EVERY person counts

Dear reader

We’re just a few weeks away from this year’s census – the most important survey of the way we live.

The census takes place every ten years, and Census 2021 is on March 21. This huge survey creates the most accurate picture of all the people and households in England and Wales.

Like every one before it, Census 2021 is vital because understanding who lives in an area helps the planning and funding of public services and support to meet local people’s particular needs – from housing to healthcare. Getting this support right is now more important than ever amid the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The high-quality evidence it captures helps to inform decision making by central government and local authorities in areas such as housing, education, healthcare, transport and leisure. Charities can also use census findings to see who needs help where.

This year’s census is the first ‘digital’ census, and most people are expected to complete it online. Householders will be sent an access code in the post, which they use to get into their census form online.

The survey only takes around ten minutes per person to complete and can be done on a laptop, mobile phone or tablet. Information you give is kept securely and remains anonymous for 100 years.

You’ll be asked simple questions about yourself, those in your household, and your home. This year, for the first time, there are voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for those aged 16 and over.

The census is straightforward to fill out, but remember that it’s also compulsory, and failure to take part could land you a fine of up to £1,000.

Guidance is available in other languages and those who aren’t able to complete it at home can get help via the Census 2021 phone service or at a census support centre (the centres will only open where it’s safe to do so and are subject to Covid-19 rules).

So look out for your access code in the post and do the census to help ensure your community gets the services it needs. Adam Moss

Editor

PLANS for a village primary school have been approved in principle by the Department for Education.

The application to create the free school in Kibworth was submitted by the Discovery Schools Academy Trust, which said it will help to deal with the increasing demand for primary places in the area.

Kibworth Primary School, which is part of the trust, is over-subscribed.

The school will be named Cibbaeus, derived from Cybba, thought to be a Celtic king, after whom ‘Kibworth’ is named.

A trust spokesman said: “Discovery Trust is delighted to announce that an application to establish a new primary free school in the Kibworth locality has moved to an in principle stage with the Department for Education new school programme.”

If given the final go-ahead, the school is set to open in September 2023, at a location to be announced.

“It will cater for up to 420 pupils, including provision for pre-school and children with autistic spectrum conditions.

Paul Stone, trust leader of Discovery Trust, said: “From its initial inception, it is our founding belief the new school should be rooted in the community and be reflective of the Kibworth’s unique history and character.

“If the new school is approved, we will work with all stakeholders and listen to their views to ensure we create a high-quality community school that the locality deserves.

“Discovery successfully opened Fossebrook Primary School in Leicester Forest East in 2015 which Ofsted judged to be a good school with outstanding features. “This experience of opening a school will help to ensure that this new school in Kibworth is opened successfully and the community will be the heart of decision making.”

There are 13-member schools of Discovery Trust, located throughout the county, including in Leicester, Melton, Market Harborough, Loughborough and Enderby.

The trust said that Leicestershire County Council backs the plans.

Free schools are funded by the government but are not run by the local authority.

If given the final go-ahead, the school is set to open in September 2023 and cater for up to 420 pupils.