Data Collection – Pupil First Language
Guidance for Pupil Language Data Collection - April 2006
Pupil Language Data - Guidance for Local Authorities on schools' collection and recording of data on pupils’ languages (in compliance with the Data Protection Act) (Ref 0414-2006DOC-EN)
This guidance for Local Authorities (LAs) advises on the collection and recording of data on pupils' spoken languages for local purposes and for the School Census (formerly the Pupil Level Annual School Census).
It confirms the role of LAs in providing leadership and support to their schools in the collection of data to inform inclusion and equality strategies at school, LA and national level, thereby helping to ensure that every child has the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential.
The School Census 2007 will collect language data using the category list contained in Annex A of the guidance. Collection of language data using the full list is voluntary.
Previous data collections from schools have collected pupil’s first language using a restricted list of categories (identified by an asterisk in Annex A). These categories have all been included in the new category list to allow LAs who at present do not wish to adopt the full list to maintain the use of the restricted list.
Action required by Local Authorities wishing to use the full language category list
i) During 2006:
To advise and support schools on the collection and recording of data on pupils' languages. LAs with schools currently collecting language data will need to consider issues around migration and re-recording of data. LAs where language data is not currently being collected will need to consider how this process will be implemented.
ii) By Autumn term 2006:
LAs will need to ensure that their schools are collecting pupil language data during the Autumn Term 2006 and to ensure that all schools have recorded data on pupil’s first language for all pupils on roll in time for the January 2007 Census collection and for all Common Transfer File (CTF) after January 2007.
Timeline (18.9KB) - This document is a timeline for the suggested schedule for the implementation of language data collection.
Pupil Language Data Guidance Document (Word 345KB)
This guidance to support the collection of first language data follows public consultation which took place in 2005 and subsequent further consultation with interested respondents. It has been released to support the data collection and recording processes for the School Census.
Supplementary Language Guidance (Word 89.1KB)
Following publication of the Pupil Language Data Guidance in Summer 2006, the Department was asked if it would also help those authorities and schools with a local need to collect other pupil language information. After consultation, including asking schools MI suppliers about making revisions to relevant areas of the Common Basic Data Set, this supplementary guidance has been issued about the recording of 'language type'.
Guidance on using the Language Categories (301KB) - This supplements sections 6 and 8 of the above guidance document on Pupil Language Data issued in March 2006. It provides additional information and advice on the collection and recording of language data and on the use of language categories including subsets.
Language Mapping (Excel 177.0KB) - This document is an extensive language mapping reference document giving variant names of languages with mappings to the new language categories, referred to in section 7 of the Pupil Language Data guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (Word 46.0KB)
We have written to the Directors of Children's Services informing them of new language data collection arrangements.
Letter to Directors of Children's Services
We have created two sample letters to Headteachers, telling them about the new arrangements: one for LAs which are already collecting detailed first language data, one for LAs which will be collecting detailed first language data for the first time. Arrangements for introducing the new system will vary between LAs, so we have indicated in red where the LA needs to insert details of their own arrangements.
Letter to Heads – Already Collecting (31KB)
Letter to Heads – First Time Collecting (31KB)
Guidance for Schools (53KB)
Model Letter to Parents and Translations
The following is a model letter for schools to send out to parents. Model Letter to Parents (28.5KB)
Translations in the most frequently spoken languages are available to download below. Schools that are having trouble identifying a parent’s language might find the following chart, produced by the Refugee Council, helpful. Refugee Council Language Identification Chart.
Guide to Countries and most widely spoken first languages (Excel 76.5KB) - This excel spreadsheet contains two worksheets, both of which contain the same information. However the first is ordered by country, and the second by continental region.
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