Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme on information available under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 aims to promote greater openness by public authorities such as government and other public sector organizations, including academies. The Freedom of Information Act came into effect on 1st January 2005.

Aim of the publication scheme

The publication scheme covers the Academy’s commitment on the following points:

• To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by the Academy and falls within the classifications below.
• To specify the information that is held by the Academy and falls within the classifications below.
• To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
• To produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public.
• To review and update on a regular basis the information the Academy makes available under this scheme.
• To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
• To make this publication scheme available to the public.
• Certain categories of information are exempt – such as personal data about students and staff.

The Publication Scheme

The publication scheme sets out the broad “classes” of information published by Maltings Academy. There is also a list of the actual documents, grouped under the “class” headings, which will be amended from time to time.

How is information available?

Some information can be found on the Maltings Academy Website. Other information is available from the Academy in printed form.

If you ask for information that is not already published, we will do our best to provide advice and assistance. However, the law requires us only to provide information which already exists and which we already hold. If the information you ask for is held by another organization, we will put you in contact with that organization.

The cost of providing information

Printed copies of information are usually free but the academy reserves the right to charge for photocopying. If your request involves a large amount of copying or administrative time in preparing documents which contain personal information which has to be removed we may charge. You will be informed of the charge before you decide whether you wish to pursue your request.

Retention Schedule

Maltings Academy follows the Retention Guidelines for schools (2004) proposed by the Records Management Society of Great Britain and approved by the DfE.

Feedback

We welcome suggestions of how Maltings Academy can provide more useful or clearer information. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing or by email to the Headteacher at Maltings Academy.

If you are not satisfied with the assistance that you get or if we have not been able to resolve your complaint and you feel that a formal complaint needs to be made then this should be addressed to the Information Commissioners Office. This is the organisation that ensures compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and that deals with formal complaints. They can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Enquiry/Information Line: 01625 545 700
e-mail: publications@ic-foi.demon.co.uk
Website: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Classes of Information Available

Who we are and what we do

Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts.

What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information about actual income and expenditure, financial audit, tendering, procurement and contracts.

What our priorities are and how we are doing

Strategies and plans, audits, inspections and reviews.

How we make decisions

Decision making processes and records of decisions.

Our policies and procedures

Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities.

We would expect information in this class to be current only.

Lists and Registers

Information in currently maintained lists and registers only.

The Services we Offer

Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.

The classes of information will not generally include:

• Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure. This includes information protected by the Data Protection Act.
• Information in draft form.
• Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.