We want every pupil in every school to be able to thrive in a learning environment that is fair and where there are high expectations for every child to succeed. Effective use of data will help to ensure that disparity of attainment is actively tackled and that pupils can meet their full potential. Effective policies are undermined by lack of data. This has recently been vividly described as "no data no strategy."
This area of the site has information for local authorities, head teachers, governors, teachers and other interested individuals, including parents, on the collection and use of ethnic background data in schools. The use of this data is generally referred to as ethnic monitoring.
Click here to view documents to download, including letter to parents, data collection form and explanatory leaflet for parents.
The 2007 School Census will include a new pupil first language question. This will allow schools to record each pupil’s first language, rather than simply recording whether or not that language is English.
Schools have collected information on the ethnic background of their pupils since 1990. The DCSF has introduced ethnic categories based on those used in the 2001 national population Census.
