Revised response to the recent FOI request

Thank you for your request for information.

To be valid under the FOIA a request must fulfil certain criteria as set out in section 8 of the Act. Section 8 (1)(b) specifically requires the requestor to provide a valid address for correspondence.

The web-link you have provided does not allow us to communicate with you as a correspondence address would as we are unable to properly seek clarification or offer advice and assistance as required under Section 16 or the FOIA.

In addition the form does not allow us to provide a proper refusal notice under section 17 of the FOIA.

Due to the prevalence of malware, our school does not allow the clicking on links in emails that have not been previously approved as safe and secure.

As it is not reasonably practicable for the school to provide a response through the web-link concerned, could you provide a valid email address and we will re-consider your request. Please note we are not refusing your request for information.

Best regards

When the school receives a valid email address from the requestor you should respond to the questions as set out in the request - see my advice below.

The requestor will suggest the school has refused the request and will ask for an internal review, the school could respond by saying:

We did not refuse your request, we simply asked you to supply a valid correspondence address, to allow us to respond, which you have now done. Therefore we have reconsidered your request and responded to each question accordingly.

1. Does your school have a policy which ensures separated parents are treated equally? If so, what issues does it cover?
   • Letters Home (Pupil Post) and emails are sent to both parents
   • Provision for both parents to attend parents evening separately if requested
   • Consent for school trips
   • Consent for Medical Treatment
   • Requests to change a child's surname
   • Involvement in meetings about a child's exclusion etc.
   • Information Sharing
   • Parent Governor Elections
   • Requirement for a court order to accompany any request to restrict another parent's PR
   • Seeking permission for applications to change a child's school
   • Other areas

   Answer: Yes or No as appropriate, but you may wish to add some context to indicate that the school does have guidance in place to cover these issues.

2. The number of pupils currently registered at the school.

   Answer: This should be quite straightforward to answer.

3. The number of pupils where both natural parents details are on record.

   Answer: If this information is recorded on the schools SIMS and is easily extractable then provide this information. However the likelihood is that information would be recorded in each of the pupil files and depending on the number of pupils on roll this may take in excess of 18 hours to locate, extract and collate. In that circumstance you can refuse to deal with this element of the request by applying the section 12 exemption - see paragraph below.

   Without looking at each individual pupil file I am afraid that we cannot answer this question within the appropriate limit of £450 (equivalent to 18 hours at £25 per hour) and are relying on section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to refuse to comply with this element of your request.

4. The number of pupils registered at your school where you only have details for the mother.

   Answer: If this information is recorded on the schools SIMS and is easily extractable then provide this information. However the likelihood is that information would be recorded in each of the pupil files and depending on the number of pupils on roll this may take in excess of 18 hours to locate, extract and collate. In that circumstance you can refuse to deal with this element of the request by applying the section 12 exemption - see paragraph below.

   Without looking at each individual pupil file I am afraid that we cannot answer this question within the appropriate limit of £450 (equivalent to 18 hours at £25 per hour) and are relying on section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to refuse to comply with this element of your request.

5. The number of pupils registered at your school where you only have details for the father.

   Answer: If this information is recorded on the schools SIMS and is easily extractable then provide this information. However the likelihood is that information would be recorded in each of the pupil files and depending on the number of pupils on roll this may take in excess of 18 hours to locate, extract and collate. In that circumstance you can refuse to deal with this element of the request by applying the section 12 exemption - see paragraph below.

   Without looking at each individual pupil file I am afraid that we cannot answer this question within the appropriate limit of £450 (equivalent to 18 hours at £25 per hour) and are relying on section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to refuse to comply with this element of your request.

6. What do you do to obtain details of all parents?
   • There is no policy in place to obtain a missing parents details
   • Request details of all parents in registration form
   • Ask the registered parent(s), verbally or in writing.
   • Ask parents to fill in a data collection sheet each year.
   • Request a copy of the child's birth certificate
   • Wait for the “absent” parent to contact the school
   • Keep an "Absent Parent Register" (missing parents can receive information if they provide SAEs)

   Answer: Any or all of the above as applicable.

7. What is the gender of your Headteacher?

   Answer: Whilst it would comply with FOI to provide a link to your website, this should be easy to answer.

8. The number of male teachers at your school.

   Answer: Provide as appropriate.

9. The number of female teachers at your school.

   Answer: Provide as appropriate.

10. The number of male teaching assistants at your school.

    Answer: Provide as appropriate.

11. The number of female teaching assistants at your school.

    Answer: Provide as appropriate.

12. The number of male ancillary staff at your school.

    Answer: Provide as appropriate.

13. The number of female ancillary staff at your school.

Answer: Provide as appropriate.

If you are unhappy with this response, and believe the school has not complied with legislation, please ask for a review by following our complaints process; details can be found at this link xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on our website.

If you still remain dissatisfied following an internal review, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner, who oversees compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Details of what you need to do, should you wish to pursue this course of action, are available from the Information Commissioner’s website

Contact Details

Michelle Hunt
Telephone: 03000 41 62 86
Email: informationgovernance@kent.gov.uk