Earlier this year the University of Bath conducted research to pilot tools to support schools in identifying and collecting disability data. This research was developed in response to previous research conducted in 2008.
This work with volunteer schools has informed the development of a toolkit schools may find helpful in identifying and collecting information on all their disabled pupils.
The research found that collecting robust and consistent disability information can help schools better identify and respond to the needs of their disabled pupils, in addition to supporting schools in meeting their duties under disability and equality legislation.
The 2011 School Census also enables schools to submit information on disability as well as special educational needs. Schools can choose to provide disability data voluntarily in the school census. You can find details of the census by searching for 'School Census 2011' on this website.
The toolkit comprises a
- questionnaire that can be distributed to parents to help schools identify disabled pupils and their individual needs
- range of flexible tools for schools to use with pupils, which can be matched to meeting the individual needs of disabled pupils.
