Restructure of Primary Enhanced Provisions in Falkirk Primary Schools: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for information relating to Falkirk Council’s proposal entitled “Enhanced Support in Falkirk Primary Schools” (Agenda Item 6, Falkirk Council Executive, 21 August 2025) and the statutory consultation now underway to restructure Primary Enhanced Provisions.

Specifically:

1. Correspondence with Falkirk Council

All correspondence (emails, letters, meeting notes or Teams/telephone notes) between Education Scotland staff and Falkirk Council officers — including the Director of Education, Head of Education (ELC, ASN and Primary), Quality Improvement Manager (ASN) or ASL Review Project Manager from 1 January 2025 to the present, concerning:

•  the proposed restructuring of Enhanced Provision;
• the statutory consultation process under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010; or
• Education Scotland’s statutory role in preparing its report on the educational aspects of this proposal.
   

2. Internal Education Scotland Briefings and Advice Notes

Copies of any internal briefings, memos, scoping papers or advice notes prepared for HM Inspectors, senior management, or the Strategic Director of Education Scotland which:

•  consider or reference Falkirk Council’s proposal;
•  outline Education Scotland’s approach to the forthcoming report required under Section 8 of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010; or
•  discuss any potential implications for children’s rights, inclusion or compliance with the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.

3. UNCRC and Children’s Rights Considerations

Any document, briefing or correspondence (internal or external) that refers to:

•  Education Scotland’s duty under Sections 2–4 of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 to give due regard to children’s rights in performing its functions;
•  consideration of relevant UNCRC Articles (2, 3, 12, 23 and 28) in relation to Falkirk Council’s proposal; or
•  any policy or guidance issued by Education Scotland to its staff on incorporating UNCRC duties into Schools Consultation Act reporting.

4. Educational Benefits and Impact Assessment Materials

Any drafts, templates, or guidance used by Education Scotland to assess the educational benefits or rights impacts of proposals to close or alter special classes, including how children’s rights and wellbeing considerations are embedded within those assessments.

If any part of this request risks exceeding the cost limit under Section 12 FOISA, please advise how it may be refined.

If information is withheld, please specify the relevant exemption and explain how the publicinterest test was applied.

Response

Please see Annex B attached that contains the emails and attachments in regards to the statutory consultation now underway to restructure Primary Enhanced Provisions.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections 30(c) – prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs and 38(1)(b) – personal information of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex A to this letter.

The inspection reports for Beancross, Denny and Wallacestone Primary Schools are available on the HMIE website at the following links:

Beancross Primary School | Inspection Report | His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland

Denny Primary School | Inspection Report | His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland

Wallacestone Primary School | Inspection Report | His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain the information from the links above, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500488668 - Information Released - Attachments

File type

PDF

File size

1.8 MB