FOI/202400413949 Review of 202400408835 · FOI · partially withheld
Education Scotland survey relating to a National Digital Academy: FOI Review
Information requested
Original request (202400408835)
In February, Education Scotland published an article saying it was exploring what a National Digital Academy might look like. It was asking S3 to S6 young people to provide feedback via a survey. That survey was due to close at the end of February.
I would like any information held by Education Scotland:
the number of young people that responded to that survey. summarising the survey responses received from young people.
I would also like to request any other information held by Education Scotland on the topic of a National Digital Academy (please restrict this part of my request to 2024) – for example papers/reports/research/emails.
Response
Thank you for your review request dated 15 May 2024, and note that I have now completed your review to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for:
I would like any information held by Education Scotland:
on the number of young people that responded to that survey. summarising the survey responses received from young people.
I would also like to request any other information held by Education Scotland on the topic of a National Digital Academy (please restrict this part of my request to 2024) – for example papers/reports/research/emails.
I have carefully considered your request for a review and have concluded that a different decision should be substituted.
In your original FOI request you asked for “information summarising the survey responses received from young people.” The User Research Insights Report that summarises and interprets the survey responses was conducted by Sopra Steria on behalf of Education Scotland, and provides the information you have requested.
In considering your review request, I have re-examined the content of this report and also the exemptions which were applied as part of our original response. I have concluded that the report should be disclosed to you.
Please find the report attached at Annex A.
I also reconsidered the application of the public interest test, taking into account your views that “The only arguments presented in the response are for withholding the information and the public interest argument for disclosing is not made.” I have concluded that the original FOI response did indeed recognise that there was public interest in disclosing the information and that the findings of the report would inform public debate on this particular issue before balancing it against the argument for applying the exemption. However, it is my view that at the current time, the balance lies more in favour of releasing the report, hence my findings above that the original decision should be substituted and the document released.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
In considering your review request, I have re-examined the content of this report and also the exemptions which were applied as part of our original response. I also reconsidered the application of the public interest test, taking into account your views that “The only arguments presented in the response are for withholding the information and the public interest argument for disclosing is not made.” I have concluded that the original FOI response did indeed recognise that there was public interest in disclosing the information and that the findings of the report would inform public debate on this particular issue before balancing it against the argument for applying the exemption.