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

Communication relating to funding for outdoor education centres: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, text or Whatsapp messages or phone calls) between civil servants and Ministers on the subject of funding for outdoor education centres. I would like this information from 20 August 2020 to 23 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38 s.33 s.29 s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202000113897
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector

Information relating to Higher and Advance Higher exams 2021: FOI release

The Scottish Government has previously announced that National 5 exam diets would be cancelled but that Higher and Advanced Higher diets would go ahead. Education secretary John Swinney has since stated that alternate approaches have been developed and that a decision could be made as late as February to switch to thes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000114519
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information relating to Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018: FOI release

I would like to request further information on the following. 1. Has data from the PISA 2018 study for Scotland been linked to administrative records of children, including their National 4 and National 5 examinations. 2. Could you please provide me with the National 4 and National 5 grades achieved by the PISA 2018 sa...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.3 s.12(1) s.4 s.5A s.6
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100141438
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Investment in technology to assist with home schooling: FOI release

Please confirm details of all investment in tablet computers, laptops, WiFi connections and other technology to assist with home learning for school pupils. Please confirm total spending on this and the number of families who have been supported. These figures should cover the 2020/21 financial year to date.

FOI unclear 75 score 14 working days correspondence spending 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100140774
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Correspondence from Fiona Robertson prior to SQA report: FOI release

In a previous request (reference 202000092256) the response included reference to how the draft report I asked about was shared with Fiona Robertson for fact checking prior to its official publication. Could I please ask for a copy of her response to the report and any subsequent related correspondence between her and...

FOI released 95 score 19 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202000105143
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Laptops and routers distributed to pupils for online learning: FOI release

How many laptops, funded by the Scottish Government, have been distributed to pupils in Scotland (in a recent statement John Swinney said that "more than 50,000" have been distributed)? How many internet routers (or other methods of provided internet access), funded by the Scottish Government, have been distributed to...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-10
Reference
FOI/202100136544
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

School leaver average tariff score: FOI release

You asked for: Schools in Scottish Borders – average leaver tariff score Schools is Scottish Borders – dyslexic children leavers average tariff score Schools in Scotland – average leaver tariff score Schools is Scotland – dyslexic children leavers average tariff score Peebles High School – average leaver tariff score P...

FOI released 95 score 6 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100144323
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

The number of teachers by gender and ethnicities: FOI release

How many black female qualified teachers you have in Scotland from the year 2015-2020? How many black male teachers qualified teachers you have in Scotland from the year 2015-2020?

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100133377
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Equality and rights, Public sector

Teaching posts funded by Pupil Equity Funding (PEF): FOI release

You asked for how many teaching posts have been funded by PEF in each of the academic years since the funding model was initiated. Please provide a breakdown of these data showing 1. Permanent posts vs temporary posts (percentages) 2. Full-time posts vs part-time posts (percentages) 3. Standard teaching posts vs promot...

FOI unclear 75 score 16 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100136537
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector

COVID-19 scientific evidence backing the closure of schools: FOI release

1. Why did the Scottish government choose to ignore the science produced by SPi-B and DfE? 2. Why did the Scottish government choose to not follow the science produced by SPi-B and DfE? 3. Why did the Scottish government choose to choose to put our children at risk of suicide by continuing to keep them out of school? 4...

FOI unclear 75 score 12 working days correspondence meetings 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100151007
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, +1 more … Public sector

Expenditure per school pupil by local authority: FOI release

What is the gross revenue expenditure per school pupil broken down by local authority area, for the most recent complete year that it is available for.

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence
Published
2021-03-03
Reference
FOI/202100140749
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Understanding teacher estimates for grading pupils receiving qualifications in 2020: FOI release

In relation to teacher estimates to grade pupils receiving qualifications in 2020, you asked: what work has been done/activities been undertaken to better understand why teacher estimates were so much higher than historic attainment please provide me with any written information exploring this issue – including, but n...

