The School Placings and Exclusions Appeals Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The meeting was scheduled to consider an exclusion appeal and to discuss the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Exclusion Appeal

The committee was scheduled to consider an exclusion appeal concerning a student at Mintlaw Academy. This item was designated as exempt information, meaning the public and media representatives were to be excluded from this part of the meeting. The information related to the adoption, care, fostering, education, or supervision of a particular child.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members were reminded of their legal duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010¹ to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between those who share protected characteristics and those who do not. Protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

The guidance provided to members explained that to have due regard means consciously considering these needs when making decisions, and that this duty must influence the final decision. It was noted that the regard required would depend on the circumstances and the potential impact of a decision on individuals with protected characteristics. Members were directed to the Council Priorities, Implications and Risk section of reports to ascertain if an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) had been conducted and to consider its contents when reaching a decision. An IIA is typically appended to a report if a recommended action is likely to have a differential impact on people from different protected groups.