Bedgrove Junior School

The complainants have requested information from Bedgrove Junior School about the prolonged absence of the Headteacher from the school. The requests for information included details about the reasons for the absence, dates of departure and likely return, details of any disciplinary proceedings or complaints made against the Headteacher, copies of correspondence dealing with the absence, and whether a salary was being paid in absence. The School provided some of the requested information and relied upon Section 40(2) of the FOIA in relation to the majority of the remaining requested information. It stated that the information was personal data and its release would infringe the Data Protection Principles as the release of it would be unfair. The Commissioner’s decision is that the School have met their obligations under the FOIA. He is satisfied that the release of the requested information would be unfair. He therefore does not require the School to take any steps to comply with the legislation. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2013/0044 part allowed, permission to appeal refused.