FOI/202400430724 · FOI · partially withheld
Education Scotland - National Summary Report: FOI release
Information requested
I've been looking at the latest national summary report on your website but can't seem to find the actual data behind it anywhere? I presume I'm just looking in the wrong place or missing something obvious but, for example, it gives general information about councils not reaching stretch aims, and I'd expect the data behind that to be made available as well? I appreciate that this summary has been put together based on local authority reports, but that data must have then been pulled together in order to produce this summary and make statements such as those to do with the fact that at least some, and maybe all, local authorities failed to meet their stretch aims.
Would you be able to make this available to me please?
Response
The following links provide information on stretch aims. The first of which provides stretch aims set by each local authority for 2022-23. The second provides data on the overall percentage of cohorts meeting the measures. Comparisons can be made between the two sets of data to determine where stretch aims have been met by each local authority.
Supporting documents - Scottish Attainment Challenge - local stretch aims: 2022 to 2023 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Supporting documents - Scottish Attainment Challenge - Local stretch Aims: 2023/24 to 2025/26 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Please see attached at Annex A the information collected from local authorities.
Local authority names have been redacted under S30(b)(ii) free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before Education Scotland reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on local authorities own statistics will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, particularly because this information was provided under the caveat that it would be anonymised if published.
This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing officials a private space within which to discuss ongoing work. This private thinking space is essential to enable effective work between Education Scotland and local authorities. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Education Scotland and local authorities, which would not be in the public interest.
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Detected exemption language
An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before Education Scotland reaches a settled public view. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.