St Mary's Music School - Aided Places Scheme Funding 2025/26: equality impact assessment

Stage 4: Decision making and monitoring

Identifying and establishing any required mitigating action

Have positive or negative impacts been identified for any of the equality groups?

There are potential age-related negative impacts on children and young people from middle income families through the possibility of presenting financial barriers to specialist music education, but given the small numbers involved, this cannot be stated with any certainty. Financial support to low-income families who qualify for the aided places scheme is robust and therefore changes to fees should have little impact on these families. We are content that any potential negative impacts would not constitute unlawful discrimination.

Is the policy directly or indirectly discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010^[3]?

No

If the policy is indirectly discriminatory, how is it justified under the relevant legislation?

Not applicable

If not justified, what mitigating action will be undertaken?

Not applicable

Describing how Equality Impact analysis has shaped the policy making process

The EQIA evidences that the impact of the policy aligns with the policy intent, which seeks to reduce any negative impact on pupils as far as possible, whilst looking to maintain the School’s viability and ensuring this public spending delivers value for money. The EQIA process has helped inform the understanding of the potential impacts of the proposed increase to school fees.

Monitoring and Review

Discussions with the School regarding widening access are part of regular interactions. Scottish Government will monitor the effectiveness of the School’s activities to widen access, along with any impacts of the increase to school fees when they come into effect in August 2025, through maintaining ongoing dialogue with the School.