The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a decision notice upholding a complaint against St. Werburgh’s C. E. Primary School. The school failed to respond to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request within the 20 working days stipulated by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The decision notice, dated March 12, 2026, mandates that the school must now provide the complainant with a response to their request within 30 calendar days.

This decision highlights the importance of adhering to statutory deadlines for responding to FOI requests. Educational institutions, like all public authorities, must ensure their internal processes are robust enough to meet these obligations. Failure to do so can result in an upheld complaint and a formal requirement to comply, with potential for further action if non-compliance persists. Compliance officers within educational institutions should review their FOI handling procedures to ensure timely responses.