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
340 matching releases

Independent education reform review panel payments: FOI release

The salaries/fees/expenses paid to Ken Muir and the panel members that came from tax payer’s money for the independent education reform review.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2022-05-17
Reference
FOI/202200286714
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector

Communications regarding lead teachers: FOI release

Copies of all communication involving the Scottish Government (ministers, advisers, learning directorate staff) regarding lead teachers (NB this includes attachments such as briefings, reports etc).

FOI already published 80 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-20
Reference
FOI/202200269303
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding reduction of teacher class contact time: FOI release

Any communication between ministers / Spads / officials regarding the reduction of teachers' class contact time. This includes (but is not necessarily limited to) documents/attachments containing any briefings, analysis, modelling etc.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-11
Reference
FOI/202200275182
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding class contact hours for Scottish teachers: FOI release

All correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, WhatsApp, Signal or SMS messages, documents or otherwise) involving the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants) regarding proposals to reduce the number of class contact hours for Scottish teachers from the maximu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-07
Reference
FOI/202200286686
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector, Work and skills

Communications regarding teachers' class contact time: FOI release

Any communication between the Scottish Government (ministers, spads, learning directorate) and COSLA regarding the reduction of teachers' class contact time. This should include records of meetings, and attachments to emails.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-03
Reference
FOI/202200275188
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication relating to 2021 SQA awards: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, text or Whatsapp messages) on the subject of the 2021 SQA Awards. Any communications between the Scottish Government and the SQA on the subject of the 2021 SQA Awards. In both cases I would like this information between 28 June 2021 and 12 Jul...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 127 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202100226849
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication with SQA from May 2021: FOI release

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Qualifications Authority from 17 May to 23 June 2021, broken down by 6 separate timeframes (Micase refs: 239803, 239817, 239833, 239841, 239847, 239858). Clarification was provided on 27 September 2021, that the request related to the 'future of the SQA in...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 86 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-21
Reference
FOI/202100239833
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication with Scottish Qualification Authority: FOI release

Internal Scottish Government correspondence (including between ministers and civil servants) from 17 May to 27 June 2021 regarding the Scottish Qualifications Authority, broken down by 6 separate timeframes (Micase refs: 239784, 239798, 239823, 239840, 239842 & 239863). Clarification was provided on 27 September 2021, ...

FOI already published 80 score 86 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29 s.30 s.36 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2022-02-21
Reference
FOI/202100239842
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Children's health and wellbeing census 21/22: FOI release

A series of questions, and for information, with regards to the Health and Wellbeing Census. These are dealt with below. What age children are targeted by the census? You also asked for: 1) A full copy of the census. 2) A copy of the ministerial sign-off of the census. 3) A copy of senior civil service sign-off of the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.4 s.5 s.6 s.7 s.8 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100260600
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Education Scotland and SQA reform meeting: FOI release

Please send me all correspondence (including briefings, emails, letters, records of phonecalls), held regarding the meeting of the 24th of June referred to in answer to the response by the Scottish Government to the Question S6W-01187.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 96 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100229561
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Health and Wellbeing Census for children: FOI release

1. Please provide a list of all the people who were responsible for choosing the questions to ask in the Heath & Well-being Census for children. Specifically the questions in the image you provided. 2. Provide a copy of the minutes of all the meetings where the above questions were discussed, including a list of all th...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 10 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.3 s.5
Published
2022-02-02
Reference
FOI/202100260987
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information regarding Health and Wellbeing census: FOI release

1. Who had the final say to sign off on this? 2. Who came up with these questions? can we have the names please so we can take this to the appropriate authorities if needed? We're not looking for group names these people like to hide behind, we want the actual person or people’s names who constructed this "census". 3. ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 11 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38(1)
Published
2022-02-02
Reference
FOI/202100268089
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the alternative certification model: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100240609 All correspondence (written letters, emails, text, whatsapp messages, meeting notes) between MSPs and the Scottish Government relating to the alternative certification model. Your review request, reference 202100252557 Please can you provide an update as this response is now late.

FOI already published 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.21(4) s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-24
Reference
FOI/202100252557 review of 202100240609
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence between SQA and Scottish Government regarding appeals process: FOI Release

All communication between the SQA and Scottish Government (ministers, special advisers, learning directorate officials) regarding / referring to the appeals system for 2021 results, the details of which have now been published on the SQA website: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html The time frame for this request is...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 141 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-24
Reference
FOI/202100208810
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding formulation of home education policy: FOI release

Agendas, minutes and emails relating to meetings and discussions with the Department for Education in London about the formulation of home education law, policy and guidance in Scotland and England; requesting the information dated from 1st September 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.28(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-19
Reference
FOI/202100263296
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information pertaining to the STEP program: FOI release

Please provide the following information: a) A summary of dedicated expenditure on (aka, expenditure which was specifically intended or earmarked for) the STEP physical literacy program, marketed by STEP2Progress limited; b) Minutes of meetings with and records of correspondence with STEP2Progress limited; c) Studies,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 43 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-12-16
Reference
FOI/202100252139
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding changes to appeals process: FOI Review

1. Please provide the minutes of any meeting of Scottish Government Ministers and employees of the SQA, from 2009 to the present, during which the meeting references or in any way discusses changes to the appeals process of the SQA. 2. To provide information relating to any consultation process the Scottish Government ...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.21(4) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-12-09
Reference
FOI/202100247961 Review of 202100210124
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information relating to Alternative Certification Model (ACM): FOI release

1. How many teachers were (a) due to receive the £400 payment to support the delivery of the Alternative Certification Model (b) have still to receive the payment to date, and (c) received less than £400. 2. Please provide a copy of all the feedback received by the Scottish Government from teachers regarding the policy...

FOI not held 70 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence briefings contracts spending s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-09
Reference
FOI/202100229612
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Meetings with Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) between May and June 2021: FOI release

All meeting notes (agendas, notes, minutes) for meetings between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, officials and special advisors), with the Scottish Qualifications Authority between the 24th May 2021 - 3rd June 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 90 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-04
Reference
FOI/202100209239
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Information pertaining to Scottish National Standardised Assessments: FOI release

All communication (internal and external) involving Shirley-Anne Somerville (or her staff) regarding the Scottish National Standardised Assessments. This includes any attachments in the case of emails, as well as non-email communication such as messaging services. Any briefings, analysis or other official documents he...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-03
Reference
FOI/202100236994
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) appeal rates 2021: FOI release

Any communication, internal or external, discussing / responding to concerns about the quantity of appeals that the SQA may receive in relation to any 2021 appeals processes. The time frame for this request is 1/2/2021 - 2/6/2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-12
Reference
FOI/202100208815
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Deputy First Minister communication regarding 2021 exam diet: FOI release

1. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos, or other correspondence between John Swinney, his ministerial office and/or special advisers and the SQA on the topic of the 2021 exams diet and alternative certification model between November 1, 2020 to the date of this request. 2. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos,...

FOI cost limit 70 score 87 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-11
Reference
FOI/202100203007
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Minutes between First Minister and education officials: FOI release

Last week it was revealed that the First Minister has met with education officials to discuss the SQA’s new alternative accreditation model, as reported in TES (see here: https://www.tes.com/news/SQA-sturgeon-we-wont-have-another-qualifications-fiasco) I would like (a) copy of the minutes taken at the meetings between ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 67 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2021-09-21
Reference
FOI/202100206212
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication relating to SQA awards 2021: FOI release

Any communications (including letters and emails) from members of the public identifying as teachers to the Scottish Government, on the subject on SQA awards in 2021. I would like this information from 10 June 2021 to 9 July 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-09-14
Reference
FOI/202100225914
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector