The School Placings and Exclusions Appeals Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Wednesday 20 May 2026. The meeting was scheduled to consider three placing appeals relating to Westhill Academy.

Placing Appeals for Westhill Academy

The committee was scheduled to consider three placing appeals, identified as E 1043, E 1048, and E 1049, all concerning Westhill Academy. These items were designated as exempt from public disclosure under paragraph 5 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, due to involving information relating to the adoption, care, fostering, education, or supervision of a particular child. The report pack indicated that these appeals would be heard following a specific procedure, which included the presentation of cases by the Education Authority and the appellant, followed by questioning from both sides and the committee. The committee was to deliberate in private, with decisions to be notified in writing within 14 days.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The committee was scheduled to consider and potentially adopt a resolution regarding the Public Sector Equality Duty. This duty, established under 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 between those with and without protected characteristics; and foster good relations between such groups. The protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The report pack highlighted that members should consider Integrated Impact Assessments (IIAs)² where provided, as these assessments indicate potential differential impacts of decisions on individuals with protected characteristics.

Meeting Procedure and Exempt Information

The meeting was also scheduled to address procedural matters, including the admission of observers and the general meeting procedure. A resolution was to be considered regarding the exclusion of the public and media representatives from specific agenda items (Items 6, 7, and 8) on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information. This exclusion would be enacted under Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.