1. What you can do
  2. What are my rights as a parent?
  3. What should I do if a school asks for my child’s birth certificate or passport?
  4. What happens if I refuse to give my child’s nationality data?
  5. What if I have already given the school this information?

What you can do

Many people have already written to schools, sent us evidence of their school’s forms and shared their experiences via the #BoycottSchoolCensus hashtag, but we still need your help.

  1. Write to MPs and your local councillors to voice your concerns about the data collection.
  2. Share the ABC website and our concerns with other families, inform them about the national boycott and ask them to join.
  3. Sign up to the Against Borders for Children Newsletter to keep informed of the campaign.
  4. Contact us if you want to volunteer or get support to promote the boycott in your area
  5. Use our template letter to raise your concerns with your child’s school, teachers, staff and governors.
  6. Write to your local Councillors & MP to express your concerns, again we have a template for that.

What are my rights as a parent?

There is no legal obligation to supply this information. It was confirmed in the Lords on Wednesday October 12th 2016 by the government spokesperson that there is no sanction for parents or schools who choose not to provide country of birth and nationality data in the census. Schools should inform parents of their right to choose not to participate in the nationality collection.

What should I do if a school asks for my child’s birth certificate or passport?

You do not have to show this. The government’s own advice says that this is not necessary. We would suggest that you do not show any identity documents for the purposes of the school census.

What happens if I refuse to give my child’s nationality data?

Schools are obliged to record on the census that the child’s information has not been gained. However the school has three options, they can say “Not yet known”, “Not yet obtained” or “refused”. Therefore as a parent it is important to try to work with staff to agree what option the school enters in the census.

What if I have already given the school this information?

You can seek to retract nationality/COB data submitted. We would suggest you do this immediately as schools may take time to process this request. You can use our template letter.