§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has for the continuation of ethnic monitoring of school pupils following the consultation exercise earlier this year. [1975]
§ Mrs. GillanOur consultations of future arrangements for ethnic monitoring of school pupils produced a clear consensus for improving the usefulness of monitoring while reducing the burden on schools. We have therefore decided to cease the existing separate ethnic monitoring surveys and introduce instead a combination of approaches. First, the 1996 schools census will include simple new questions about the ethnic backgrounds of pupils. The three new questions will cover: the total number of ethnic minority pupils in each school; the names of the largest groups; and the total number of pupils for whom English is a second language. More detailed questions will be developed for inclusion in the 1997 schools census. Secondly, Ofsted will monitor the progress of ethnic minority pupils in individual schools, as part of its regular inspection process. Thirdly, research will be undertaken where necessary to investigate particular issues in depth. Details of the new arrangements were sent to local authorities and schools in September.