Brent Council - INFORMATION REQUEST

Our Reference: 562704
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Dear Mr. Walker

Thank you for your request for information received on 3 December 2009. We
aim to respond to your request within 20 working days.

However, whilst we may send the formal notification of the decision to the
email address you have provided we will not send the information requested
to that address. This is because we are aware that doing so will
automatically result in the information being published on the
whatdotheyknow website. Publication of information in this way may
constitute an unauthorised re-use (under the Re-use of Public Sector
Information Regulations 2005) and may infringe copyright. I would therefore
be grateful if you will provide me with an alternative disclosure address.
This can be a postal address, fax number or an email address, as long as it
does not result in automatic publication and re-use.

If you wish to apply for permission to re-use any of the requested
information you may do so by writing to the IT Standards Manager at Brent
Council, Floor 5, 349-357 High Road, Wembley HA9 6BZ , telephone 020 8937
1402, e-mail [Brent Borough Council request email]

If you wish to appeal against the requirement to provide an alternative
disclosure address you can do so by writing to the IT Standards Manager at
the address given above.

You also have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner. However,
the Information Commissioner will not normally consider an appeal until you
have exhausted your rights of redress and complaint to the Council. The
Information Commissioner can be contacted as follows: Information
Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9
5AF; Telephone: 01625 545 700, www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Stephen F Williams,
For Brent ITU
[email address]

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The use of Brent Council's e-mail system may be monitored and communications read in order to secure effective operation of the system and other lawful purposes.

Brent Council - INFORMATION REQUEST

Our Reference: 562704
====================================================

Dear Mr. Walker,

Your request for information has now been considered and the information
requested is enclosed. You asked:

1) What evidence is there that schools¿ equal opportunity policies
are effective in combating racism?

and

3) Can you provide me with any evidence that the measures listed
above have been effective (if this has not already been done)?

¿ Race equality policies are in place and monitored by the School
Improvement Services through an audit process. All schools are audited on a
rolling programme.
¿ The local authority monitors incidents of racism and data from schools
shows that there are few on an annual basis. Schools have a duty to monitor
incidents of racism.
¿ Ofsted inspections on Brent schools report favourably on the harmonious
nature of Brent schools. Since the community cohesion duty has been placed
on schools (2008), many Brent schools have received ¿outstanding¿ or ¿good¿
in this area.

2) What are schools in your area doing to promote racial equality
and promote community cohesion? Examples of measures deemed to be
good practice and recognised as being successful would be useful.

¿ Brent is one of the most culturally diverse boroughs in the UK. As a
result, the promotion of race equality and community cohesion is of great
importance to our schools.
¿ All Brent schools have race equality policies in place.
¿ Through the curriculum, schools promote community cohesion. For example,
festivals from different cultures are celebrated, the history of different
cultures is incorporated (Black History month) and poetry from a variety of
cultures is explored.
¿ The Religious Education syllabus in Brent helps to promote community
cohesion through pupils learning about different faiths and religions.
¿ Through Citizenship, schools promote racial equality, tolerance and
greater understanding of peers from different faiths and backgrounds. In
many schools the ¿pupil voice¿ facilitates pupils in leading the way to
combat racism and promote community cohesion.
¿ Many schools hold specific events to promote race equality and community
cohesion. For example, international evenings are held in many schools.
These give pupils and parents a greater understanding of different cultures.

¿ Events are held which bring pupils from different schools and cultures
together to learn about each others¿ backgrounds. For example, an event was
held recently in which pupils from five secondary schools had a learning day
together; the pupils were from very different cultural backgrounds.
¿ The local authority holds conferences which schools attend. For example,
conferences on tackling racist bullying, to promote community cohesion and
to promote more understanding of specific communities, such as the Somali
community.

4) Are further measures required to either maintain trust in the
teaching profession or protect children and young people?

We do not have a recorded position on this question.

Please note that the information provided may be subject to copyright and
you may require further permission from the Council to re-use it. If you
require further guidance please write to the IT Standards Manager (contact
details below).

If you are dissatisfied with the response or how the Council has handled
your request you can complain to the Council by writing to the following
address: IT Standards Manager at Brent Council,Floor 5, 349-357 High Road,
Wembley HA9 6BZ, telephone 020 8937 1402, e-mail [Brent Borough Council request email]. It is the
Council's policy to ensure that, where practicable, your complaint is dealt
with by someone who was not involved in the original decision.

You also have a right of appeal about our decision to the Information
Commissioner, however, the Information Commissioner will not normally
consider an appeal until you have exhausted your rights of redress and
complaint to the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted as
follows:
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire SK9 5AF; Telephone: 01625 545 700,
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
As part of our commitment to improve our service to our customers we would
welcome any feedback on the way that we have dealt with your request.

Yours sincerely

Stephen F Williams,
DPA & FOI Consultant
[email address]
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The use of Brent Council's e-mail system may be monitored and communications read in order to secure effective operation of the system and other lawful purposes.