School uniform, girls, trousers, Bearsden Academy

The request was partially successful.

Dr Robert S. Coull

Dear East Dunbartonshire Council,

Please could you provide information on:

1. The current policy on school uniform as it relates to the wearing of trousers by girls in Bearsden Academy.

2. Previous versions of this policy going back 2 years where changes to the policy have been made in this period.

3. The process by which this policy was created (including who was involved and what stakeholders were consulted).

4. The steps taken to ensure that any policy generated is not offensive to feminist pupils (eg: by being perceived as forcing feminist pupils to chose between wearing "boy's" trousers or a skirt) which would place them at increased risk of psychological distress.

5. The steps taken to ensure that pupils with strongly held beliefs (including, but not limited to, feminist beliefs) are not disadvantaged by placing their strongly held beliefs in conflict with the school administrators' policy, exposing them to disciplinary hazards and the risk of being falsely labelled as 'trouble makers' with the resultant negative impacts on their education and standing within the organisation.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Robert S. Coull

East Dunbartonshire Council

Thank you for you Freedom of Information request.

This is an automated response. Your message has been received by East
Dunbartonshire Council.

Your request will be dealt with promptly and a full response will be issued
within 20 working days.

Should you not receive a response within this period, or you have any other
queries about your request please contact: [East Dunbartonshire Council request email] or 0141
578 8057.

DISCLAIMER:
This email and any files transmitted with it are intended for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. It may contain information of a confidential or privileged nature.

If you have received this email in error please notify the originator of the message and destroy the e-mail.

East Dunbartonshire Council can not be held responsible for viruses, therefore please scan all attachments.

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Further information detailing how East Dunbartonshire holds and uses personal information and copies of privacy notices used throughout the Council are available on our website at:
https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council...

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The views expressed in this message are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect those of East Dunbartonshire Council who will not necessarily be bound by its contents.

East Dunbartonshire Council

Dear Dr Coull

Thank you for your request for information. In answer to your enquiry I can
provide the following response on behalf of East Dunbartonshire Council:

1. The current policy on school uniform as it relates to the wearing of
trousers by girls in Bearsden Academy.

The schools policy is detailed below:

CLOTHING AND SCHOOL DRESS

We strongly believe that pupils should adhere to the Dress Code outlined
below for a variety of reasons, primarily on grounds of security since we
are able to identify any intruders immediately and easily. Secondly, we
believe that pupils should identify with the school. Thirdly, the ethos of
the school is greatly enhanced when pupils are in uniform and lastly, but
by no means least, it precludes the wearing of designer or casual clothing
which is expensive and can easily encourage competition or confrontation.

BEARSDEN ACADEMY DRESS CODE SCHOOL WEAR
All pupils must wear a white shirt buttoned to the neck, and a
school tie worn at the neck.
Tops must be plain and black.
Trousers should be tailored, plain and black, and full length.
Skirts should be plain and black and of an appropriate length.
(see photograph).
Pupils should wear the school blazer.
Headwear may only be worn in school for religious or health
reasons and should be plain and dark.
Items of jewellery, if worn, should be unobtrusive.
School bags should be capable of carrying securely all
textbooks and equipment required for the day, and should be as
sturdy as possible.

UNACCEPTABLE WEAR
Casual items of clothing or footwear with large advertising
names or logos.
Trainers or other fashion footwear.
Jeans or other items of denim clothing.
Football colours, scarves or any item of clothing that could
cause offence.
Loose clothing or accessories that could constitute a safety
hazard or cause damage.
Hooded tops are not to be worn in school.

PE KIT
For all PE activities pupils must have a separate bag with a change of
clothing and footwear for the purpose. (Freshly laundered clothing will be
issued to pupils who have no kit, to enable them to participate in the
lesson).
PE kit is the same for boys and girls, and comprises:
Plain white or dark t-shirt or polo shirt.
Self coloured shorts.
Tracksuit/jogging bottoms.
Sports socks and outdoor training shoes.

