The School Placings and Exclusions Appeals Committee of Aberdeenshire Council was scheduled to consider appeals relating to school placements and exclusions. The meeting's agenda included a review of the Public Sector Equality Duty and the procedure for remote meetings, alongside specific appeals concerning Inverurie Academy, Kemnay Primary, and Mackie Academy.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The committee was scheduled to consider and potentially adopt a resolution regarding the Public Sector Equality Duty. This duty, outlined in Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010¹, requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between individuals who share protected characteristics and those who do not. The protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Members were to be guided by Integrated Impact Assessments (IIAs) where provided, which would highlight any potential differential impacts of decisions on different protected groups.

Exclusion Appeal: Inverurie Academy

A scheduled item for discussion was an exclusion appeal concerning Inverurie Academy, identified as E 1028. This item was designated as exempt under paragraph 5 of the relevant schedule, indicating that it involved information relating to the adoption, care, fostering, education, or supervision of a particular child. The report pack indicated that this item was scheduled to be heard at 1:00 pm.

Placing Appeal: Kemnay Primary

The committee was also scheduled to consider a placing appeal for Kemnay Primary, referenced as E 1030. Similar to the exclusion appeal, this item was marked as exempt under paragraph 5, pertaining to sensitive information about a child's care or education. This appeal was scheduled to be heard at 2:00 pm.

Placing Appeal: Mackie Academy

Another placing appeal, E 1031, concerning Mackie Academy, was listed on the agenda. This item was also subject to exemption under paragraph 5, due to its sensitive nature regarding a child's welfare and education. The report indicated this appeal was scheduled for 3:00 pm.

The meeting's procedure for remote hearings was also to be reviewed. This procedure outlines how the Chair will introduce attendees, confirm the presence of legal representatives and appellants, manage observers, and detail the steps for presenting cases, questioning witnesses, and summing up. The committee's decision in each appeal case was to be notified in writing within 14 days of the hearing.