Friday 23rd September 2011    Hello I hope you have all settled back into the school year and no doubt you will have spent considerable time already reviewing your school's results for 2011. This newsletter is to provide you with information on the changes that are happening to School Data and how it is being used by schools, OFSTED inspectors and the DfE. It is usually only circulated to those who have asked to be added to the circulation list, but this issue, which is focused on RAISEonline, has been sent to all schools because of its relevance. However if you would like to receive our half termly Data Newsletter on an ongoing basis, or if you have a colleague, Headteacher or data manager, who would like to be added to our regular circulation list please let me know at andy.best@cocentra.com New look and feel RAISEonline site On the evening of 27 September, this Tuesday, a new RAISEonline site is being launched which it is hoped will be easier to use and more intuitive. The screen shots we have seen certainly suggest this is the case. You will be able to find the site via the old url - www.raiseonline.org and with your usual user details as far as we are aware. It will also be compatible with all the most common internet browsers: Internet Explorer Firefox Chrome Safari The name of RAISEonline ‘full report' has been changed to ‘summary report', to reflect the fact it contains a summary of the RAISE data and not the complete set of tables and graphs available through the website. Once the site is populated with data we will review it and may issue a newletter update of what we find. This is the last big change to RAISEonline before 2013 when a new all encompassing DfE data system is being proposed. 2011 Key Stage 1 and 2 unvalidated data release date The release of 2011 Key Stage 1 and 2 unvalidated interactive reports is 29 September, this Thursday evening. I and my colleges are again offering an independent analysis of your data - if you would like to see a sample report please let me know. The report costs £325 plus VAT and contains a full evaluation of your results at school, subject, group and pupil level and is judged against the current OFSTED criteria. This year we are offering a report and ½ day training for £680 plus VAT and mileage - for this we will provide an in school session or sessions for SLT, staff and/or governors. This may be of particular use this year given the changes that are being made to the site and the content of the tables and charts. RAISEonline password check It would be worth checking your RAISEonline passwords are still working to prevent delays in accessing your data at the end of the week. If you experience problems accessing your account, then you need to contact your "in school" RAISEonline administrator (they have the user details that is 6 digits followed by SADMIN) in the first instance. If you can't track down this user or it is this user's details that are locked then you need to email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk to reset this pass word. You will need to include your title, the name and full address of the school, unique reference number (URN), DfE number and the headteacher's official school email address with your email. 2011 Key Stage 4 unvalidated data release date Timetabled for November this data is likely to be ready much earlier than last year and I suspect it maybe available around half term. New Ofsted Framework 2012 and the use of data Ofsted's latest inspection framework is now in full testing and will be fully launched for Spring Term 2012. The revised inspection proposals place continued importance on accurate data analysis. They propose to use more straightforward value-added measures to assess the impact the school has made on pupils' progress, not CVA. In the primary phase there will also be the introduction of Synthetic Phonics data checks. We are providing training on the New OFSTED regime and this includes the use of data, details can be found at: www.cocentra.com/cocentra/training/ School and College Performance Tables - Statement of Intent 2011 This document is worth a read if you are trying to understand the direction the DfE is taking in terms of school data. Most of the changes apply to KS4 although primaries are also affected. Key changes to the measures: KS2 No. & % of eligible for FSM and CLA (Children Looked After) KS1 APS of cohort No & % who started below, at or above expected level % FSM & CLA attaining L4+ E&M % all other pupils attaining L4+ E&M % attaining L5 in E&M Progress data measures based on VA (Value Added) not CVA (Contextual Value Added) KS4 KS2 APS of cohort No & % who started below, at or above expected level GCSE results to be broken down based on prior attainment - below, at or above expected level No & % KS4 cohort entered for EBACC % achieving EBACC % FSM & CLA attaining 5 A*-C E&M % all other pupils attaining 5 A*-C E&M Average no. GCSEs per pupil Average grade per entry Progress data measures based on VA (Value Added) not CVA (Contextual Value Added) For each EBACC subject area (Maths, English, 2 Sciences, Language & Humanities) No & % entered % entered who attained A*-C VA % included in VA calculation (coverage) Full Statement of Intent can be seen at: http://www.education.gov.uk/performancetables/Statement-of-Intent.pdf Interim National results KS2 & 3 The Statistical First Release of the National KS2 & 3 results is available at: http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001018/index.shtml It provides a summary of the test results at KS2 and Teacher assessments at KS3. The results are national but they are broken down by gender and by LA.    New newsletter - Facilities Management (Premises & Grounds Maintainance, Catering, cleaning, Human Resources, Finance) We will shortly be launching a new Facilities Management newsletter to inform schools about issues and new initiative in this area. With LAs drastically reducing school support services, schools are increasingly having to skill up to take on more responsibility and are entering into more contracts directly with companies for support. Our newsletter will seek to provide information and suggestions on how schools might manage and deal with these issues. If you or a colleague, perhaps the Head or Business Manager, would like to be added to the circulation for this new newsletter please let me know. If you have any questions on school data, RAISEonline, FFT, SIMS or any other matter please ring or email me. If you would like to be added to our regular School Data newsletter list please let me know Andy Best andy.best@cocentra.com 07917 080201 If you would like to subscribe to this data management newsletter please fill out the form here