Data Collection - Ethnicity

Ethnicity is one element of data that schools must report, as a statutory requirement, to the Department for Children, Schools, and Families (DCSF). This is reported through the School Census each January.

Material on this site is intended to help schools and local authorities carry out this process and maintain it in future years.

	FAQs
	For frequently asked questions on the collection and use of ethnic background data in schools.
	The legal basis for the collection of pupils' ethnicity data
	Guidance for LEAs
	DfES Guidance for LEA on schools' collection and recording of data on pupil's ethnic background. (DfES 0002/2002)
	Final Key List of extended Ethnic Groups
	Table of extended ethnic group categories and how they should consistently map onto the national categories (2006).
	List of Local Authority (LA) ethnicity categories
	This list details the ethnicity codes in use by each LA in England.
	Download letters, leaflets & forms
	Documents to download including English and translated versions of model letter to parents, data collection form and explanatory leaflet for parents If you experience problems accessing or downloading any of these files, please email ethnic.minorities@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 020 7925 5562.
	Letters to parents
	Model letter to parents on data collection - (Annex B of Guidance) English language version. (Also available in word through the Download letters, leaflets & forms Section above)
	Leaflet for parents
	Explanatory leaflet for Parents - English language version
	Data Collection Form
	Ethnic group data collection form - (Annex A of Guidance) English language version