News

System updates for each development release, such as new functionality, features and bug fixes and other non development news items relating to Get Information about Schools (GIAS).

All news items show what was originally displayed at the time of publication, therefore some links in these news items may no longer work.

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System update
11 June 2025

An updated version of the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) service has been released to all users.

This release includes the following improvements:

  1. bug fixes, fine-tuning and changes to improve the overall user experience:
    1. 245105 – missing wording on screen for governance professional roles when saving record – add
    2. 251381 - governance professional error message incorrectly references chair of trustee during replacement – amend
    3. 247506 - duplicate error messages displayed for governance role trustee when invalid end date – amend
    4. 251132 – title field is visible only for newly added governance professional roles but not old/existing governance roles – add
    5. 250713 - governance professional – federation option – remove from pupil referral unit (PRU) establishment type – amend
    6. 258270 – governance title of not applicable displays on the governance screen – amend
    7. 251131 - not all field errors shown on top of the page while adding a governance role – add
    8. 249890 - service error is throwing when governance role is replaced in a secure single-academy trust (SSAT), multi-academy trust (MAT) and an academy – amend
    9. 249891 - N/A error is throwing when existing governance role is removed in a secure single-academy trust (SSAT) and multi-academy trust (MAT) when adding an end date – amend
    10. 247557 - server error is throwing when governance roles are replaced when only appointed body is selected and submitted – amend
    11. 248963 - able to add shared governance professionals to an academy trust without requiring any information, indicating missing validations – add
    12. 254188 – cannot add multiple shared chair of local governing body – group to multi-academy trust (MAT) records – amend
    13. 252648 - unable to add chair of governors after adding governance professional to a new local authority establishment – amend
    14. 260659 – re-instate button not displaying – amend
    15. 254445 – re-instate governors is not working for local authority-maintained schools – amend
    16. 258791 – re-instate as shared local governor, shared chair of local governing body not working – amend
    17. 261470 - the re-instate as a local governor button is greyed out for the chair of local governing body in an establishment linked to a multi-academy trust (MAT) – amend
    18. 256645 and 257251 - replace button functionality not working as expected for all establishment/group types where applicable for a governance role – amend
    19. 249573 - all governance roles can be added with a future date of appointment (should only be permitted with current or past date) – amend
    20. 260840 - not able to amend start of appointment date – amend
    21. 248298 - historic (left within the last 12 months) is not displayed on the governance tab in GIAS – add
    22. 247882 – amend governance roles email address more details text – update
    23. 258290 - governor appointing body id not updating through API – amend
    24. 236596 - investigate and fix SingleOrDefault, Null.Format, http and permissions exception – amend
    25. 248647 – rollback VUE Libraries – amend
    26. 249239 – update download establishment specific search for JavaScript and non JavaScript - amend
    27. 255138 - search establishment results has a double quote whereas search establishment groups and governor results has single quotes – amend
    28. 236948 - display GIAS banner-hyperlink as a clickable URL link – amend
    29. 247448 - failed extract error output message needs to be more informative – amend
    30. 248253 - service error is throwing when the establishment accredited field is set as blank on an online provider establishment type record – amend
    31. 241579 - error adding news article if date is not completed – amend (internal only)
    32. 257839 - hours and minutes fields not treated as mandatory in the schedule notification visibility for notification banner – amend (internal only)
    33. 247449 - server error is throwing in production environment when viewing logs is selected – amend (internal only)

    Users are not expected to need to take any specific action unless otherwise indicated.

    Further information

    • Office for National Statistics (ONS) updates 

      The update to the geo spatial fields that are updated quarterly from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has now taken place for the February update.

      The relevant fields updated (where appliable) are:

      1. Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
      2. Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
      3. administrative district name
      4. administrative district code
      5. ward name
      6. ward code
      7. parliamentary constituency name
      8. parliamentary constituency code
      9. urban/rural description name
      10. urban/rural description code
      11. middle super output area (MSOA) name
      12. middle super output area (MSOA) code
      13. lower super output area (LSOA) name
      14. lower super output area (LSOA) code

    The next quarterly update (May) will take place shortly.

    Regards

    GIAS support team



    System update
    6 June 2025

    We have reverted the system to the previous version so all the changes listed in the update on 04/06/2025 have been removed. We will provide an update when we will be releasing the changes shortly.

    System update
    4 June 2025

    An updated version of the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) service has been released to all users.

