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
56 matching releases

Covid-19 reopening of schools: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, typed or hand-written notes, phone calls or otherwise) concerning the reopening of schools. Any briefings or analysis issued to Ministers on the subject of (at least in part) the reopening of schools. This was to cover the period 25 February 2021 to 04...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-28
Reference
FOI/202100178134
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, 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

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

Details of independent review into The New School, Butterstone closure: FOI release

1. I wish to know how much was spent on the Independent Review Into the Closure of The New School, Butterstone. Please break this down into: Remuneration/salary/wages etc Expenses Legal fees Other costs 2. I wish to know how Mr James Martin CBE was recruited to perform this task and what procurement process was used....

FOI released 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending
Published
2021-12-22
Reference
FOI/202100253273
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development review: FOI release

All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education (including Officials of his office) with OECD relating to the OECD review of Scottish education. In particular, I would like to see all correspondence and information relating to the contract between the Scottish Government and OECD.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-02
Reference
FOI/202100175114
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, 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

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 Government correspondence concerning National 5 exams in 2021: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, typed or hand written notes, text messages or phone calls) regarding National 5 exams in 2021. I would like this information from 20 August 2020 to 08 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-12-08
Reference
FOI/202000099398
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 2020 awards and qualifications certification model: FOI release

All communications (including emails, letters, text messages, hand written or typed notes) between the Scottish Government and the SQA on the subject of the moderation process for the 2020 awards and qualifications certification model. I would like this information from 01 July 2020 to 04 August 2020. All communication...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000071396
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Support for teachers and the education system during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI release

1. Can you please confirm what, if any, steps have been taken to protect teachers from the COVID pandemic? 2. Further, as the pandemic is due to continue for some time to come what steps are planned to help improve the safety of our teachers? 3. What assurance is provided that any measures are being followed within s...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.2
Published
2020-10-23
Reference
FOI/202000091538
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Health and social care, +1 more … Public sector

School closures: FOI release

"1. What powers do the Scottish Government have to close down Schools anytime they want? 2. When did the Scottish Government require these powers to close down schools at any time? 3. When the Schools closed down this year because of the Corona Virus, who made the decision to close them down? full list of people involv...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.37 s.38 s.4 s.2 s.30 s.29(1) s.19
Published
2020-09-30
Reference
FOI/202000078735
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

New Transgender guidance: FOI release

The transgender guidance accumulated since the response to your last Freedom of Information request on 12 November 2019.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence s.27(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-07-09
Reference
FOI/202000042069
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Supporting transgender pupils in schools - correspondence and guidance: FOI release

All information relating to Scottish Government’s guidance on supporting transgender pupils in schools and correspondence with LGBT Youth Scotland that relates to their transgender guidance for schools.

FOI already published 80 score 3 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2019-11-15
Reference
FOI/201900005131
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Equality and rights, Public sector

Diocese approved roles in Roman Catholic Schools: FOI release

In 2016 it was reported that the EHRC had called for a review of the current situation whereby applicants to roles in Roman Catholic schools must be approved by the relevant diocese. (https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/equalities-experts-call-for-review-of-catholic-schools-right-to-vet-applicants-for-religious-suita...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.21 s.38(1) s.28 s.3 s.21(2A) 6 attachments
Published
2019-10-18
Reference
FOI/201900004423
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland: FOI review

Any material held by the Scottish Government relating to the potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland (NB this would also include indirect impacts upon schools such as the possible effect on recruitment to Initial Teacher Education programmes).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.36(1) 10 attachments
Published
2019-03-01
Reference
FOI/18/03575 Review
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Education, Public sector

Potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland: FOI release

Any material held by the Scottish Government relating to the potential impact of Brexit upon school-level education in Scotland (NB this would also include indirect impacts upon schools such as the possible effect on recruitment to Initial Teacher Education programmes).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-28
Reference
FOI/18/03575
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Education, Public sector