How Should the Information be Made Available?
The scheme provides scope for a school to publish information in a variety of ways. It is expected that unless you state otherwise the information will be in paper form. However schools may wish to make information available on their websites. The model contains optional text in square brackets for this purpose.
Where information is available on a website the Information Commissioner will still expect hard copies to be made available on request as not everyone has access to the internet.
The Freedom of Information Act aims to develop a culture of openness amongst public authorities. Schools should raise awareness of the existence and contents of the scheme among the general public and parents in particular. You could do this through the Governors' Annual Report, through a paragraph in your newsletter and on your website if you have one. You may find the following paragraph helpful in meeting the requirements of the FOIA.
The Freedom of Information Act requires publicly funded bodies, including schools, to be clear about the information they publish. We have produced a publication scheme setting out all the information we publish on a regular basis and where to find it. Ask the school office to let you see the scheme or provide you with a copy free of charge.