Please note that all jewellery must be removed for safety reasons before a
pupil can take part in PE or other extra-curricular sporting activities.
Football strips are not permitted in the PE department, nor are tops with
zips or hoods.
Details of how to purchase uniform are available on the school website

2. Previous versions of this policy going back 2 years where changes to
the policy have been made in this period.

There have been no changes to the dress code in the last two years

3. The process by which this policy was created (including who was
involved and what stakeholders were consulted).

At the most recent review there was extensive consultation with pupil
groups through pupil councils and PSE. The Parent Council was also
consulted.

4. The steps taken to ensure that any policy generated is not offensive to
feminist pupils (eg: by being perceived as forcing feminist pupils to chose
between wearing "boy's" trousers or a skirt) which would place them at
increased risk of psychological distress.

The school has taken steps to ensure that the policy complies with Equality
legislation and with Scottish Government advice.

5. The steps taken to ensure that pupils with strongly held beliefs
(including, but not limited to, feminist beliefs) are not disadvantaged by
placing their strongly held beliefs in conflict with the school
administrators' policy, exposing them to disciplinary hazards and the risk
of being falsely labelled as 'trouble makers' with the resultant negative
impacts on their education and standing within the organisation.

The school has taken steps to ensured that the policy complies with
Equality legislation

Should you have any questions on the content of the response and would like
the Local Authority to clarify or explain, please do feel free to get in
contact, citing the enquiry reference number above.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which East Dunbartonshire Council
responded to your request, you are entitled to require the Council to
review its decision. The review will be handled by staff who were not
involved in the original decision. Please note that in order for a review
to take place you must:

Lodge a written requirement for a review within 40 working days of
the date of this letter
Include a correspondence address and a description of the original
request and the reason why you are dissatisfied.
Address your request to the Freedom of Information Officer:

Stephen Armstrong
Freedom of Information/Data Protection Officer,
East Dunbartonshire Council,
Telephone No. 0141-578 8057
[East Dunbartonshire Council request email]

The review will be handled by staff who were not involved in the original
decision. You will receive notice of the results of the review within 20
working days of receipt of your request. The notice will state the
findings of the review as well as details of how to appeal to the Scottish
Information Commissioner if you are still dissatisfied with the Council?s
response. You must request an internal review by the Council before a
complaint can be directed to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Yours sincerely

Greg Bremner
Acting Chief Education Officer

East Dunbartonshire Council
12 Strathkelvin Place
KIRKINTILLOCH
Glasgow
G66 1TJ

Tel: 0300 123 4510 ext 3265
e-mail: [email address]
http: www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk

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show quoted sections

Dr Robert S. Coull

Dear East Dunbartonshire Council,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of East Dunbartonshire Council's handling of my FOI request 'School uniform, girls, trousers, Bearsden Academy'.

The response was incomplete and does not provide information on the steps taken in parts 4 and 5 of the request.

Please provide information on the steps taken. A detailed response will reduce the need for additional requests to clarify individual steps.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/s...

Yours faithfully,

Dr Robert S. Coull

East Dunbartonshire Council

Thank you for you Freedom of Information request.

This is an automated response. Your message has been received by East
Dunbartonshire Council.

Your request will be dealt with promptly and a full response will be issued
within 20 working days.

Should you not receive a response within this period, or you have any other
queries about your request please contact: [East Dunbartonshire Council request email] or 0141
578 8057.

DISCLAIMER:
This email and any files transmitted with it are intended for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. It may contain information of a confidential or privileged nature.

If you have received this email in error please notify the originator of the message and destroy the e-mail.

East Dunbartonshire Council can not be held responsible for viruses, therefore please scan all attachments.

Any personal data contained in email communications with East Dunbartonshire Council will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2016/679 ("GDPR") and all other relevant national data protection laws.

Further information detailing how East Dunbartonshire holds and uses personal information and copies of privacy notices used throughout the Council are available on our website at:
https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council...

The Council?s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at [email address] or on Tel: 0300 123 4510.

The views expressed in this message are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect those of East Dunbartonshire Council who will not necessarily be bound by its contents.

