Good morning,

I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

I am requesting this information on behalf of Amnesty International UK, to help us understand the position of Local Authorities regarding the climate strike actions taken by school pupils in Scotland. We need to be able to advise our young activists, youth groups, and teachers about their potential participation in climate strikes and any action that may be taken against pupils with unauthorised absences.

Please send me:

1. The position of your local authority towards climate strikes and authorised/unauthorised absences from school in order to attend any Friday climate strikes, as of the date you respond to this request.

2. Confirmation of whether climate strikers will be recorded as authorised or unauthorised absences by schools in your Local Authority area, and whether any punitive action will be taken against pupils or schools for involvement in climate strikes.

3. Details of any changes to the position or policy towards climate strike actions and authorised/unauthorised absences in your Local Authority during 2019.

4. Copies of any letters that your Local Authority has sent to schools or to all parents/carers in your authority area during 2019, that relate to climate strikes or the Fridays for Future Movement.

I would like the above information to be provided to me in electronic format.

If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.

If any of this information is already in the public domain, please can you direct me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary.

I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Elizabeth Thomson
Campaigner
Amnesty International