FOI already published 80 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-02
Reference
FOI/202000117808
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Average number of S4 pupils entered into Scottish National Qualifications Authority (SQA): FOI release

You asked for the average number of entries into SQA National Qualifications per S4 pupil at each secondary school in Scotland. Please provide the information in an Excel table and break the information down by school for each of the last 10 school years i.e. 2019/20, 2018/19, 2017/18, 2016/17, etc. If possible then pl...

FOI unclear 75 score 10 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202000110466
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Scottish Government Gaelic Learning Plan: FOI release

I am writing to request you provide me with an electronic copy of your organisation's Gaelic Language Plan under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. If this is available online, please could you provide me with a static URL directing me to this plan. I also request you provide me with electronic copies of any peri...

FOI unclear 75 score 3 working days correspondence 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202000114472
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Minutes and material with Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills regarding Higher Qualifications: FOI release

Minutes of any meetings involving the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, regarding Higher or Advanced Higher National Qualifications in 2020-21. Please could I also have any briefing material issued for these meetings. I would like this information from 20 November 2020 to 4 December 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202000121891
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

COVID-19: cancellation of 2021 Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) exams: FOI release

Shouldn’t the Young People have a say in whether they think Scottish Exams should be cancelled? What was wrong with using community centre facilities such as halls etc to do exams? Or is that too much money out of your budget as a Government, or is it simply that young people do not matter to you? Send me a report of o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000121881
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Discussions held relating to the cancellation of exams 2021: FOI release

1. Can you please advise and assist in the provision of any written correspondence and comms, extant in email, written transcript, minutes of meetings or letters, which mentions the following: Cancellation of National 5 Exams in 2021 (or similar language and synonyms). Postponement of Higher and Advanced Higher Exams ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000098431
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Teacher stance on Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) qualification approach: FOI release

Any communications (including letters and emails) from any member of the public identifying as either a teacher or former teacher, on the subject of SQA National Qualifications in 2021. I would like this information from 08 December 2020 to 16 December 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-23
Reference
FOI/202000126237
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Attainment Scotland Fund evaluation report internal communication: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, text messages, typed or hand-written notes, phone calls) regarding the Attainment Scotland Fund year 4 evaluation report. I would like this information from 08 August 2020 to 08 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000097473
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Communications regarding Rapid Review of National Qualifications Experience 2020: FOI release

Any minutes of, or briefings prepared for, the meeting held on 15 September 2020 between the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, and Mark Priestley, regarding the Rapid Review of National Qualifications Experience 2020. Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000104898
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

COVID-19: remote learning communications due to school closures: FOI release

‘Any communications (including letters and emails) from members of the public to the Scottish Government concerning remote learning as a result of school closures. I would like this information from 17 December 2020 to 13 January 2020’

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202100137214
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Communications to Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills regarding National 5 and Advanced Highers: FOI release

Any communications (including letters and emails) from members of the public to the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, on the subject of National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher qualifications. I would like this information from 07 October 2020 to 16 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000102905
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Discussions concerning Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) interim report: FOI release

1. Details of all the discussions between Scottish Ministers and the OECD on the subject of its producing an interim report (including copies of all correspondence, documents, reports, minutes, letters and emails). 2. A copy of all the internal Scottish Government discussions (including with Scottish Government agencie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.25(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-19
Reference
FOI/202000120882
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) review submissions and correspondence: FOI release

1. A copy of any submissions (evidence, reports, opinions or similar) received to date by the Scottish Government or National Coordinator, sent to them for the purposes of being passed to the OECD, which were returned to the sender without being considered by the OECD (either not referred to the OECD, or referred to th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.27(1) s.38(1) s.25 s.30 s.25(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-19
Reference
FOI/202000120876
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Communications to Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills regarding National 5 exams: FOI release

Any communications (including letters and emails) from members of the public to the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, regarding the decision to cancel National 5 exams in 2021. I would like this information from 08 October 2020 to 16 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000099391
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector