Ethnicity
Our ethnic background describes how we think of ourselves. This may be based on many things, including, for example, our skin colour, language, culture, ancestry, or family history.
Ethnic background is not the same as nationality or country of birth. The Information Commissioner (formerly the Data Protection Registrar) has recommended that young people aged over 11 years old have the opportunity to decide their own ethnic identity.
Parents, or those with parental responsibility, are asked to support or advise those children aged over 11 in making this decision, wherever necessary. Pupils aged 16 or over can make this decision for themselves.
Any information you provide will be used to compile statistics on the school careers and experiences of pupils from different ethnic backgrounds. The information will be passed on to the Local Authority and the Department for Education (DfE) to contribute to local and national statistics, and to help ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. The information will also be passed on to future schools, to save it having to be asked for again.