The School Placings and Exclusions Appeals Committee was scheduled to consider two placing appeals. The committee was also due to discuss its procedures and the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The committee was scheduled to consider its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, as outlined in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010¹. This duty 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 reminded that this duty requires conscious consideration of these needs when making decisions and that they should consider any Integrated Impact Assessments (IIAs) provided within reports.

Placing Appeal: Kemnay Primary School

A placing appeal concerning Kemnay Primary School was scheduled for discussion. This item was designated as exempt from public disclosure under paragraph 5 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, due to the likely disclosure of information relating to the adoption, care, fostering, education, or supervision of a particular child.

Placing Appeal: Kellands Primary School

Similarly, a placing appeal for Kellands Primary School was also on the agenda. This item was also exempt from public disclosure for the same reasons as the Kemnay Primary School appeal.

Meeting Procedure

The committee was scheduled to review its meeting procedures. This included outlining the process for remote meetings, such as the introduction of attendees, the presentation of cases by the Education Authority and the appellant, questioning of witnesses, and summing up. The procedure also detailed how decisions would be communicated to the parties involved.