    This release includes the following improvements:

    1. bug fixes, fine-tuning and changes to improve the overall user experience:
      1. 245105 – missing wording on screen for governance professional roles when saving record – add
      2. 251381 - governance professional error message incorrectly references chair of trustee during replacement – amend
      3. 247506 - duplicate error messages displayed for governance role trustee when invalid end date – amend
      4. 251132 – title field is visible only for newly added governance professional roles but not old/existing governance roles – add
      5. 250713 - governance professional – federation option – remove from pupil referral unit (PRU) establishment type – amend
      6. 258270 – governance title of not applicable displays on the governance screen – amend
      7. 251131 - not all field errors shown on top of the page while adding a governance role – add
      8. 249890 - service error is throwing when governance role is replaced in a secure single-academy trust (SSAT), multi-academy trust (MAT) and an academy – amend
      9. 249891 - N/A error is throwing when existing governance role is removed in a secure single-academy trust (SSAT) and multi-academy trust (MAT) when adding an end date – amend
      10. 247557 - server error is throwing when governance roles are replaced when only appointed body is selected and submitted – amend
      11. 248963 - able to add shared governance professionals to an academy trust without requiring any information, indicating missing validations – add
      12. 254188 – cannot add multiple shared chair of local governing body – group to multi-academy trust (MAT) records – amend
      13. 252648 - unable to add chair of governors after adding governance professional to a new local authority establishment – amend
      14. 260659 – re-instate button not displaying – amend
      15. 254445 – re-instate governors is not working for local authority-maintained schools – amend
      16. 258791 – re-instate as shared local governor, shared chair of local governing body not working – amend
      17. 261470 - the re-instate as a local governor button is greyed out for the chair of local governing body in an establishment linked to a multi-academy trust (MAT) – amend
      18. 256645 and 257251 - replace button functionality not working as expected for all establishment/group types where applicable for a governance role – amend
      19. 249573 - all governance roles can be added with a future date of appointment (should only be permitted with current or past date) – amend
      20. 260840 - not able to amend start of appointment date – amend
      21. 248298 - historic (left within the last 12 months) is not displayed on the governance tab in GIAS – add
      22. 247882 – amend governance roles email address more details text – update
      23. 258290 - governor appointing body id not updating through API – amend
      24. 236596 - investigate and fix SingleOrDefault, Null.Format, http and permissions exception – amend
      25. 248647 – rollback VUE Libraries – amend
      26. 249239 – update download establishment specific search for JavaScript and non JavaScript - amend
      27. 255138 - search establishment results has a double quote whereas search establishment groups and governor results has single quotes – amend
      28. 236948 - display GIAS banner-hyperlink as a clickable URL link – amend
      29. 247448 - failed extract error output message needs to be more informative – amend
      30. 248253 - service error is throwing when the establishment accredited field is set as blank on an online provider establishment type record – amend
      31. 241579 - error adding news article if date is not completed – amend (internal only)
      32. 257839 - hours and minutes fields not treated as mandatory in the schedule notification visibility for notification banner – amend (internal only)
      33. 247449 - server error is throwing in production environment when viewing logs is selected – amend (internal only)

      Users are not expected to need to take any specific action unless otherwise indicated.

      Further information

      • Office for National Statistics (ONS) updates 

        The update to the geo spatial fields that are updated quarterly from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has now taken place for the February update.

        The relevant fields updated (where appliable) are:

        1. Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
        2. Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
        3. administrative district name
        4. administrative district code
        5. ward name
        6. ward code
        7. parliamentary constituency name
        8. parliamentary constituency code
        9. urban/rural description name
        10. urban/rural description code
        11. middle super output area (MSOA) name
        12. middle super output area (MSOA) code
        13. lower super output area (LSOA) name
        14. lower super output area (LSOA) code

      The next quarterly update (May) will take place shortly.

      Regards

      GIAS support team



      System update
      6 March 2025

      Parliamentary constituency changes following the July 2024 general election

      The parliamentary constituency changes were made as part of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) quarterly update in July 2024.

      The establishments have been reviewed and those that sit on a parliamentary constituency and assigned to a parliamentary constituency that does not match their postcode are listed in the table below.

      Table 1: Establishments that have been assigned a different parliamentary constituency to that which their postcode would attribute them to as they sit on a parliamentary constituency boundary

