The Information Commissioner  has power to approve 'model' schemes for particular classes of public bodies, including schools.

Two model publication schemes have been approved by the Information Commissioner for the governing bodies of maintained schools. These are designed for primary and secondary schools with special schools advised to use the secondary model. A model for maintained nursery schools is being developed and will be available in 2004, but they have until 30 June 2004 to adopt a scheme.

A publication scheme is essentially a guide to information that a public body commits to make available to the public and states how it can be accessed (eg paper, online) and whether it is available free or at a charge.

These notes are aimed to help you and will explain the steps you need to take in order to adopt the scheme. Having adopted the model scheme your school will then be obliged to publish the information set out in it.

The model scheme was developed by DfES in consultation with interested parties and has been approved by the Information Commissioner's Office.

Is the Model Scheme appropriate for your school?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 defines the public authorities that are covered by the Act and so are required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. All maintained schools are covered by the Act and by adopting the model scheme you will meet the requirements of the Act. However, if you wish to, you may submit a 'bespoke' scheme for approval by the Commissioner which better caters for your school's individual circumstances. If you decide you would prefer to submit a bespoke scheme please see the section: further help and assistance. Please note that a bespoke scheme must be submitted by 31 December 2003.

The Model Scheme

The model scheme has been developed in a way that should allow a school to simply insert its own details into the appropriate places as indicated by the bold text in capital letters contained in square brackets.

To adopt the model and comply with the FoI requirements, the steps a school needs to take are:

• Adoption of the model scheme by the governing body, recording the decision in the governing body minutes.
• Enter your school and contact details in the model, removing/including any reference to your website. Including a £ sign in the description box where there is a charge
• Publish the scheme ? see 'how should the information be made available'
• Make the information available on request ? you may want to review your record management system by undertaking a simple audit of your documents to help you respond to any request.

What will adopting the model publication scheme commit a school to do?

Simply completing a copy of the model scheme does not in itself fulfil a school's obligation under the Act in relation to publication schemes. A school has to make its publication scheme available and publish information in accordance with that scheme. By adopting the model scheme, your school is committing itself to publishing the information described.

As new information is produced which falls within a class definition, it should be prepared for publication and made available.

Schools are one of the last public authorities in the rolling programme that are required to have a publication scheme in place by 29 February 2004. The DfES will issue further guidance to schools on the effect of the Freedom of Information Act from 2005 covering how to respond to requests for information not set out in your publication scheme.