Dear Sir or Madam,

I Read with interest the The case of the Headteacher been sent for
" Race awareness training " Could you please answer the following

1)What is it

2)Who authorises it and is it compulsory

3 Why does it have to be done at all

4)What is the total cost to the ratepayers of Leeds

Does it apply to all employers regardless of race or coulor

In particular do you send employers of ethnic minority on courses
to learn about been British and our culture

Yours faithfully,

Dear Mr Taylor

I refer to the above and your e-mail dated 29 June, received by us on 30
June, regarding diversity training, the content of which has been noted.
Education Leeds will respond to your request on behalf of Leeds City
Council.

Your request is governed by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and has
been passed to me to deal with on this basis. At this stage it is too
early for us to confirm whether or not we hold the information you have
requested. However, we will inform you of the outcome of our deliberations
as soon as possible. In any event, we will ensure that you either receive
the information or an explanation as to why this will not be provided by
no later than 28 July. This will be twenty working days from receipt of
your request, as set out under Section 10 of the above Act.

Depending on the estimated amount of time involved in locating and
retrieving the information we may have to refuse your request. This will
only arise if the total estimated cost of dealing with the above exceeds
the limit set by the government (£450 or 18 hours). We may, as an
alternative, issue you with a fees notice for the estimated cost if we
believe that we can provide the information on payment, within the
required twenty working day period. If this is the case the information
will not be provided until full payment has been received. I will clarify
which approach we are to adopt when I write to you next. Upon initial
examination of your request, I feel it is very unlikely any payment will
be required.

I trust that this is self explanatory although if you have any queries
then please don’t hesitate to contact me on Leeds (0113) 3950782, Jane
Sheehan on Leeds 2243615 or in writing by return email.

Kind regards

Nicola Palmer
Information Policy Access Officer
Information Management
Education Leeds
Tel: 0113 3950782
www.educationleeds.co.uk

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Education Leeds Limited is wholly owned by
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Registered Office: Merrion House (10th Floor East),
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Dear Mr Taylor

I refer to the above and your email dated 29 June. I have contacted the
relevant services and now provide the following response to your request
for information relating to race awareness training, which I will refer to
individually.

What is it?
Race awareness training ensures that all employees are aware of their
responsibilities under the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 and the Duty
to Promote Community Cohesion 2007 (the Acts).

Who authorises it and is it compulsory?
The above legislation ensures that it is compulsory for local authorities
and schools in particular to comply with requirements of the Acts. Schools
are also subject to audit by OfSTED to ensure compliance in this area.

Why does it have to be done at all?
This is necessary to ensure compliance with the Acts.

What is the total cost to the ratepayers of Leeds?
Any costs for professional development come from the individual school
budget, therefore we do not hold information relating to this part of your
request.

Does it apply to all employers regardless of race or colour?
Any training, subject to need, is available to both employers and
employees regardless of race or colour.

In particular do you send employers of ethnic minority on courses to learn
about been British and our culture?
It is a duty of the local authority and school to comply with the Acts and
the Acts are designed to ensure that the diversity of British culture is
acknowledged, valued and celebrated.

I hope this information is useful to you, however, if you are dissatisfied
with this response then you have a right to appeal to an independent
officer within Education Leeds. On appeal, your request will be
re-examined and an assessment made as to whether the requirements of the
Act have been adhered to. Should you wish to follow this course of action
then please address your concerns in writing to Dr. Robert Langley,
Information Management, 10th Floor East, Merrion House, Leeds, LS2 8DT or
by email to [email address].

You also have a right under Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act
to ask the Information Commissioner to take a decision as to whether we
have met with our obligations under the Act. The Commissioner has made it
clear however that he expects all applicants to exhaust internal appeals
procedures prior to making such an application. Should you wish to contact
the Commissioner’s Office then you can write to the following address:
Office of the Information Commissioner,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow, Cheshire,
SK9 5AF.

You may also contact the Commissioner via his website at www.ico.gov.uk

I trust that this is self explanatory although if you have any queries
then please don’t hesitate to contact me on Leeds (0113) 3950782 or by
return email.

Kind Regards

Nicola Palmer
Information Policy Access Officer
Education Leeds
Tel: (0113) 3950782 (ext 50782)
Fax: (0113) 2475354 (ext 75354)
www.educationleeds.co.uk

The information contained in this message or any
of its attachments may be privileged and confidential
and intended for the exclusive use of the addressee.
If you have received this message in error, please notify
us at [email address] and
remove it from your system. Failure to comply with this
may lead to a breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Education Leeds Limited is wholly owned by
Leeds City Council, registered in England No. 4155758.
Registered Office: Merrion House (10th Floor East),
110 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8DR.