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Children: Databases

Answer

Unique pupil numbers (UPN) are used to facilitate the tracking of pupils' movement and progress within the maintained school system in England. The number is allocated to each pupil according to a nationally specified formula on their first entry to school and is a unique identifier, which is intended to remain with them throughout their school career.The unique learner number (ULN) is a 10-digit identifier which is allocated by the Learning and Skills Council to pupils in schools in England in year 9 as they approach their 14th birthday. Pupils will retain the same ULN for accessing details of their education and skills participation and achievement through and beyond their post-14 school career.The Department currently holds all of the UPNs and ULNs it has collected via the School Census in the Department's national pupil database (NPD). The NPD is a longitudinal database, containing pupil and student characteristic information from the School Census, matched to attainment data at each key stage. The data held in the NPD is used to monitor achievement and participation in the education sector and also to inform, influence and improve education research and education policy. The information currently held in the NPD allows for the tracking of pupil attainment at key stage 5 with their achievement back to key stage 1.Our retention policy, including archiving data with the national archive, is currently being developed as part of gaining accreditation to ISO 27001.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

507 c364-5W; 319610

Session

2009-10

Subjects

Children Databases Personal records Pupils Students

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk