HC Deb 18 March 2002 vol 382 cc108-9W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) whether the group she identifies as young people at risk of becoming lost to the system includes children educated otherwise than at school; and whether she expects Pupil Level Annual Schools Census and the Connexions Service to capture all young people; [42133]

(2) what information is collected (a) through the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census and (b) through the Connexions service about children educated otherwise than at school; and by what statutory authority that information is collected. [42388]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 11 March 2002]: We do not consider all young people educated otherwise than at school to be at risk of dropping out of learning, although some may be vulnerable—for example those who have been excluded from school and are receiving home tuition.

We want to offer the Connexions Service to all young people, although they will not be compelled to use it.

The Learning and Skills Act 2000 enables LEAs to supply information to Connexions partnerships. Currently LEAs are the channel of communication between Connexions partnerships and those in home education. Information other than contact information is processed with the informed consent of the young person or parent where appropriate.

The Pupil Level Annual Schools Census currently covers pupils in maintained primary, secondary and special schools and city technology colleges only. It does not therefore cover all young people, and not children educated otherwise than at school.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether(a) maintained and (b) independent schools are required to collect information for the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census; and if she will list the information required. [42143]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 11 March 2002]: The Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC) became a statutory requirement for all maintained primary, secondary and special schools and city technology colleges from January 2002. Maintained and direct grant nursery schools, non-maintained special schools, general hospital schools, Pupil Referral Units and independent schools are required to submit a School Level Annual Schools Census (SLASC) return containing pupil information in the form of school totals only.

Under PLASC, the following information is collected for each pupil on the school's register on the Census day:

  • Unique pupil number (UPN)
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Home postcode
  • Date of entry to this school
  • National curriculum year group
  • Full-time/part-time indicator
  • Boarder status
  • Nursery class/other class indicator
  • Ethnic group
  • Mother tongue
  • Free school meals eligibility
  • Special educational needs (i.e. stage on SEN Code of Practice scale)
  • Courses of study (for post-16 pupils only).

The following information is collected for each pupil permanently excluded from the school during the previous school year:

  • UPN
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Date of exclusion
  • Ethnic group
  • Stage on SEN Code of Practice scale (at the time of exclusion).

Both PLASC and SLASC collect information in the form of school totals on teaching and non-teaching staff. PLASC also collects information on classes as taught at class level as a snapshot at a specified time on the Census day.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the schools which piloted PLASC under SI, 1999, No 989. [42334]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 11 March 2002]: The schools scheduled to pilot the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) under SI 1999 No. 989 were listed in schedule 1 to those regulations. A list of those schools has been placed in the Library.

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