      URN Establishment name Postcode Parliamentary constituency code associated with postcode Parliamentary constituency name associated with postcode Parliamentary constituency code assigned to as on a parliamentary constituency boundary Parliamentary constituency name assigned to as on a parliamentary constituency boundary
      125961 Homefield Primary School BN11 2AA E14001599 Worthing West E14001218 East Worthing and Shoreham
      139619 Kanes Hill Primary School SO19 6FW E14001499 Southampton Itchen E14001220 Eastleigh
      140478 Townhill Infant School SO18 2FG E14001499 Southampton Itchen E14001220 Eastleigh
      138522 Ralph Allen School BA2 7AD E14001080 Bath E14001241 Frome and East Somerset
      140704 Chipstead Valley Primary School CR5 3BW E14001187 Croydon South E14001442 Reigate
      118716 Colliers Green Church of England Primary School TN17 2LR E14001555 Tunbridge Wells E14001570 Weald of Kent
      140795 Whitefield School E17 4AZ E14001563 Walthamstow E14001167 Chingford and Woodford Green
      144571 Earley St Peter's Church of England Primary School RG6 1EY E14001438 Reading Central E14001210 Earley and Woodley
      146362 Green Corridor TW19 6BS E14001505 Spelthorne E14001276 Hayes and Harlington
      102671 St John Fisher RC Primary School SW20 9NA E14001586 Wimbledon E14001371 Mitcham and Morden
      138364 Willow Brook Primary School Academy E10 7BH E14001334 Leyton and Wanstead E14001563 Walthamstow
      131249 Gardners Lane Primary School GL51 9JW E14001542 Tewkesbury E14001161 Cheltenham
      117555 Townsend Church of England School AL3 6DR E14001507 St Albans E14001268 Harpenden and Berkhamsted
      139517 St Thomas More Catholic School MK41 7UL E14001084 Bedford E14001384 North Bedfordshire
      143060 Burford Primary and Nursery School NG5 6FX E14001410 Nottingham East E14001245 Gedling
      130371 Ellesmere College LE3 2FD E14001364 Mid Leicestershire E14001328 Leicester West
      148905 Belgrave St Peter's CofE Primary School LE4 5PG E14001326 Leicester East E14001328 Leicester West
      120932 Magdalen Gates Primary School NR3 1NG E14001409 Norwich South E14001408 Norwich North
      142383 Westcroft School WV10 8NZ E14001594 Wolverhampton North East E14001523 Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
      143393 St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School WV4 5LG E14001316 Kingswinford and South Staffordshire E14001596 Wolverhampton West
      142288 Manor Academy Sale M33 5JX E14001528 Stretford and Urmston E14001065 Altrincham and Sale West
      138916 St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy BD7 3JT E14001120 Bradford West E14001119 Bradford South
      137512 Belthorn Academy Primary School BB1 2NY E14001450 Rossendale and Darwen E14001299 Hyndburn
      107938 Shakespeare Primary School LS9 7NP E14001323 Leeds South E14001320 Leeds East
      134658 Childwall Abbey School L16 5EY E14001337 Liverpool Garston E14001340 Liverpool Wavertree
      142600 St Thomas More Catholic Primary, A Voluntary Academy S35 8NN E14001466 Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough E14001423 Penistone and Stocksbridge
      141704 Greenacre School S70 6RG E14001075 Barnsley South E14001423 Penistone and Stocksbridge
      108206 Featherstone North Featherstone Junior and Infant School WF7 6LW E14001383 Normanton and Hemsworth E14001428 Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
      107090 Prince Edward Primary School S2 1EE E14001470 Sheffield South East E14001469 Sheffield Heeley
      107881 Otley the Whartons Primary School LS21 2BS E14001322 Leeds North West E14001475 Skipton and Ripon
      108757 Broadway Junior School SR4 8NW E14001295 Houghton and Sunderland South E14001531 Sunderland Central
      136479 Charles Read Academy NG33 4NT E14001253 Grantham and Bourne E14001458 Rutland and Stamford
      133298 The Davenport School CT13 0NY E14001282 Herne Bay and Sandwich E14001202 Dover and Deal
      141447 Cuddington Croft Primary School SM2 7NA E14001534 Sutton and Cheam E14001227 Epsom and Ewell
      139557 Lime Tree Primary School RH1 3LH E14001215 East Surrey E14001442 Reigate
      134605 The Quest School TN12 6PY E14001570 Weald of Kent E14001549 Tonbridge
      149715 London Park School Clapham SW4 9AH E14001527 Streatham and Croydon North E14001081 Battersea
      148250 Roundwood School and Community Centre NW10 3UN E14001122 Brent East E14001435 Queen's Park and Maida Vale
      131879 Risley Avenue Primary School N17 7AB E14001553 Tottenham E14001503 Southgate and Wood Green
      138334 The Gateway Primary Free School RM16 4LU E14001480 South Basildon and East Thurrock E14001546 Thurrock
      133114 The Gateway Academy RM16 4LU E14001480 South Basildon and East Thurrock E14001546 Thurrock
      147201 Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Birmingham B10 9HH E14001100 Birmingham Yardley E14001095 Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
      146701 Marlborough Primary School B10 9NY E14001100 Birmingham Yardley E14001096 Birmingham Ladywood
      121229 Aurora Eccles School NR16 2NZ E14001489 South Norfolk E14001365 Mid Norfolk
      141994 Longdon Park School DE65 6GU E14001195 Derbyshire Dales E14001483 South Derbyshire
      147371 Dane Bank Primary School SK5 6QG E14001517 Stockport E14001251 Gorton and Denton
      133262 Lakeside School L27 2YA E14001337 Liverpool Garston E14001317 Knowsley
      134913 Great Preston VC CofE Primary School LS26 8AR E14001464 Selby E14001320 Leeds East
      146219 Whitkirk Primary School LS15 0EU E14001323 Leeds South E14001320 Leeds East
      144493 The Academy of St Francis of Assisi L6 7UR E14001341 Liverpool West Derby E14001340 Liverpool Wavertree
      150121 Blackshaw Lane Primary & Nursery School OL2 6NT E14001415 Oldham East and Saddleworth E14001416 Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton

      Table 1 continued:

      Establishments that have been assigned a different parliamentary constituency to that which their postcode would attribute them to as they sit on a parliamentary constituency boundary

      URN Establishment name Postcode Parliamentary constituency code associated with postcode Parliamentary constituency name associated with postcode Parliamentary constituency code assigned to as on a parliamentary constituency boundary Parliamentary constituency name assigned to as on a parliamentary constituency boundary
      135633 Aim Habonim M7 4NX E14001145 Bury South E14001459 Salford
      119473 Euxton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School PR7 6JW E14001170 Chorley E14001491 South Ribble
      119676 St. Mary's Catholic Primary School Euxton PR7 6JW E14001170 Chorley E14001491 South Ribble
      138036 Tyldesley Primary School M29 7PY E14001329 Leigh and Atherton E14001598 Worsley and Eccles
      141555 OneSchool Global York Campus YO23 2QA E14001605 York Outer E14001604 York Central
      116019 Ranvilles Junior School PO14 3BN E14001233 Fareham and Waterlooville E14001263 Hamble Valley
      116028 Ranvilles Infant School PO14 3BN E14001233 Fareham and Waterlooville E14001263 Hamble Valley
      116607 Heathfield Special School PO14 3BN E14001233 Fareham and Waterlooville E14001263 Hamble Valley
      116618 St Francis Special School PO14 3BN E14001233 Fareham and Waterlooville E14001263 Hamble Valley
      116314 St John the Baptist Church of England Primary School SO32 2LY E14001263 Hamble Valley E14001587 Winchester
      102493 Lionel Primary School TW8 9QT E14001264 Hammersmith and Chiswick E14001124 Brentford and Isleworth
      100251 Sir Thomas Abney School N16 5ED E14001553 Tottenham E14001259 Hackney North and Stoke Newington
      101219 Warren Junior School RM6 6DA E14001189 Dagenham and Rainham E14001301 Ilford South
      101137 St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary School W2 5PR E14001310 Kensington and Bayswater E14001435 Queen's Park and Maida Vale
      102260 Shaftesbury High School HA3 6LE E14001270 Harrow East E14001454 Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
      102231 St Teresa's Catholic Primary School and Nursery HA3 6LE E14001270 Harrow East E14001454 Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
      115410 Holmwood House School CO3 9ST E14001176 Colchester E14001590 Witham
      104019 St Michael's Church of England High School B65 9AN E14001478 Smethwick E14001574 West Bromwich
      105861 Brownhill School OL12 0PZ E14001446 Rochdale E14001286 Heywood and Middleton North
      107969 Whingate Primary School LS12 3DS E14001325 Leeds West and Pudsey E14001324 Leeds South West and Morley
      106433 Garrett Hall Primary School M29 7EY E14001598 Worsley and Eccles E14001329 Leigh and Atherton
      108327 Bede Community Primary School NE10 0DJ E14001307 Jarrow and Gateshead East E14001244 Gateshead Central and Whickham
      108459 Benton Park Primary School NE7 7SS E14001378 Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend E14001379 Newcastle upon Tyne North
      108783 Willow Wood Community Primary School SR5 5AU E14001531 Sunderland Central E14001567 Washington and Gateshead South
      136784 Eaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary Academy CA13 0QY E14001583 Whitehaven and Workington E14001424 Penrith and Solway
      142458 Beechwood College CF64 5SE W07000110 Vale of Glamorgan W07000091 Cardiff South and Penarth
      138157 Grangewood School UB5 6GG E14001208 Ealing North E14001276 Hayes and Harlington
      135608 Aspire AP School 2 B66 3ND E14001098 Birmingham Perry Barr E14001093 Birmingham Erdington
      149156 Elm Tree Primary Academy WS10 0TB E14001547 Tipton and Wednesbury E14001478 Smethwick
      136237 The Alternative School BB5 1NT E14001142 Burnley E14001299 Hyndburn
      132741 The New Broadwalk PRU M27 8QL E14001598 Worsley and Eccles E14001459 Salford
      140486 Woodlands BL0 0QL E14001450 Rossendale and Darwen E14001598 Worsley and Eccles
      147980 Rosewood Independent School NE61 6DR E14001285 Hexham E14001107 Blyth and Ashington
      100550 Triangle Nursery School SW2 1PL E14001175 Clapham and Brixton Hill E14001205 Dulwich and West Norwood
      131910 Langdon College HA8 7LF E14001145 Bury South E14001279 Hendon
      109690 Biddenham International School and Sports College MK40 4AZ E14001384 North Bedfordshire E14001084 Bedford
      151014 Osidge Primary School N14 5HD E14001503 Southgate and Wood Green E14001169 Chipping Barnet
      149782 Northampton School NN3 7TR E14001407 Northampton South E14001192 Daventry
      131330 Red Balloon Learner Centre - Cambridge CB24 6DF E14001149 Cambridge E14001224 Ely and East Cambridgeshire
      134463 Oneschool Global Uk - Tewkesbury Campus GL20 7DG E14001248 Gloucester E14001542 Tewkesbury
      21744 Lansdowne Sure Start Children's Centre LE2 8BE E14001328 Leicester West E14001327 Leicester South
      148548 Bluecoat Trent Academy NG5 1AJ E14001411 Nottingham North and Kimberley E14001410 Nottingham East
      20112 ARNBROOK Children's Centre NG5 8NE E14001245 Gedling E14001411 Nottingham North and Kimberley
      20113 ARNOLD Children's Centre NG5 8NE E14001245 Gedling E14001411 Nottingham North and Kimberley
      21667 KILLISICK Children's Centre NG5 8NE E14001245 Gedling E14001411 Nottingham North and Kimberley
      148561 Trinity Academy St. Edwards S70 6FP E14001074 Barnsley North E14001075 Barnsley South
      105276 Thomasson Memorial School BL3 3LA E14001112 Bolton West E14001111 Bolton South and Walkden
      150813 Forefield Community Infant and Nursery School L23 9SL E14001463 Sefton Central E14001113 Bootle
      148195 Harrison College DN4 5HZ E14000668 Doncaster Central E14001198 Doncaster Central
      150227 Falinge Park High School OL12 6LD E14001446 Rochdale E14001286 Heywood and Middleton North
      23421 Villages East Children's Centre LS26 8AR E14001464 Selby E14001320 Leeds East
      146646 SMS Changing Lives School OL9 9XA E14001352 Manchester Central E14001416 Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
      140133 Hawthorns School SK14 6PJ E14001070 Ashton-under-Lyne E14001515 Stalybridge and Hyde

