FOI Request - Racism in Local Schools

Request 101002646532

1. Does the council compile the number of racism complaints recorded by local schools?
1.1 If not, when did the council stop compiling figures of racism complaints recorded by local schools?
1.2 Does the council now record data on racist incidents in local schools by other means? If so, please specify how they are collated.
1.3 Does the council now only record data on racist incidents in some local schools, e.g. only primary or only secondary schools?

2. How many complaints of racism did local schools report to the council in each of the last five school years? (Please provide the total number of complaints recorded by all schools, i.e the aggregate per year, not the figures for each school.)

2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21 (to date)

2.1 How many local schools reported racism complaints to the council in each of the past five years?

2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21 (to date)

2.2 If a council document, e.g. a spreadsheet or a report, already exists that lists the racism complaints recorded by named local schools for some or all of the above years please provide a copy of it.

3. If the council no longer records data on the number of racist incidents in local schools, what measures does it take to ensure that schools are robustly addressing racism?
3.1 What does the most recent guidance that the council has issued to local schools about how they should record racist incidents say?

4. Has the council conducted or commissioned any research into the prevalence of racism in local schools in the past five years?
4.1 If so, please provide a copy of the research, including its findings, or the report it is contained in.

5. Does the council have a current action plan/strategic plan to address race equality and racism in schools?
5.1 If so, please provide a copy of this plan.

Response 18.12.20

1. Yes

1.1. N/A

1.2. Complaints are recorded in a form outlining time, date, people involved (if willing to be named), a description of what happened/was said, how it was dealt with and if victim wants any further action to be taken.
The forms are gradually being replaced by entries on SEEMIS, giving similar information.

1.3. We record on incidents in primary and secondary schools.

2.

2016-17: 18
2017-18: 26
2018-19: 16
2019-20: 13
2020-21 (to date) - total 7 incidents reported (perceived reason being race and racism including culture).

2.1.

2016-17: 5
2017-18: 11
2018-19: 13
2019-20: 9
2020-21: 5 (to date)

2.2.

The information is transferred to a spreadsheet for statistical analysis and for identifying if someone is repeatedly targeting or being targeted by racial abuse. We are unable to release the full spreadsheet as it contains personal information, so is therefore exempt under Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
The headings of the spreadsheet are:

Date; School Year; Location; reported by; school/Service; primary/secondary; nature of incident; protected group; Describe what happened; What Action has been taken; Follow-up; Victim; Perpetrator(s).

3. N/A
3.1 Please see following link: https://secure.moray.gov.uk/interchange/secure/docs/pandplib/ES_Education%20and%20Social%20Care/EqualIncidentMonitorGuide.pdf

4. Yes
4.1 See bullying survey results located here.
5. No
5.1 N/A.