System update 22 August 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:
    • Issue with changing establishment types – internal only
    • Update guidance: local authority name and associated codes for Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness
    • Update guidance: local authority name and associated codes for North Yorkshire and Somerset

Further information

1. Office for National Statistics (ONS) updates

The update to the geo spatial fields that are updated from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has now been completed.

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

This also updated those fields that had a temporary code in place with their new ONS data following the local government reorganisations in April 2023 (see previous system updates for more information on this).

  • 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

2. Yearly update of data from the underlying data of the schools, pupils and their characteristics statistical release

The yearly update of data from the underlying data of the schools, pupils and their characteristics statistical publication will take place shortly over several days. A notice will be added to the service whilst this work is undertaken and then updated once all work is completed.

The fields that will be updated are the:

  • total number of pupils
  • total number of boys
  • total number of girls
  • number of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM)
  • percentage of children eligible for free school meals (FSM)

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

The yearly update of data from the school level annual school census (SLASC) data collection will take place shortly over several days for independent schools only. A notice will be added to the service whilst this work is undertaken and then updated once all work is completed.

The fields that will be updated (where applicable) are:

  • street
  • locality
  • address3
  • town
  • county
  • postcode
  • establishment name
  • head first name
  • head last name
  • head title
  • number of pupils
  • number of special pupils under a special educational needs (SEN) statement/education, health and care (EHC) plan
  • number of special pupils not under a special educational needs (SEN) statement/education, health and care (EHC) plan

Kind regards


GIAS support team

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