East Dunbartonshire Council

Dear Dr Coull,

Review FOI/10628 - School uniform, girls, trousers, Bearsden Academy:

I write in response to your request that East Dunbartonshire Council carry
out an internal Review of your Freedom of Information enquiry on the above
subject. I can confirm that I am an officer who was not involved in dealing
with your original request.

I find that, in dealing with your request, it was processed in accordance
with the requirements of Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland)
Act 2002/ the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, in
that the formal response was sent to you within 20 working days of the
Council receiving your request.

As you have expressed your dissatisfaction with the response I must now
re-assess the Council's answer to your enquiry.

Your original request for information sought the following;

1. The current policy on school uniform as it relates to the wearing of
trousers by girls in Bearsden Academy.

2. Previous versions of this policy going back 2 years where changes to
the policy have been made in this period.

3. The process by which this policy was created (including who was
involved and what stakeholders were consulted).

4. The steps taken to ensure that any policy generated is not offensive to
feminist pupils (eg: by being perceived as forcing feminist pupils to chose
between wearing "boy's" trousers or a skirt) which would place them at
increased risk of psychological distress.

5. The steps taken to ensure that pupils with strongly held beliefs
(including, but not limited to, feminist beliefs) are not disadvantaged by
placing their strongly held beliefs in conflict with the school
administrators' policy, exposing them to disciplinary hazards and the risk
of being falsely labelled as 'trouble makers' with the resultant negative
impacts on their education and standing within the organisation.

The Council provided the following response;

1. The current policy on school uniform as it relates to the wearing of
trousers by girls in Bearsden Academy.

The schools policy is detailed below:

CLOTHING AND SCHOOL DRESS

We strongly believe that pupils should adhere to the Dress Code outlined
below for a variety of reasons, primarily on grounds of security since we
are able to identify any intruders immediately and easily. Secondly, we
believe that pupils should identify with the school. Thirdly, the ethos of
the school is greatly enhanced when pupils are in uniform and lastly, but
by no means least, it precludes the wearing of designer or casual clothing
which is expensive and can easily encourage competition or confrontation.

BEARSDEN ACADEMY DRESS CODE SCHOOL WEAR
All pupils must wear a white shirt buttoned to the neck, and a school tie
worn at the neck.
Tops must be plain and black.
Trousers should be tailored, plain and black, and full length.
Skirts should be plain and black and of an appropriate length.
Pupils should wear the school blazer.
Headwear may only be worn in school for religious or health reasons and
should be plain and dark.
Items of jewellery, if worn, should be unobtrusive.
School bags should be capable of carrying securely all textbooks and
equipment required for the day, and should be as sturdy as possible.

UNACCEPTABLE WEAR
Casual items of clothing or footwear with large advertising names or logos.

Trainers or other fashion footwear.
Jeans or other items of denim clothing.
Football colours, scarves or any item of clothing that could cause offence.

Loose clothing or accessories that could constitute a safety hazard or
cause damage.
Hooded tops are not to be worn in school.

PE KIT
For all PE activities pupils must have a separate bag with a change of
clothing and footwear for the purpose. (Freshly laundered clothing will be
issued to pupils who have no kit, to enable them to participate in the
lesson).
PE kit is the same for boys and girls, and comprises:
Plain white or dark t-shirt or polo shirt.
Self coloured shorts.
Tracksuit/jogging bottoms.
Sports socks and outdoor training shoes.

Please note that all jewellery must be removed for safety reasons before a
pupil can take part in PE or other extra-curricular sporting activities.
Football strips are not permitted in the PE department, nor are tops with
zips or hoods.
Details of how to purchase uniform are available on the school website

2. Previous versions of this policy going back 2 years where changes to
the policy have been made in this period.

There have been no changes to the dress code in the last two years

3. The process by which this policy was created (including who was involved
and what stakeholders were consulted).

At the most recent review there was extensive consultation with pupil
groups through pupil councils and PSE. The Parent Council was also
consulted.

4. The steps taken to ensure that any policy generated is not offensive to
feminist pupils (eg: by being perceived as forcing feminist pupils to chose

between wearing "boy's" trousers or a skirt) which would place them at
increased risk of psychological distress.

