Schools’ legal duty under the Equality Act 2010.

All schools in England, Wales and Scotland, irrespective of how they are funded or managed, have obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Schools must demonstrate that they are showing ‘due regard’ for the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations.

Protected Characteristics : RACE

Race is one of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. In the Equality Act 2010, race can mean your colour, or your nationality (including your citizenship). It can also mean your ethnic or national origins, which may not be the same as your current nationality. Race also covers ethnic and racial groups. This means a group of people who all share the same protected characteristic of ethnicity or race.

Definition of a Racist Incident

"A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the person who has been harmed (V) or any other person."

Annual Return

Remember that the Annual School Return of racist incidents is to be completed by 26th September 2024.

Reporting of Racist Incidents

Definition of Racist Incident
"A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the person who has been harmed (V) or any other person."
The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report 1999

Racial incident reporting was one of the key recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence Enquiry report. An online form is available on the secure area of the IRIS to report racist incidents to the local authority as and when they occur. The form can be accessed via the button marked ‘Log on’ on the right of this page.

The reporting of racist incidents helps schools:

to demonstrate that they are showing ‘due regard’ for the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations (requirements under the Equality Act 2010)
to demonstrate that they are serious about ensuring that all pupils feel safe (an important aspect in the Ofsted framework)
to regularly analyse the recorded information to identify trends or patterns regarding the nature of incidents, who is involved and where incidents are happening.
to identify potential cases of racist bullying by tracking incidents between particular pupils.
to take action to address any issues which may be specific to the school as a whole, or to a particular year group.
to contribute to reassuring families that incidents are seen to be fully investigated and actions have been taken.
to allow the Local Authority to offer support to schools where there are higher than average levels of incidents

Whilst schools may wish to record name/UPN of pupils involved for their own records, this information is not collected by the local authority.

Multicultural Development Team

Telford & Wrekin Council
Darby House
Floor 6, Wing A
Lawn Central
Telford
TF3 4JA
TEL: (01952) 380828

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Multicultural Development Team

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The Annual Return

The Annual Return to the LA allows the authority to maintain accurate and up-to-date records in relation to racist incidents. These returns are vital in enabling the authority to fulfil its statutory duties and support schools by having an overview of racial harassment incidents and trends. IRIS forms are considered confidential between the school and the Local Authority. It is good practice because it allows for

a more proactive response to incidents of racial harassment
the monitoring of occurrences on a geographical basis
the accurate identification and targeting of areas for specific support.

Statistical information may be extracted from school returns, in aggregated form, for reports to committees and external agencies. No other details will be released externally, except in exceptional circumstances, and then only following consultation with the school. The information you submit is not drawn up into comparative league tables. The information gained from IRIS returns is also used to inform the authority's overall strategy on embracing diversity and promoting community cohesion.