Equality, diversity and inclusion annual report 2024

School information on the gender (male or female) and ethnicity of pupils, free school meals, special educational needs provision and exclusions is collected in the school census. This takes place in January each year. The data below shows the latest information from the January 2024 school census.

School pupils by gender

School pupils by ethnicity

The 2021 census data for Lincolnshire shows that 96.0% of the population are white compared to 89.0% of the population of children in Lincolnshire schools. Like last year 9.2% of children in school are black, Asian or ethnic minority background which is higher than the total population of Lincolnshire which is 4.1%.

School students eligible for free school meals

The number of students eligible for free school meals (FSM) has increased over the last four years by 6.3% points. In 2024, this was 26.6% of the school student population.

School students eligible for free school meals by gender

School students eligible for free school meals by ethnicity

A slightly higher proportion of male students are eligible for free school meals than female students.

For those where ethnicity is known and obtained mixed ethnicity students are more likely to be eligible for free school meals than other ethnic groups. There is a lower proportion of students eligible for free school meals from several ethnic groups than overall in the school student population.

Although the promotion of free school meals is equal to all residents, not all ethnic groups claim this benefit related entitlement equally.

School students receiving special educational needs provision

Special educational needs provision in schools includes education, health and care plans (EHCPs) and special educational needs (SEN) support.

The proportion of school students with either an education, health and care plan or special educational needs support has been increasing over the last four years.

School students receiving special educational needs (SEN) provision by gender

School students receiving special educational needs (SEN) provision by ethnicity 

There is a higher proportion of male students (63.8%) accessing SEN provision than females (36.2%) when compared to the total student population (males 51.0% and females 49.0%). Male students are 1.77 times more likely to access SEN provision than female students.

For those where ethnicity is known and obtained, White students are more likely to be receiving SEN provision (SEN support or Education, Health and Care plans) than students from other ethnic groups.

There is a lower proportion of students receiving SEN provision from all other ethnic minority backgrounds than in the school student population.

Further investigation is required to confirm whether this is affected by accessibility or whether all children requiring SEN provision are receiving the support required.