FOI Request - Confiscation of Items in Schools

Request 101003706646

Can I please request for the last five financial years (2019-20 to 2023-24):

1.  The total number of items listed below that have been confiscated by school staff in Scottish (a) primary and (a) secondary schools that are considered banned by the UK Government.

(a)  Weapons
(b)  Alcohol
(c)  Illegal Drugs
(d)  Stolen goods
(e)  Tobacco products
(f)   Pornographic images
(g)  Fireworks
(h)  Anything that has been, or is likely to be, used to cause injury or commit an offence
(i)  Anything banned in the school rules

Response 19-02-2025

1. The number of weapons / improvised weapons that have been confiscated is

2019/20 - Primary 12 / Secondary 13
2020/21 - Primary 13 / Secondary 5
2021/22 - Primary 10 / Secondary 9
2022/23 - Primary 7 / Secondary 12
2023/24 - Primary 14 / Secondary 7

To answer the other questions, we would have to read through thousands of pupil files We would have to search through every file individually. This task would cost the Council in excess of £600 of staff time. In accordance with section 12 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (excessive cost), we are therefore unable to comply with this part of the request.