      This is for information only and users are not expected to need to take any specific action.

      System update
      4 February 2025

      An updated version of the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) service has been released to all users.

      This release includes the following improvement:

      1. fine-tuning and bug fixes to improve the overall user experience:
        1. 245102 - Remove extra space between the number and the location on the search results page
        2. 245101 - Fix error thrown when attempting to update an establishment's joined date to a value in the past relative to the academy sponsor's start date
        3. 237539 - Add Clarity cookie policy to service
        4. 237057 - Integrate Clarity with GIAS

      Users are not expected to need to take any specific action unless otherwise indicated.

      Kind regards

      GIAS support team

      System update
      28 January 2025

      An updated version of the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) service has been released to all users.

      This release includes the following improvement:

      1. fine-tuning and bug fixes to improve the overall user experience:
        1. 239401 - Unable to open a MAT record when converted from SAT when have governance professional role present
        2. 240825 - Associated establishment not visible once converted from SAT to MAT when governance records present
        3. 240388 - Ofsted rating field is visible in the search - filter on the left-hand side of the screen and should not be
        4. 203163 - Update existing governance guidance with secure 16-19 academies and secure single-academy trusts (SSATs) and governance professionals’ information
        5. 237208 - Investigate and fix System.ArgumentException

        Users are not expected to need to take any specific action unless otherwise indicated.

        Further information

        • Yearly update of data from the underlying data of the schools, pupils and their characteristics statistical publication 2024

          The yearly update of data from the underlying data of the schools, pupils and their characteristics statistical publication has now been completed.

          The fields that were updated are the:

          1. total number of pupils
          2. total number of boys
          3. total number of girls
          4. number of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM)
          5. percentage of children eligible for free school meals (FSM)

        • Yearly update of data from the school level annual school census (SLASC) 2024 for independent schools only

          The yearly update of data from the school level annual school census (SLASC) data collection independent schools only has now been completed.

          The fields that were updated (where applicable) are:

          1. street
          2. locality
          3. address3
          4. town
          5. county
          6. postcode
          7. establishment name
          8. head first name
          9. head last name
          10. head title
          11. number of pupils
          12. number of special pupils under a special educational needs (SEN) statement/education, health and care (EHC) plan
          13. number of special pupils not under a special educational needs (SEN) statement/education, health and care (EHC) plan

        • Office for National Statistics (ONS) quarterly updates

          The update to the geo spatial fields that are updated quarterly from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has now taken place for the August update and the November update.

          The relevant fields updated (where appliable) are:

          1. Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
          2. Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
          3. administrative district name
          4. administrative district code
          5. ward name
          6. ward code
          7. parliamentary constituency name
          1. parliamentary constituency code
          2. urban/rural description name
          3. urban/rural description code
          4. middle super output area (MSOA) name
          5. middle super output area (MSOA) code
          6. lower super output area (LSOA) name
          7. lower super output area (LSOA) code

        The next quarterly update will take place shortly.

        Regards

        GIAS support team



        System update
        21 January 2025

        An updated version of the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) service has been released to all users. You do not need to take any specific action unless otherwise indicated below.

        This release includes the following bug fix:

        1. V4.59.1 > V4.59 release issue > Restore the field Date of last Ofsted visit for IEBT tab from backup – administrative field for the DfE independent schools’ team only

        Kind regards

        GIAS support team

        System update
        15 January 2025

        An updated version of the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) service has been released to all users.

        This release includes:

        1. Removal of Ofsted data from GIAS
        2. New features
        3. Bug fixes and fine tuning to improve overall user experience

        1. Removal of Ofsted data from GIAS

        Following the Secretary of State’s announcement that, from September 2024, inspections of state-funded schools will no longer include an overall effectiveness judgement, the GIAS service has made the following changes to the existing Ofsted fields in GIAS:

        • Removed the rating (code and name) fields
        • Removed the Ofsted last inspection field
        • Renamed the Ofsted report link field to Ofsted rating and reports (the hyperlink to the Ofsted website for the establishment will remain on the user interface (UI) so users can access this directly from GIAS if they wish to)

        All fields are no longer be present in the:

        • Various search and filter pages, and subsequent results, including for individual establishments
        • Bulk update tool
        • Public downloads
        • Non-public downloads
        • SOAP based API functionality, including the ‘Get’ and extract methods

        Users will need to take action if they are using any of these methods for their services/products/analytical or delivery purposes/etc.

        This approach has been agreed with Ofsted.

        The following, no longer used fields have been removed from the public and non-public downloads and the API functionality (including the ‘Get’ and extract method):

        • Ofsted special measures (code and name) fields

        For reference appendix A shows all the relevant service development tickets for this work.

        2. New features

        • Added a new governance role called governance professional for those establishments and academy trusts that legislation states must supply governance information to the Department for Education (DfE).
        Establishment / group typeApplicable role(s)
        Local authority-maintained school – not in a federationGovernance professional to a local authority-maintained school
        Local authority-maintained school – in a federationGovernance professional to a federation
        Academy or free school in a multi-academy trust (MAT) with local governors onlyLocal governance professional to an individual academy or free school
        Academy or free school in a multi-academy trust (MAT) with shared governors onlyShared governance professional - establishment
        Academy or free school in a multi-academy trust (MAT) with local and shared governorsLocal governance professional to an individual academy or free school

        or

        Shared governance professional - establishment
        Single-academy trust (SAT) (establishment level record)Governance professional to a single-academy trust (SAT)
        Multi-academy trust (MAT)Governance professional to a multi-academy trust (MAT)

        and (if required)

        Shared governance professional - group

        Secure single-academy trust (SSAT)Governance professional to a secure single-academy trust (SSAT)

        For reference appendix B shows all the relevant service development tickets for this feature.

        Users may need to take action as this is a new governance role although it is part of the existing functionality.

        3. Bug fixes and fine-tuning to improve the overall user experience

        • Removed validation that automatically assigns a sixth form to independent schools if they have children of 16 years of age or more.
        • Completed general updates to improve the performance of extracts.
        • Added friendly user messages where the governance searches are taking longer to reassure users that a search result will occur, and if not clearly state this.
        • Completed content updates for consistency in the governance search and filter.
        • Allowed shared governance roles at establishment level to be searched for through all search options.
        • Made the governance role and term of office identifier (GID) visible.
        • Changed to the non-public governance downloads so the correct shared governance roles are displayed.
        Download nameChanges
        All governance data non publicAdded the following roles:

        Shared chair of local governing body – group

        Shared chair of local governing body – establishment

        Shared local governor - group

        Shared local governor – establishment
        All academy governance records (non-public)Added the following roles:

        Shared chair of local governing body – establishment

        Shared local governor – establishment

        Please note the new governance professional roles have been added to the appropriate public and non-public governance extracts also.

        Due to the above changes and the addition of the new governance role (governance professional) users will therefore see an overall increase in result numbers immediately and as the new governance professional roles are added to records.

        • Updated Gov.Notify emails for service exceptions and failures.
        • Completed technical improvements for the service and administrative purposes.

        For reference appendix C shows all the relevant service development tickets for this work.

        Regards

        GIAS support team



        Appendix A: Removal of Ofsted data from GIAS

        The following are the relevant service development tickets for reference:

        • 232199 - Remove the Ofsted rating and last inspection date fields
        • 232202 - Remove the Ofsted rating, last inspection date and Ofsted special measures (where applicable) fields from the scheduled extracts
        • 232200 - Remove the Ofsted rating, last inspection date and Ofsted special measures fields from the SOAP service XSD
        • 232468 - Remove the Ofsted rating and last inspection date fields from the bulk update establishments tool
        • 234873 - Remove the Ofsted rating, last inspection date and Ofsted special measures (where applicable) fields from the public downloads
        • 232608 - Remove the Ofsted rating and last inspection date fields from the establishment bulk update guidance
        • 232329 – Amend the wording for the Ofsted hyperlink to, ‘Rating and reports’ and add information text

        Appendix B: New features

        The following are the relevant service development tickets for reference:

        • 132829 - Use existing add governance role functionality as far as possible
        • 132830 - Apply validation of specific roles to specific establishment types
        • 132831 - Apply validation for only one governance professional at a time to the backend code
        • 133953 - Set the appointed by field for governance professional to N/A in the database tables
        • 132894 - Add governance professional to the bottom of the drop-down option list on the user interface
        • 132800 - Ensure view mode for a public (non-logged in) user matches the UED
        • 132799 - Ensure view mode for a logged-in user matches the UED
        • 132812 - Ensure the user interface field names and order match the UED and are mapped to the relevant database field name
        • 132809 - Ensure the governance role identifier (GID) field is visible for all governance roles and records (terms of office) including governance professional
        • 135237 - Removal of edit rules for live and historic records
        • 135249 - Make the GID visible and spell out

        (referenced under bug fixes and fine tuning to improve overall user experience also)

        • 135232 - Edit rules follow existing rules
        • 135234 – User interface (UI) edit screen design
        • 135235 - Edit and remove functionality to reflect current functionality for live and historic records
        • 135238 - Use existing functionality for adding governance professional to a group
        • 135243 - Governance professional types possible for the MAT
        • 143327 - Governance professional minimum fields required
        • 135242 – Layout and content on UI and in database - logged in
        • 135247 - Public user view of layout and content
        • 135248 - Logged in user view of layout and content
        • 135250 - Edit permissions for governance professional on groups follows existing rules
        • 135251 - Group UI matches user interface in edit mode for layout and content
        • 135252 - Edit reflects current live and historic record functionality
        • 135253 - Replicate removing functionality for live and historic records
        • 146233 - Downloads - all local authority-maintained governance records non public
        • 146230 - Downloads - all academy records non public
        • 146036 - Downloads - all multi academy trust governance
        • 146035 - Downloads - all academy governance records
        • 146034 - Downloads - all local authority (LA) maintained governance records download
        • 146033 - Downloads - governor field download
        • 132827 - Apply validation to the governance professional role from the front end and middle tier code
        • 135239 - Validation for the governance professional
        • 162525 - Searches - able to search by the GID for live and historic records
        • 146227 - Downloads - all governance data non public
        • 162523 - Searches - governance professional on name or role filter
        • 162543 - Searches - all governors search option for live and historic records
        • 162545 - Searches - name or role and governance professional type in searches
        • 173959 - Searches - establishment and group governance change history download for governance professionals on old backend
        • 173960 - Searches - establishment and group download governance change history for governance professionals
        • 173961 - Searches - establishment and group governance change history for governance professionals on old Edubase backend
        • 162546 - Searches - establishment and group governance change history download for governance professionals on old backend
        • 162524 - Searches - governance professional to appear in historic searches
        • 193395 - Governance professional to a secure single-academy trust (SSAT)
        • 162554 - Bulk governance update template contains governance professional roles
        • 135244 - Governance professional for establishments in a MAT - local or shared
        • 132830 - Apply validation of specific roles to specific establishment types
        • 191037 - Bulk update tool, validating governance professional role by establishment or group type
        • 162522 - Extracts - new governance roles
        • 153564 - Users must not be able to enter an appointment date before a former appointment ended date
        • 191487 - Governance professional to a single-academy trust (SAT)
        • 205763 - Governance professional - staff roles
        • 194036 - Capitalisation of staff role names
        • 195888 - Shared governor professional governor to a MAT - remove appointment date and date appointment ended
        • 232829 - Governance professionals display consistent sharing information for governance roles in GIAS
        • 232251 - All governance data non-public extract - shared governance professionals - establishment individual's information not showing
        • 234889 - All governance data non-public extract - shared governance professionals - group governance roles not showing
        • 232256 - Extract - all academy governance records (non-public) extract - shared governance professionals - establishment individual's information not showing
        • 232259 - Extract - ESFA_CRM_Governance_Download extract - shared governance professionals - establishment individual's information not showing
        • 231735 - Cannot search for a shared governance professional - establishment on role or name
        • 232502 - Date validation is happening at establishment level while adding shared local governor against governance professional
        • 232249 - Extract - governor fields public extract - shared governance professionals - establishment individual's name not showing
        • 231938 - Extract - all academy governance records public extract - shared governance professionals - establishment individual's name not showing
        • 220832 - Cannot create two live governance professional roles to a local authority-maintained school indent line highlighting wrong role in drop down option box
        • 223255 - Drop down option list - governance professional for a secure single-academy trust (SSAT) needs renaming
        • 222655 - Drop down option list - governance professional for a single-academy trust (SAT) needs renaming
        • 222656 - Search for governors - filter - governance professional to a local authority-maintained school
        • 222657 - Search for governors - filter - shared governance professional - establishment – amend
        • 222658 - Search for governors - filter - shared governance professional - group – amend
        • 220831 - Local authority-maintained school governance professional role historic and live records can be created with overlapping dates
        • 222589 - Same issues for a live governance professional role when removing a local authority-maintained school from a federation for the user interface visibility, editing and the change history
        • 222574 - Live governance professional to a local authority-maintained school is not visible, and therefore editable on the establishment record when it has been added to a federation
        • 222576 - Historic left within the last 12 months governance professional to a local authority-maintained school is not visible, and therefore editable on the establishment record when it has been added to a federation
        • 222580 - Where a live governance professional to a local authority-maintained school has transferred over cannot add a governance professional to a federation
        • 222582 - The change history is correct but has a reference to removal of the governance professional(s) to a local authority-maintained school which it should not
        • 222593 - Same issues for a historic left within the last 12 months governance professional role when removing a local authority-maintained school from a federation for the user interface visibility, editing and the change history
        • 223175 - Governance professional to a single-academy trust (SAT) role historic and live records can be created with overlapping dates
        • 223706 - MAT - establishment level - this establishment shares local governors with other academies in the trust option selected allows overlapping dates
        • 223702 - MAT - establishment level - this establishment has local governors, not shared governors option selected allows overlapping dates
        • 223699 - MAT - establishment level - this establishment has local governors and also shares governors with other academies in the trust option selected allows overlapping dates
        • 230911 - Governance sharing: has local governor and shared governors - when selecting shared governance professional - establishment should not need to add appointment end date
        • 231733 - Need to be able to add multiple shared governance professional - group at the MAT record level
        • 230908 - Naming conventions use dash instead of to a for governance professional
        • 236176 - Historic - shared governance professional - establishment - change date and error message come up

        Appendix C: Bug fixes and fine tuning to improve overall user experience

        The following are the relevant service development tickets:

        • 189508 - Other independent schools – remove the validation linking the high age range and official sixth form fields and automatically assigning official sixth form if high age range is 16 years of age or above
        • 189577 - Improve the performance of the extract generation process
        • 215376 - Granular HTTP request timeouts from the C#, to allow governor search API requests longer than other requests generally
        • 206466 - Friendly message to be displayed in GIAS for governors’ search results and when delays occur
        • 210658 - Search results for governors’ error message in GIAS
        • 225218 - Search for governors - filter - member - individual amend to make case consistent
        • 225221 - Search for governors - filter - member - organisation amend to make case consistent
        • 135249 - Make the GID visible and spell out as governor identifier

        (referenced under governance professional new feature also)

        • 236122 – Update governance extracts missing shared governance roles
        • 194750 - Scheduled extract failure email
        • 206833 - Add environment to email template for exceptions
        • 217880 - NuGet packages – part 1 (updates and patches)
        • 221867 - NuGet packages – part 2
        • 217881 - NPM packages – part 1 working (updates and patches)
        • 227829 - Vue Migration
        • 227833 – Polly
        • 230268 - GovUK-Frontend
        • 235765 - System.Text.Json vulnerability
        • 220917 - User in SOAP service is not identifiable
        • 194023 - Move HttpClient code from DownloadsController
        • 198726 - Add debouncing to the search suggestions
        • 208253 - Error code lookup

        System update
        8 January 2025

        Version 4.59 which was postponed on Tuesday 10/12/2025 will now be released at 6.00pm on Wednesday 15/01/2025. Please see the system update for December 06, 2024, for details of what will be in the release.

        Kind regards

        GIAS support team

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