We have a new Information Commissioner, and she seems very exciting and hip. She keeps talking about how she wants to expand Freedom of Information laws to any group with a public contract. Which sounds great and everyone is excited. I … Read More
Four weeks ago, on a Friday afternoon, I received a text saying the government had dumped me. After three and a half of years of head-to-head battle with the department for education over some free school documents – including endless … Read More
It was 9.05am when I rang the tribunal office to find out if the Department for Education would be appealing the Information Commissioner's decision against them. Again. I wanted to know if I would find myself in court defending a request … Read More
After three years, two court cases, endless emails, and a new interpretation of the law to try and stop it, the Department for Education have been ordered - yet again - to provide me information about free schools. The independent commissioner … Read More
"The Education Secretary reveals she has ordered a wide-ranging inquiry into the impact of mass migration on state schools, as tens of thousands of parents struggle to find school places for their children. " Those are the words in a Telegraph … Read More
In October, education secretary Nicky Morgan launched the 'Workload Challenge' - a consultation with teachers about their work burden and would could be done to reduce it. The Department for Education tweeted the hell out of it and made a thing … Read More
Back in May, I explained how to make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in 8 Easy Steps. That info is good for just about any type of FOI request. In this blog I want to get into the specifics … Read More
So, the results are in on the Information Tribunal. And... I lost. Frustrating and upsetting as it is, it's what the judge on the day found and so I have to accept that a blanket ask for free school applications and … Read More
As explained a while back, I am currently in the process of studying academy providers who applied to run schools under the Targeted Basic Need Programme. One of the things I requested under the Freedom of Information Act was the plans … Read More
A few people have contacted me recently asking how they use the Freedom of Information Act to access documents held by the government or other public authorities (including schools and Ofsted). I'm always delighted to help but I also understand … Read More