§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the small number of children identified as "Traveller of Irish Heritage" and "Gypsy Roma" in the Department for Education and Skills London Challenge Families of Schools survey, they will review the methodology of the Pupil Level Annual School Census to ensure that Gypsy and Irish Traveller pupils are accurately enumerated. [HL184]
73WA
§ Lord FilkinThe Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC) collects individual pupil information for all pupils in primary, secondary and special schools, city technology colleges and academies. This includes information on pupils' ethnicity. Categories for Romany Gypsies and Travellers of Irish Heritage were introduced to PLASC in 2003.
Ethnic background is defined as sensitive personal data under data protection legislation. One of a number of conditions must be met before processing of sensitive personal data. The data subject (ie the pupil or their parent) can refuse to provide this information and cannot be pressed to provide it.
In 2004 there were almost 98,000 (or 1.4 per cent) in PLASC where information on ethnic origin was refused.
There are no current plans to review the methodology of the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census itself. However, the Department is planning to host discussion seminars with a selected number of LEAs and interested parties, including Traveller communites, to gain a more informed assessment of the reasons for the small number of children identified as Travellers of Irish Heritage or Gypsy/Roma. Additional good practice guidance on collecting ethnic background data from Traveller parents will be issued following these seminars.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish a table showing the number of children identified as "Traveller of Irish Heritage" and "Gypsy Roma" in the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census for 2003 and 2004 for each local education authority in England: [HL185]
§ Lord FilkinThe information requested has been placed in the Library.