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.
System update
21 March 2023
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 improvements:
-
Bug fixes and fine-tuning to improve the overall user experience, including:
- pagination issue when navigating to last page
- search term text box behaviour when using the browser back button
- download LA name code data in ZIP format
- glossary formatting
- no effective date set from bulk update establishments tool
- bulk update instructions - LA field name is incorrect
- rename DfE service reference of the School Performance service to Find and Compare School and College Data in England (FSCP)
- add MSOA & LSOA pop-up message on the tool tip
Further information
Office for National Statistics (ONS) update
The following fields have been updated this month (where required) following the March 2023 update of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data:
- District
- Ward
- Parliamentary constituency
- Urban/rural description
- Middle super output area (MSOA)
- Lower super output area (LSOA)
Cumbria, North Yorkshire, and Somerset local government reorganisations (LGRs) 01/04/2023
We posted a note on this news page on 03/03/2023 around the local government reorganisations so if you need to know any more information, please review that post.
Kind regards
GIAS support team
System update
3 March 2023
Important information
In this news release:
- The upcoming Office for National Statistics (ONS) geo spatial updates.
- The local government reorganisation for Cumbria local authority.
- The local government reorganisation for North Yorkshire.
- The local government reorganisation for Somerset.
1. Office for National Statistics (ONS) updates
An update to the geo spatial fields that are updated from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will be undertaken shortly.
The relevant fields are:
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
- administrative district name
- administrative district code
- ward name
- ward code
- parliamentary constituency name
- parliamentary constituency code
- urban/rural description name
- urban/rural description code
- middle super output area (MSOA) name
- middle super output area (MSOA) code
- lower super output area (LSOA) name
- lower super output area (LSOA) code
We will let users know once this work has been completed.
2. Local government reorganisation (LGR) for Cumbria local authority (LA) on Saturday 01/04/2023
Background
Following the Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (opens in new tab) the existing Cumbria county council local authority (LA) will cease to exist on Friday 31/03/2023 and will be replaced with the following two new unitary local authorities:
- Cumberland
- Westmorland and Furness
on Saturday 01/04/2023.
What users need to be aware of for Get Information about Schools (GIAS)
The three digit Get Information about Schools (GIAS) local authority (LA) code number
This will trigger changes to the Get Information about Schools (GIAS) three-digit local authority (LA) code number for the establishments that will be at the following status on Saturday 01/04/2023:
- proposed to open
- open
- open, but proposed to close
The below table sets out the new GIAS three-digit local authority (LA) code number for the two new Cumbria local authorities:
| New local authority (LA) name | New GIAS local authority (LA) code number |
|---|---|
| Cumberland | 942 |
| Westmorland and Furness | 943 |
Any establishments that close on Friday 31/03/2023 or before will retain the existing GIAS local authority (LA) name (Cumbria) and GIAS local authority (LA) code number (909).
The Department for Education (DfE) number (also known as the local authority (LA) establishment (estab) number)
The Department for Education (DfE) number (also known as the local authority (LA) establishment (estab) number) will change. This is because it is made up of the GIAS local authority (LA) code number (the first three digits) and the establishment number (the last four digits). As the local authority (LA) code number is changing this will be reflected in the DfE number.
For example, 909 1234 would become either 942 1234 or 943 1234 depending on the new local authority the establishment is assigned to.
The establishment (estab) number (the last 4 digits) will not change.
The geospatial and location data
The underlying geospatial and location information from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will also need to be updated on the GIAS service.
From the 01/04/2023 the following fields will have been updated and reflect the new local authorities:
- local authority name
- GIAS local authority (LA) code number
- DfE number
The following fields will have X999999 in them until the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their revised data, which will reflect the changes to Cumbria, and it can be uploaded into GIAS:
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
The following fields will have unknown and 9999 in them respectively until the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their revised data, which will reflect the changes to Cumbria, and it can be uploaded into GIAS:
- administrative district name
- administrative district code
Once the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their post local government reorganisation data we will do a service wide update for the following fields where required:
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
- administrative district name
- administrative district code
- ward name
- ward code
- parliamentary constituency name
- parliamentary constituency code
- urban/rural description name
- urban/rural description code
- middle super output area (MSOA) name
- middle super output area (MSOA) code
- lower super output area (LSOA) name
- lower super output area (LSOA) code
We will give notice to users when this is going to happen and confirm once it has.
How has the split of establishments been derived?
The two new local authorities (LAs) have been divided using the current administrative districts.
The table below shows all the division and relevant current and new associated name, numbers, and codes.
| Current local authority (LA) name | Current GIAS local authority (LA) code number | Current Office for National Statistics (ONS) Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code | Current administrative district name | Current administrative district code | New local authority (LA) name | New GIAS local authority (LA) code | New Office for National Statistics (ONS) Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (provisional) | New administrative district name (provisional) | New administrative district code (provisional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumbria | 909 | E10000006 | Allerdale | E07000026 | Cumberland | 942 | E06000063 | Cumberland | E06000063 |
| Cumbria | 909 | E10000006 | Carlisle | E07000028 | Cumberland | 942 | E06000063 | Cumberland | E06000063 |
| Cumbria | 909 | E10000006 | Copeland | E07000029 | Cumberland | 942 | E06000063 | Cumberland | E06000063 |
| Cumbria | 909 | E10000006 | Barrow-in-Furness | E07000027 | Westmorland and Furness | 943 | E06000064 | Westmorland and Furness | E06000064 |
| Cumbria | 909 | E10000006 | Eden | E07000030 | Westmorland and Furness | 943 | E06000064 | Westmorland and Furness | E06000064 |
| Cumbria | 909 | E10000006 | South Lakeland | E07000031 | Westmorland and Furness | 943 | E06000064 | Westmorland and Furness | E06000064 |
When will the changes be made?
Currently we are planning to start to make the changes from 4.00pm on Friday 31/03/2023. We advise all establishment users to have completed any updates in the system they need to before 2.00pm on Friday 31/03/2023.
Changes made to GIAS are reflected in the following day's downloads and extracts, for example, changes made on 1st May will be included in the downloads and extracts of 2nd May. We are making the local government reorganisation changes from 4.00pm on Friday 31st March, therefore the changes to Cumbria and the addition of two new local authorities will be included in the downloads and extracts for 1st April.
DfE Sign-in (DSI)
Anyone from the new Cumbria local authorities and establishments who uses DfE Sign-in (DSI) to access GIAS will not be able to do so until 1.00pm on Monday 03/04/2023.
If there is going to be a delay a banner will be added to the DSI site and the public version of GIAS with an update.
If you have any questions for DSI please use the contact us form (opens in a new tab).
3. Local government reorganisation (LGR) for North Yorkshire local authority (LA) on Saturday 01/04/2023
Background
Following the North Yorkshire (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (opens in new tab) the existing North Yorkshire county council local authority will cease to exist on Friday 31/03/2023 and will be replaced with an unitary local authority on Saturday 01/04/2023.
What users need to be aware of for Get Information about Schools (GIAS)
The three digit Get Information about Schools (GIAS) local authority (LA) code number
- this will remain the same
The below table shows the details of North Yorkshire local authority in GIAS:
| Local authority (LA) name | GIAS local authority (LA) code number |
|---|---|
| North Yorkshire | 815 |
The Department for Education (DfE) number (also known as the local authority (LA) establishment (estab) number)
The Department for Education (DfE) number (also known as the local authority (LA) establishment (estab) number) will not change as the local authority (LA) code number for North Yorkshire is not changing.
The geospatial and location data
The underlying geospatial and location information from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will need to be updated on the GIAS service.
The following fields will have X999999 in them until the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their revised data, which will reflect the changes to North Yorkshire, and it can be uploaded into GIAS:
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
The following fields will have unknown and 9999 in them respectively until the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their revised data, which will reflect the changes to North Yorkshire, and it can be uploaded into GIAS:
- administrative district name
- administrative district code
Once the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their post local government reorganisation data we will do a service wide update for the following fields where required:
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
- administrative district name
- administrative district code
- ward name
- ward code
- parliamentary constituency name
- parliamentary constituency code
- urban/rural description name
- urban/rural description code
- middle super output area (MSOA) name
- middle super output area (MSOA) code
- lower super output area (LSOA) name
- lower super output area (LSOA) code
We will give notice to users when this is going to happen and confirm once it has.
How will the key columns of data be changed?
The table below shows all the relevant current and new associated name, numbers, and codes.
| Current local authority (LA) name | Current GIAS local authority (LA) code number | Current Office for National Statistics (ONS) Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code | Current administrative district name | Current administrative district code | New Office for National Statistics (ONS) Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (provisional) | New administrative district name (provisional) | New administrative district code (provisional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Yorkshire | 815 | E10000023 | Craven | E07000163 | E06000065 | North Yorkshire | E06000065 |
| North Yorkshire | 815 | E10000023 | Hambleton | E07000164 | E06000065 | North Yorkshire | E06000065 |
| North Yorkshire | 815 | E10000023 | Harrogate | E07000165 | E06000065 | North Yorkshire | E06000065 |
| North Yorkshire | 815 | E10000023 | Richmondshire | E07000166 | E06000065 | North Yorkshire | E06000065 |
| North Yorkshire | 815 | E10000023 | Ryedale | E07000167 | E06000065 | North Yorkshire | E06000065 |
| North Yorkshire | 815 | E10000023 | Scarborough | E07000168 | E06000065 | North Yorkshire | E06000065 |
| North Yorkshire | 815 | E10000023 | Selby | E07000169 | E06000065 | North Yorkshire | E06000065 |
When will the changes be made?
Currently we are planning to start to make the changes from 4.00pm on Friday 31/03/2023. We advise all users to have completed any updates in the system they need to before 2.00pm on Friday 31/03/2023.
Changes made to GIAS are reflected in the following day’s downloads and extracts, for example, changes made on 1st May will be included in the downloads and extracts of 2nd May. We are making the local government reorganisation changes from 4.00pm on Friday 31st March, therefore the changes to North Yorkshire will be included in the downloads and extracts for 1st April.
4. Local government reorganisation (LGR) for Somerset local authority (LA) on Saturday 01/04/2023
Background
Following the Somerset (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (opens in new tab) the existing Somerset county council local authority will cease to exist on Friday 31/03/2023 and will be replaced with an unitary local authority on Saturday 01/04/2023.
What users need to be aware of for Get Information about Schools (GIAS)
The three digit Get Information about Schools (GIAS) local authority (LA) code number
- this will remain the same
The below table shows the details of Somerset local authority in GIAS:
| Local authority (LA) name | GIAS local authority (LA) code number |
|---|---|
| Somerset | 933 |
The Department for Education (DfE) number (also known as the local authority (LA) establishment (estab) number)
The Department for Education (DfE) number (also known as the local authority (LA) establishment (estab) number) will not change as the local authority (LA) code number for Somerset is not changing.
The geospatial and location data
The underlying geospatial and location information from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will need to be updated on the GIAS service.
The following fields will have X999999 in them until the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their revised data, which will reflect the changes to Somerset, and it can be uploaded into GIAS:
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
The following fields will have unknown and 9999 in them respectively until the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their revised data, which will reflect the changes to Somerset, and it can be uploaded into GIAS:
- administrative district name
- administrative district code
Once the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish their post local government reorganisation data we will do a service wide update for the following fields where required:
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) name
- Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (also known as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) local authority (LA) number) code
- administrative district name
- administrative district code
- ward name
- ward code
- parliamentary constituency name
- parliamentary constituency code
- urban/rural description name
- urban/rural description code
- middle super output area (MSOA) name
- middle super output area (MSOA) code
- lower super output area (LSOA) name
- lower super output area (LSOA) code
We will give notice to users when this is going to happen and confirm once it has.
How will the key columns of data be changed?
The table below shows all the relevant current and new associated name, numbers, and codes.
| Current local authority (LA) name | Current GIAS local authority (LA) code number | Current Office for National Statistics (ONS) Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code | Current administrative district name | Current administrative district code | New Office for National Statistics (ONS) Government Statistical Service (GSS) local authority (LA) code (provisional) | New administrative district name (provisional) | New administrative district code (provisional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 933 | E10000027 | Somerset West and Taunton | E07000246 | E06000066 | Somerset | E06000066 |
| Somerset | 933 | E10000027 | South Somerset | E07000189 | E06000066 | Somerset | E06000066 |
| Somerset | 933 | E10000027 | Sedgemoor | E07000188 | E06000066 | Somerset | E06000066 |
| Somerset | 933 | E10000027 | Mendip | E07000187 | E06000066 | Somerset | E06000066 |
When will the changes be made?
Currently we are planning to start to make the changes from 4.00pm on Friday 31/03/2023. We advise all users to have completed any updates in the system they need to before 2.00pm on Friday 31/03/2023.
Changes made to GIAS are reflected in the following day's downloads and extracts, for example, changes made on 1st May will be included in the downloads and extracts of 2nd May. We are making the local government reorganisation changes from 4.00pm on Friday 31st March, therefore the changes to Somerset will be included in the downloads and extracts for 1st April.
Kind Regards
GIAS support team