New Struan School operated by Scottish Autism: FOI release

Information requested

1. Annual pupil roll data (2006–2025):

• The total number of pupils on roll for each academic year since the school’s registration/opening (approx. 2006/07) to the most recent available year (2024/25 or 2025/26 if available).
• The school’s registered maximum capacity for each year.
• Any notes or remarks attached to those returns (for example, where staffing, funding, or resources limited admissions).

2. Inspection records and follow-up correspondence:

• All inspection reports, follow-up letters, and improvement or action plans relating to New Struan School (2006–2025).
• Any correspondence between Education Scotland and Scottish Autism referring to inspections, school performance, or compliance.

3. Closure and transition discussions:

• All correspondence, meeting notes, or briefings mentioning “closure,” “transition,” “viability,” or “sustainability” of New Struan School.
• Any inter-agency discussions between Education Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Government, or local authorities about the school’s closure or the impact on pupils.

4. Complaints or enquiries:

• Copies or summaries of any complaints, concerns, or enquiries received by Education Scotland about New Struan School from 2019 to the present (for example, from parents, carers, or councils).

5. Equality, safeguarding, and oversight records:

• Any internal notes, assessments, or briefings regarding how the closure affects pupil safeguarding, equality of access, or continuity of education.
• Any references to duties under the Equality Act 2010, the UNCRC, or other child-rights frameworks.

6. Policy or guidance:

• Copies of any internal guidance, policy papers, or procedures used by Education Scotland or the Registrar when a registered independent school closes or proposes closure.

7. Registrar correspondence:

• All correspondence between the Independent Schools Registrar and Scottish Autism, or between the Registrar and local authorities, relating to the school’s closure (January 2024–present).

I would prefer this information in electronic format (PDF, Word, or spreadsheet).

Response

Our response to your request is outlined below;

1. We are unable to provide details of annual pupil roll data between 2006 and 2025. This is because Education Scotland does not routinely collect or maintain information relating to the roll or maximum capacity of independent schools. In accordance with section 17(1) of FOISA (notice that information is not held), we are therefore unable to provide some of the information you have requested because it is not held by Education Scotland.

​​​​​​​However, you may be interested to note that the roll of a school is provided in School Improvement Plans that are sent to HM Inspectors. Education Scotland hold some of the School Improvement Plans for New Struan School and these are included as documents 2a, 3a, 5a, 5b and 9a.

You can find details of all independent schools including their maximum roll on the Register of Independent Schools, which is published on the Scottish Government’s website. The Registrar of Independent Schools collates this information and may be able to assist you further. The Registrar can be contacted at: independentschools@educationscotland.gov.scot.

​​​​​​​2. Documents 1 to 9, including attachments marked (a) and (b), provide some of the information you have requested.

​​​​​​​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.

3. ​​​​​​​Documents 10 and 11 provide the some of the information you have requested.

​​​​​​​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 apply to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex A to this letter.

4. Education Scotland has not received any complaints, concerns, or enquiries about New Struan School from 2019 to the present.

​​​​​​​5. Education Scotland does not hold any records regarding equality, safeguarding, and oversight records in relation to the closure of New Struan School.

​​​​​​​In accordance with section 17(1) of FOISA (notice that information is not held), we are unable to supply the information requested as it is not held by Education Scotland.

​​​​​​​6. Education Scotland does not hold any policy or guidance documents in relation to the closure of an independent school. In accordance with section 17(1) of FOISA (notice that information is not held), we are unable to supply the information requested as it is not held by Education Scotland.

​​​​​​​The Registrar of Independent Schools may be able to provide this information as they maintain the Register of independent schools. The Registrar can be contacted at: independentschools@educationscotland.gov.scot

​​​​​​​7. Education Scotland does not hold any records of correspondence between the Registrar of Independent Schools and Scottish Autism and/or local authorities regarding the closure of New Struan School.

​​​​​​​In accordance with section 17(1) of FOISA (notice that information is not held), we are unable to supply the information requested as it is not held by Education Scotland.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Registrar of Independent Schools may be able to provide this information. The Registrar can be contacted at: independentschools@educationscotland.gov.scot

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 202500488807 - Information Released - Annex

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PDF

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10.0 MB