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'Information' is the essential, prescribed numerical and textual
information, that is authorised for collection and sharing with schools and
LEAs for the purposes of developing, implementing, or evaluating Government
policy and for meeting statutory requirements.
What is the Information Management Strategy?
The DfES' Information Management Strategy (IMS) responds to the need to
improve the ways in which management information about schools, teachers and
their pupils is defined, processed and used as part of raising standards.
The strategy is set out in the Framework for Action agreed by Ministers in
March 2000.
The IMS vision is that essential management information will be routinely
held, shared, and used electronically by all schools to underpin high
quality leadership and learning. Electronic management information will be
part of day-to-day school business, and will help to raise educational
standards.
The IMS aim is to contribute to raising standards by making significant
and tangible improvements in the way that information about pupils and
maintained schools in England is defined, collected, analysed, shared, and
used.
What is in the Strategy?
There are 10 objectives in the Framework for Action. These are:
 | controlling data collection |
| rationalising information databases and usage
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| electronic data collection and transfer standards
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| clarifying roles and responsibilities
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| adding value to management information
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| management information and related ICT competencies
and qualifications |
| specifying data requirements |
| school and LEA software and hardware standards
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| technical and software support standards in schools
and LEAs |
| managing change |
They focus on controlling and defining the information collected from
schools, clarifying remits for all concerned, managing and using information
electronically, and setting common standards for ICT systems, support and
training. Each objective has a series of tasks linked to a broad timetable.
The strategy was developed in consultation with partners.
Who is progressing and implementing the strategy?
There is a small core team at the DfES working with both internal and
external partners, including LEA seconded staff to deliver a series of
linked projects. There is a rapid implementation group (RIG) of 50+
education authorities helping with the detailed development and delivery of
key elements of the Strategy.
What are the linked projects?
| Common Basic Data Sets (CBDS)
This area of work will define the CBDS and include pupil, adult,
establishment and LEA data that should be held in school management
information systems. It provides the foundation for other IMS and will
develop over time. Since January 2001 CBDS data has been collected as a
part of the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) return. |
| Competence
This area of work will provide schools with a framework of
competencies for assessing current skill levels and training needs. It
will offer possible training solutions and will influence training and
development initiatives. It will also be linked with qualifications. A
report has been published for action, after consultation with teacher
associations and others. |
| Data Rationalisation
This area of work reinforces the 'gatekeeper' role of the group in the
DfES (the Star Chamber) which controls DfES data collection. It aims to
minimise data demands on schools and LEAs and to eradicate duplicate and
redundant data collection. It involves working with partners such as
Ofsted and QCA and has so far saved an estimated 20,000 hours of school
and LEA time. Rochdale LEA has a
Data Management Group working on rationalisation across the LEA.
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| IMS Framework
Common standards for transferring data between different systems and
sites have been agreed with suppliers and a timetable has been prepared
for their development. It has opened up the scope of National Grid for
Learning (NGfL) and other funding sources to management ICT. It has
ensured that IMS principles are included in the inspection of schools and
LEAs and has established a rapid implementation group of 50 LEAs and one
Education Action Zone (EAZ). |
| Database Rationalisation
There are currently three major sources of core school information (names,
addresses etc.) at the DfES and these are to be aligned. A single new
national pupil database has been established and its use is increasing. |
| Modernising Data Collection
This area of work is to radically change the way in which the DfES'
Data Collection Group operates and will ensure that the DfES connects
effectively with data providers. It has provided options for the
electronic collection of data from schools and LEAs and it has piloted
web-based collection of data. |
| E-Communications
This area of work looks at encouraging electronic communications
through better, more accessible websites. It has links with wider
activities to streamline school administration. |
For further information direct from the DfES there is a dedicated
DfES IMS web site.
Data Protection Registration
Under the
Data Protection
Act 1998
all schools processing personal data must comply with the
eight
enforceable principles of good practice.
Data must be:
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fairly and lawfully
processed |
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processed
for limited purposes |
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adequate,
relevant and not excessive |
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accurate |
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not kept
longer than necessary |
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processed
in accordance with the data subject’s rights |
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secure |
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not
transferred to other countries without adequate protection. |
To comply with these
principles every school must notify under the Act.
Failure to
notify is a criminal offence.
An application for notification can be made either via the
Information
Commissioner's website or by telephoning the Notification Department on
01625 545740. The notification fee for one year is £35 and annual reminders
will be sent to schools.
Schools should be particularly wary of
unsolicited data protection requests as there are a number of unscrupulous
firms offering services in this area.
Any school
requiring further information or advice on Data Protection Issues is asked
to contact the EDIT Team or to refer to
Teachernet.
A copy of the material soon to be published
to every school is available here. |
