Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
861 matching releases

Higher exam entries and passes in local council area: FOI release

Data on entries and passes in Higher Maths, Higher English and Higher Sciences in Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Angus and Fife between 2015 and 2020.

FOI unclear 75 score 13 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-24
Reference
FOI/202100190967
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Higher History, Modern Studies and Geography entries and passes: FOI release

Data on entries and passes in Higher History, Higher Modern Studies and Higher Geography in Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Angus and Fife between 2015 and 2020.

FOI unclear 75 score 13 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-24
Reference
FOI/202100191674
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Deputy First Minister’s private office running cost: FOI release

How much taxpayers are paying towards secretarial /admin services for John Swinney as Cabinet Secretary for Education.

FOI unclear 50 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-05-21
Reference
FOI/202100197327
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Introduction of a national tutoring scheme internal communication: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages) on the subject of the introduction of a national tutoring scheme for school pupils. I would like this information from 15 February 2021 to 29 March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-20
Reference
FOI/202100187582
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

COVID-19 Documentation regarding enhanced masks in schools: FOI release

“I would like the government to release material it holds related to consideration of the use of 'enhanced' masks (ie those that go beyond basic cloth or blue surgical masks, such as but not limited to N95 rated masks). The material in question would include: Any briefings / analysis / options (either whole papers or ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-18
Reference
FOI/202100167659
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Deputy First Minister communication with Castlebay Community Council: FOI release

Please provide me with correspondence in the last 3 months of 2020 between Mr John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister / Education and Skills Dept and Castlebay Community Council, Isle of Barra?

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-12
Reference
FOI/202100175675
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

COVID-19 return to school: FOI review

Further to my acknowledgement letter of 16 March, I have now completed my review of our failure to respond to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). You said: “The government is already in breach of the law and is now asking me to allow it to go to 150% of the stated time limit , wit...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.21(4) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-05-12
Reference
FOI/202100176220 review of 202100149409
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to counsellors within schools: FOI Release

1. A copy of all the returns received from local authorities, all correspondence surrounding this between the Scottish Government and local authorities, and all internal correspondence and analysis relating to these returns. 2. Confirmation of whether the national commitment to 350 counsellors for schools by September ...

FOI unclear 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.2 s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-05-11
Reference
FOI/202100170681
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) independent review: FOI release

Details of all meetings, virtual or in person, held from the point at which Scottish Government officials or representatives received a draft form of the OECD Independent Review of Curriculum for Excellence in which this report was discussed. Please include details of the meeting scheduled for Monday 15 February, as re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-07
Reference
FOI/202100166439
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications 2021: FOI release

All correspondence between John Swinney, Special Advisers or government officials and the SQA regarding plans / options for the awarding of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications in 2021. The time frame for this request is Jan 1 2021 - Jan 31 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-06
Reference
FOI/202100162263
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

COVID-19 Communications regarding enhanced masks in schools: FOI release

“I would like the government to release material it holds related to consideration of the use of 'enhanced' masks (ie those that go beyond basic cloth or blue surgical masks, such as but not limited to N95 rated masks). Communications between the Scottish government and external organisations, groups or individuals re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-05-06
Reference
FOI/202100167648
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Documents pertaining to teachers one off payment of £400: FOI release

All documentation regarding the decision to offer a single payment to teachersand lecturers rather than paying an amount determined by student numbers. All documentation regarding the decision to offer £400, including how this specific amount was calculated.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-27
Reference
FOI/202100163050
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal communications relating to expansion of free school meals: FOI review

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, text or WhatsApp messages, typed or handwritten notes) on the subject of the policy of the expansion of free school meal provision for primary school pupils from 2022. I would like this information from 20 October 2020 to 27 November 2020. I understand ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence briefings whatsapp s.29(1)A s.29(1) s.36(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-15
Reference
FOI/202100135539 review of 202000118815
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Communications concerning exams for Higher and Advanced Higher SQA National Qualifications: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, letters, text or WhatsApp messages, phone calls) concerning exams for Higher and Advanced Higher SQA National Qualifications in the academic year 2020-21. I would like this information from 17 November 2020 to 09 December 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-04-15
Reference
FOI/202000121887
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Higher and National 5 results for previous years: FOI release

Information on Higher and National 5 grade distributions over the last 5 years, broken down by SIMD.

FOI unclear 75 score 9 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-13
Reference
FOI/202100164857
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication relating to teachers availability of work: FOI release

Any communications (including letters and emails) from members of the public identifying either as teachers or supply teachers, to the Scottish Government, that are on the topic of availability of work. I would like this information from 4 January 2021 to 15 February 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-13
Reference
FOI/202100160966
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding Chromebook purchases for local authorities: FOI release

The Scottish Government has purchased Chromebooks which have then been offered to local authorities for distribution to pupils in need. I would like to know how the government arrived at the decision to purchase Chromebooks rather than an alternative. I would therefore like the government to provide all materials regar...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-08
Reference
FOI/202100136555
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) review submissions: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters and emails) concerning stakeholder submissions to the OECD Review of the Curriculum for Excellence. I would like this information from 13 December 2020 to 10 January 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-07
Reference
FOI/202100137221
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding industrial action in schools: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, phone calls, typed or hand-written notes, text messages or otherwise) on the subject of industrial action in schools. I would like this information from 15 November 2020 to 25 November 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-07
Reference
FOI/202000115776
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Summary Statistics for schools in Scotland publication: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails and phone calls) on the subject of the Scottish Government publication 'Summary statistics for schools in Scotland', as published on 15 December 2020. I would like this information between 01 December 2020 and 15 December 2020.

FOI unclear 75 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-30
Reference
FOI/202000126281
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) revision of appeal process: FOI release

Ministerial direction SQA refer to and any information, paperwork, correspondence etc between SG and SQA and also more generally which explains the thinking behind the revision of the appeals process (please treat as an FOI). I am not sure whether you can also explain where responsibility lies for the design of the app...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-26
Reference
FOI/202000108636
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Qualification Authority exam 2020-21 communication from teachers: FOI release

Communications (including letters and emails) to the Scottish Government from members of the public identifying as teachers or former teachers, that are on the subject of SQA qualifications in 2020/21. I would like this information from 04 January 2021 to 10 February 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-25
Reference
FOI/202100154002
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector