Update on my Freedom of Information request to the DfE, On 8th August 2014 I made a Freedom of information request for the minutes of the meeting where ministers were told of hardliners trying to take over schools in Birmingham. m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27476643 The DfE have responded and refused to release the minutes of the alleged meeting. Here were the main reasons, 1. It is acknowledged that there is a general public interest in disclosure because of the need for there to be open and transparent government and that the sharing of information with the public should be free and open. 2. However, it is crucial to the effective implementation of policy that officials feel able to express their opinions and advice in an honest but protected space. 3. Officials must be allowed space to provide full and frank advice to Ministers unencumbered by concerns about how that advice might be perceived or presented in the public arena. This is important for the process of effective government. Disclosing the information requested would work directly against this, inhibiting officials and stakeholders from exploring ideas/options due to fear that information about them might be disclosed at an inappropriately early stage [36(2)(b)(ii)] and inhibiting free and frank provision of advice to ministers [36(2)(b)(i)]. 4. As announced by the Secretary of State on 9 June in his statement to Parliament, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education is currently investigating whether the department missed any warning signs, and in particular how the department dealt with warnings both since the formation of this Government in 2010 and before. The information you have requested is therefore the subject of this investigation and it is important not to release it prematurely. Premature release could adversely affect the effectiveness of the investigation process thereby impeding the effective conduct of public affairs [36(2)(c)]. What complete and utter rubbish! The officer concerned has already released it to National media so there is no longer reason to disclose. All that is needed is verification, which is being asked! I strongly suggest it is within public interest to do so because, 1. The officer concerned was used as an example in Parliament especially when Peter Clarkes report was released on 22nd July 2014. 2. The officer concerned claims have had significant bearings on a) Outcome of Peter Clarkes report b) Public opinion 3. The officer concerned meeting with ministers has been used amongst parents and the schooling community as evidence of what happened to determine the outcome on the investigations. 4. Lastly, I strongly believe my interest as a father of a child at Golden hillock School amongst other parents of the schools affected by the Trojan Horse saga is paramount. Myself, amongst other parents who have been affected by the officer concerned claim in the above news article have good reason to know if such claims, a) were made b) authentic c) the contents/reasons for the claims My son didnt achieve the GCSE result in 2014 as foretasted which I strongly believe was affected by The officer concerned claims, I believe I have a right to know if such claims were made and for what reason.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:40:51 +0000
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