Freedom of Information (FOI)
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 ('the Act') gives the public the right of access to information held by public authorities and requires public authorities to make this information available. The intention of the Act is to increase visibility into the work of public bodies, to ensure that policy-making processes are fair, democratic and open.
As an NDPB, Partnerships for Schools is considered to be a public authority, and therefore subject to requests for information under the Act. More information about PfS and the Freedom of Information Act can be found in a guidance note which will soon be available to download from this website.
The Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) also apply to PfS. For more information on these and FOI, go to www.ico.gov.uk.
How to make a request
FOI requests must be made in writing, either by letter or email. The contact us page on this website gives all the relevant contact details.
We will respond to your request within 20 working days from the day after we receive the request, in accordance with the Act's regulations. Some information could be exempt from disclosure, in which case we will reply explaining how the relevant exemption applies.
Please note that PfS is not required to comply with requests for information where the costs of complying would exceed £450 ("the Appropriate Limit").
If you are not satisifed with a reply you receive from PfS, you are entitled to make a complaint, initially to PfS, but further to the Information Commissioner's Office. The PfS complaints procedure can be found in the guidance note on PfS and the Freedom of Information Act (see above).