The school has taken steps to ensure that the policy complies with Equality
legislation and with Scottish Government advice.

5. The steps taken to ensure that pupils with strongly held beliefs
(including, but not limited to, feminist beliefs) are not disadvantaged by
placing their strongly held beliefs in conflict with the school
administrators' policy, exposing them to disciplinary hazards and the risk
of being falsely labelled as 'trouble makers' with the resultant negative
impacts on their education and standing within the organisation.

The school has taken steps to ensured that the policy complies with
Equality legislation

I have reviewed the request and would advise that I believe that the
information has been provided that is held and have upheld the response
that was issued. The Service have confirmed that the information requested
is not held as per S17 of the Freedom of Inormation Act.

Please do feel free to contact me if I can clarify any part of the above.

If you remain dissatisfied with the Council's response to your request for
review you are entitled under Section 47(1) of the Act to apply to the
Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision as to why your Freedom of
Information request has not been dealt with in accordance with Part 1 of
the Act. Your application must be in writing or some other permanent form
which can be used for subsequent reference and must be submitted before the
expiry of six months after the date of your receipt of this letter/message.
It should be sent to the following address:- Scottish Information
Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews KY16 9DS.
Telephone 01334464610. Fax 01334 464611. Email:
[email address]

Under Section 56 of the Act an appeal is available on a point of law to the
Court of Session against a decision by the Scottish Information
Commissioner in response to an application under Section 47 of the Act.

Gail Macfarlane
Executive Officer - Roads and Transport
Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets
East Dunbartonshire Council

From: "Dr Robert S. Coull"
<[FOI #529842 email]>
To: FOI requests at East Dunbartonshire Council
<[East Dunbartonshire Council request email]>
Date: 29/11/2018 15:20
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request - School
uniform, girls, trousers, Bearsden Academy

Dear East Dunbartonshire Council,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information
reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of East Dunbartonshire Council's
handling of my FOI request 'School uniform, girls, trousers, Bearsden
Academy'.

The response was incomplete and does not provide information on the steps
taken in parts 4 and 5 of the request.

Please provide information on the steps taken. A detailed response will
reduce the need for additional requests to clarify individual steps.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the
Internet at this address:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/s...

Yours faithfully,

Dr Robert S. Coull

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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[FOI #529842 email]

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show quoted sections

Dr Robert S. Coull

Dear East Dunbartonshire Council,

Thank you for your response.

Your response is that you hold the following data regarding parts (4) and (5) of my request:
“The school has taken steps to ensure that the policy complies with Equalities legislation”.
You state this for both sections.

However, you now state that EDC does not hold any data on those steps.

Both statements cannot be true: either (a) you don’t hold any information on steps being taken, or (b) you do hold information relating to steps being taken. However, you cannot logically both hold the information and not hold the information.

From a public interest perspective this paradox causes the moral hazard that a public body (EDC) can claim to be in compliance with legislation whilst stating it does not hold any evidence for this compliance.

In view of the apparent paradox, and the public interest in obtaining the information, I will now pass this on to the SIC for guidance.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Robert S. Coull

East Dunbartonshire Council

Thank you for you Freedom of Information request.

This is an automated response. Your message has been received by East
Dunbartonshire Council.

Your request will be dealt with promptly and a full response will be issued
within 20 working days.

Should you not receive a response within this period, or you have any other
queries about your request please contact: [East Dunbartonshire Council request email] or 0141
578 8057.

DISCLAIMER:
This email and any files transmitted with it are intended for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. It may contain information of a confidential or privileged nature.

If you have received this email in error please notify the originator of the message and destroy the e-mail.

East Dunbartonshire Council can not be held responsible for viruses, therefore please scan all attachments.

Any personal data contained in email communications with East Dunbartonshire Council will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2016/679 ("GDPR") and all other relevant national data protection laws.

Further information detailing how East Dunbartonshire holds and uses personal information and copies of privacy notices used throughout the Council are available on our website at:
https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council...

The Council?s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at [email address] or on Tel: 0300 123 4510.

The views expressed in this message are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect those of East Dunbartonshire Council who will not necessarily be bound by its contents.