or otherwise) involving any of: Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney, senior civil servants or special advisers on the topic of the following stories and the letter behind those stories: https://...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 95 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-19
Reference
FOI/19/00138
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication between John Swinney and representatives of Drumduan House: FOI release

Dates, locations and duration of any meetings between Ms Swinton and Mr Swinney since becoming Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in 2016; the details of what was discussed during the meeting(s); and copies of any communication between Mr Swinney and Ms Swinton and Mr Swinney and other representatives of Drumdu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-05
Reference
FOI/19/00088
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector