Data Dissemination

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Our aim is to bring maximum value to our customers and their stakeholders by giving them access to the knowledge contained within their data and empowering them to make informed decisions.

The effective dissemination of information is an essential part of this goal. The approach we adopt for each project depends upon the target audience, their level of understanding of the data, and the ultimate objective of the project. This may involve:

  • Alerting users to areas which require attention by employing benchmarking, and more sophisticated statistical techniques, to bring context to the information and enable patterns to be identified.
  • Empowering users to extract knowledge by providing them with facilities to interact with the data.
  • Leveraging the full value of centrally provided data by combining it with key information only available at a local level. 
  • Presenting data using a range of powerful, yet accessible, methods.

Demonstrated Data Dissemination Success

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Using data to improve school performance (Ofsted and DCSF)


RM Data Solutions developed an online system called RAISEonline for Ofsted and the DCSF. It is at the heart of school performance improvement and is the main source of data and analyses for both school self evaluation and the inspection process.

A complete set of detailed pupil attainment reports for key stages 1 to 4, linked to information on pupil characteristics, is distributed through RAISEonline each year. The system is used by over 22,000 schools and 3,000 inspectors.

Distributing large volumes of data to a sizeable user base is of little value in itself.

Users are given access to powerful analyses ranging from simple performance indicator reports to contextualised analyses of pupil progress (CVA). This information is presented in a variety of charts and tables designed to inspire confidence in using data and to encourage users to make full use of the information it contains.

Schools are provided with the ability to drill down into the data to identify areas where improvements can be made.

Using data to improve local authority performance (NCER)


EPAS is an online system developed by RM Data Solutions in partnership with a consortium of local authorities. It is used by every local authority in England, the Channel Islands and the Service School Authorities. EPAS' main role is to support local authority staff and school improvement partners in driving forward LA and school performance improvement.

A complete set of detailed pupil attainment between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 5, linked to information on pupil characteristics and geodemographic details, is provided to NCER members through EPAS,

Some of EPAS’ particular strengths are:

  • Encouraging best practice by enabling comparison to be made between different groups of pupils and schools. For example it allows schools performance in an individual subject to be compared between similar school both within and outside of a LA’s boundary.
  • Enabling vulnerable groups of pupils to be focussed on by incorporating locally held data into the database.
  • Providing the ability to extend key detail analyses to a wide range of users without compromising data protection
  • Allowing users to complete flexibility in interacting with the data through filtering, grouping an aggregating data.

Using OLAP cubes for ad hoc interactive data analysis (DCSF)


On behalf of the DCSF Data Warehouse Team and Local Statistics Unit, RM Data Solutions has recently delivered an interactive web-based system for tabulating and charting Key Stage 4 attainment data. The system allows users to define their own views of the data, being able to analyse a range of Key Stage 4 measures and cross-tabulate them by a range of pupil characteristics and geographical variables simply by “dragging and dropping” data items onto the page.

In terms of benefits to the customer, the system:

  • Allows users to query the data however they wish, through filtering and grouping, without any knowledge of a query language
  • Allows users to drill-down into the data using hierarchical variables, e.g. by drilling down from analysis presented at Government Office level to local authority level to ward level
  • Can potentially lead to savings in time responding to queries from ministers and the press.

Using data to encourage school collaboration (DCSF)


Families of Schools (FoS) is a project operating in a number of Urban areas in England to encourage similar schools to work together to raise attainment and share best practice. Schools are grouped into families on the basis of the characteristics of their pupils.

RM Data Solutions provides a range of analyses showing pupil characteristics, overall attainment, and attainment in different subjects, which is presented to schools both in hard copy and through a web site. There are plans to increase the range of analyses in the online version, giving schools the flexibility to create their own families.

Families of Schools gives schools the opportunity to:

  • Compare their performance with schools with similar intakes in their area
  • Identify where best practice is taking place
  • Work collaboratively to raise attainment by encouraging networking among teaching professionals.

 
 

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