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Ascription

About ascription

In UK schools, information about pupils' ethnic backgrounds is collected by law and used to monitor progress and achievement. It is a statutory requirement that all schools collect ethnicity (ascription) data for every child.

Parents have the right to decide whether or not to give this information to the school; the school cannot make an ascription decision for a family without the family's consent. It is advised that schools offer support to parents to help them understand why they are being asked to provide the information.

The Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) service works with schools to encourage GRT families to ascribe correctly to their ethnicity.

Why is this important?

  • It is important to collect ascription data is because it is used to monitor the progress and achievement of different groups of pupils to make sure none is disadvantaged.
  • Pupils' ethnicity is recorded at their parent's discretion, but vague or inaccurate ascription can mean that pupils may not receive their full entitlement to support.
  • Correct ascription can provide GRT families with access to dual registration and the use of the T code, which is used to authorise absences under specific circumstances. These benefits may be particularly relevant to many GRT families (see below).
  • If a GRT child lives in a house, they still retain their cultural identity and ethnicity though it is quite easy for these children to remain invisible.
  • Data held on cohort sizes for children from Gypsy and Roma backgrounds (WROM, WROG, WROR, WROO)* or Travellers of Irish heritage (WIRT)* generally present much lower numbers than local knowledge suggests is the true picture. Some GRT families may choose to ascribe as White British (WBRI), Irish (WIRI) or possibly White Other (WOTH) if they are of Eastern European Roma heritage. This can mean it is difficult for schools to accurately identify all their GRT pupils.

* See below for definitions.

What's in it for GRT children, families, school and the local authority (LA)?

  • Parents can dual register their child/children at two schools. This can be helpful if the family spends the summer season living and working elsewhere and want their child to carry on attending school while they're away. Dual registration means the child will have a place at the same school each year.
  • Schools can use the T code to authorise the child's absences from school due to travelling for work purposes.
  • For those schools with Showman children, they can be encouraged to use WBRI or WOTH and add Showman in brackets. Although Showman are do not have ethnic status they are then registered as occupational travellers and are able to use the T code.
  • GRT culture and history can be shared and celebrated as part of the diverse mix of the school.
  • Schools are in a position to foster close relationships with GRT parents and children through having a better understanding of the culture and lifestyle of their GRT communities.
  • Schools can support GRT children to experience happy and successful learning through having confidence in their personal and family identity while feeling part of the school community.
  • Through a better understanding of GRT culture schools are able to tackle sensitively incidents of racism and bullying that may arise towards GRT children.
  • Schools and local authorities will comply with their duties under the Equality Act (2010).

Ethnicity Codes for GRT pupils

WROM

This category includes pupils who identify themselves as Gypsies and Roma. It includes all children of a Gypsy ethnic background or Roma ethnic background, irrespective of whether they are nomadic, semi nomadic or living in static accommodation. It should not include Showmen children, the children travelling with circuses or the children of New Travellers unless their ethnic status is that which is mentioned above. Schools would use this where parents do not wish to identify Gypsy and Roma pupils separately.

DfE extended code: WROM
Approved category: Gypsy / Roma
DfE main code: WROM
Sub-category: Gypsy / Roma
Main category: White

WROG

This category enables the separate identification of Gypsy pupils. Gypsy refers to all pupils who identify themselves as Gypsies. This includes all children of a Gypsy ethnic background, irrespective of whether they are nomadic, semi-nomadic or living in static accommodation.

DfE extended code: WROG
Approved category: Gypsy
DfE main code: WROM
Sub-category: Gypsy/Roma
Main category: White

WROR

This category identifies the separate identification of Roma pupils. Roma refers to all pupils who identify themselves as Roma.

DfE extended code: WROR
Approved category: Roma
DfE main code: WROM
Sub-category: Gypsy/Roma
Main category: White

WROO

This category is for Gypsy/Roma who do not identify with one or the other of the above pupils with mixed Gypsy/Roma heritage.

DfE extended code: WROO
Approved category: Other Gypsy/Roma
DfE main code: WROM
Sub-category: Gypsy/Roma
Main category: White

WIRT

DfE extended code: WIRT
Approved category: Traveller of Irish heritage
DfE main code: WIRT
Sub-category: Traveller of Irish heritage
Main category: White