The Appeals Panel resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Consideration was given to an appeal against the refusal of a placing request at St Andrews Academy. 

All participants had been invited to attend virtually by means of MS Teams. G Thomson, Senior Solicitor (Finance & Resources) and A Gallagher, Resource Manager (Children's Services), both representing the Education Authority, were in attendance. The appellant in respect of the appeal St Andrews Academy 23/01 was also in attendance, accompanied by a representative.

D Briggs, Senior Solicitor (Litigation & Advice) outlined the procedure to be followed in hearing the appeal.

G Thomson then presented the case for the Education Authority and led evidence from A Gallagher in relation to the circumstances surrounding the refusal of the placing request.

The appellant, together with their representative, were then invited to present their case.

Each side having been given the opportunity to cross examine and sum up, were thanked for their attendance and left the hearing.

DECIDED: That one or more of the grounds of refusal specified in Section 28(A) (3) and (3A) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 existed and that in all the circumstances, it was appropriate to confirm the Education Authority’s decision and that the appeal be not upheld. This was agreed unanimously.