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
859 matching releases

Scottish Government grant received by Colombia 1400: FOI release

The grant received by Columba 1400 for Columba from the Scottish Government in 2017 totalling £500,000.00 for the establishment of Head Teachers' Leadership Academies by March 2018 was over the tendor thresholds, and if so, to provide all communications relating to this.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300339515
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Statistics on chartered teachers in Scotland: FOI release

The number of chartered teachers, How many of these are at the top of their pay grade scale.

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300346962
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Definition of 'substantially eliminate' used in reference to attempt to close the attainment gap in schools: FOI release

The Scottish Government has at various times referred to a goal to ‘substantially eliminate’ the attainment gap in schools. Please provide the definition of ‘substantially eliminate’ being used by government in reference to attempts to close the attainment gap, as I wish to know exactly what is meant by this term.

FOI unclear 50 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence
Published
2023-11-03
Reference
202200334586
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic

Money given to Columba 1400: FOI release

information on the total amount of money Sottish Government have given the organisation, Columba 1400 and detail what was for; where over tender thresholds please give details of teder documents associated) Years requested: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

FOI unclear 50 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence contracts
Published
2023-11-03
Reference
202200335388
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Free school meals diaries, minutes and third-party consultations: FOI release

1) A list of diary commitments undertaken by the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills relating to free school meals 2) Minutes of all those meetings 3) A list of third-party groups who have been consulted with on the policy of free school meals expansion, including priv...

FOI unclear 55 score 6 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.17(1) s.3
Published
2023-11-03
Reference
202300355468
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The New School Butterstone closure: FOI release

You asked for the amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on external legal advice in the independent review into the closure of The New School, Butterstone, and the legal firms involved.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
202300340536
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minimum class size in schools: FOI release

In your request, you asked for: Can a S3 class run with only 2 students? — If so, under what conditions? Can a S4 class run with only 3 students? — If so, under what conditions?

FOI released 70 score 13 working days correspondence
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
FOI/202300375611
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Positive destinations of children with visual impairment compared to general cohort: FOI release

Evidence of the statistical difference between positive destinations for the general school population and for those children with a visual impairment and to supply these figures for the most recent academic school year on record, as well as providing the URL with which to reference this data.

FOI released 70 score 3 working days correspondence
Published
2023-10-27
Reference
202300337448
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

COVID-19 face coverings in schools guidance: FOI release

1. Which man/woman or men/women wrote this guidance? (It is not signed by anyone as far as I can tell. 2. Which man/woman or men/women within the SG proclaim(s) to have the authority to impose masks (etc) on other people's children against their wishes (ie, without their freely-given consent)? (Or is the guidance all ...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202200326281
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Teacher statistics request: FOI release

I am writing to you to request the following information. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further clarification or additional information. Who decides how many probationer teachers are to be recruited per local authority? How many primary school supply teachers are registered in Scotland? How many sec...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-17
Reference
202200327440
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding funding for the recruitment of 3,500 additional teachers: FOI release

All correspondence between John Swinney and COSLA regarding funding for the recruitment of 3,500 additional teachers. All correspondence between Shirley-Anne Sommerville and COSLA regarding funding for the recruitment of 3,500 additional teachers.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300360936
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Probationary teachers allocated to each local authority in Scotland between 2013-2024: FOI release

Could you please tell me how many probationary teachers were allocated to each local authority in Scotland for the following school years: 2023/24 2022/23 2021/22 2020/21 2019/20 2018/19 2017/18 2016/17 2015/16 2014/15 2013/14

FOI released 100 score 13 working days correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300361715
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government information in relation to child safeguarding concerns: FOI release

all information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the child safeguarding concerns you raised in 2022 and 2023, including all documents held and communications (emails / letters) both internal and with other third parties such as Education Scotland; and all information held in relation to the review recentl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.25(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300353761
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number and location of education buildings in Scotland: FOI release

You asked for the number and location of education buildings (including early childcare, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities) in Scotland.

FOI released 95 score 7 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300365910
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Council of Deans for Education: FOI release

Information regarding Scottish Government funding of the Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE) and also the relationship between the two bodies in terms of governance and complaints.

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence contracts
Published
2023-10-02
Reference
FOI/202300372216
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Recruitment and Retention of Newly Qualified Teachers: FOI release

'Can you confirm the true figures of the numbers of Temporary Teachers included in the Summary for 2022. This should include all the 32 Local Councils.' 'Can you confirm if the Scottish Conservatives or other opposition parties have ever asked for this information of the Scottish Government ?' 'Can you confirm how Supp...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence contracts s.3
Published
2023-09-27
Reference
FOI/202300372311
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary Meetings with Pupil Support Assistants: FOI release

Between the 12th May 2021 to the 1th December 2022 how many meetings did the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills have Pupil Support Assistants? If meetings were held; 1. How long did the meetings last? 2. How long was the cabinet secretary in attendance for? 3. How many Pupil Support Assistants were in atten...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2023-09-15
Reference
202300337940
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Violence in schools discussions: FOI release

Confirmation on when the violence in schools was last discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers. You also asked for confirmation of every cabinet meeting where violence in schools was discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers since the May 2021.

FOI unclear 50 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2023-09-15
Reference
202300352410
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance: FOI release

In your request, you asked for: All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance regarding budget decisions for the teacher’s pay deal. All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills regarding budgetary decisions for the teacher’...

FOI clarification 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29 s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-12
Reference
202300363472
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Roman Catholic denominational schools in Scotland: FOI release

Number of overall teaching posts within Catholic denominational schools in Scotland ? Number of current teachers with Catholic Teaching Certificate for Primary schools in Scotland ? Numbers of non-denominational teachers currently working in Catholic primary schools in Scotland ? Confirmation that it is a legal require...

FOI unclear 55 score 3 working days correspondence s.21
Published
2023-09-12
Reference
FOI/202300372444
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Parentzone and the School Information Dashboards: FOI release

You asked for the following information: 1. When was this change made? 2. Who took the decision - specifically was it taken by officials at Education Scotland, a committee or specific leadership team? 3. What consultation was undertaken with relevant stakeholders, in particular to seek the opinions of parents, exter...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-11
Reference
202300366164
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Laptops/iPads handed out to school pupils in Scotland since the 2021: FOI release

1. How many laptops/iPads have been handed out to school pupils in Scotland since the 2021 promise by the SNP? Breakdown by region and year if possible. 2. How many pupils are there in Scotland in each region that are eligible for laptops? What percentage of pupils in each region have received their laptop? 3. How much...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-09-08
Reference
202300355678
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Educational support and programmes: FOI release

Whether a £200 per year payment, paid for up to 10 years eligible for 18-25 year-olds with care experience has been developed in Scotland this year as per the Programme for government? Have additional digital devices been delivered to school-aged learner in the 2023-24 school year? If so how many? What preparatory work...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17
Published
2023-08-22
Reference
FOI/202300367089
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector