Disadvantaged learner uplift - Postcode File and Ward File
For each academic year there is a postcode file (prefixed 'WP') and a ward file (prefixed 'ward'). Both files are text format.
The uplifts apply to a particular academic year, therefore the appropriate year's files should be used as the basis for calculations of postcode-related or ward-related widening participation in that academic year. The filenames reflect the academic year to which the uplifts apply.
Postcode File
This file contains the list of postcodes that generate a Widening Participation uplift for this academic year.
Since 2003/04 it is based on the DETR Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000, and the link between postcodes and 1998 local authority wards. In 2002/03 it was based on the link between postcodes and 1991 local authority wards.
The file is best accessed through a database package such as Microsoft Access.
There are two fields in this file:
- postcode - the unit postcode
- uplift - the WP uplift relating to that postcode for this academic year.
Ward / Super Output Area File
This file contains the list of local authority wards that generate a Widening Participation uplift for this academic year.
There are three fields in this file:
- wardcode - the ward code (since 2004/05)
- wardname - the name of the ward
- uplift - the WP uplift relating to that ward for this academic year.
- from 08/09 onwards, ward has been replaced with super output areas
Files can be downloaded from the table:
Notes:
The 2012/13 versions of the postcode data have now been uploaded to the Data Service website in the table above. There are three files containing LLSOA/Disadvantaged Uplift (for both the EFA and the SFA), Postcode/Disadvantaged Uplift (for both the EFA and the SFA) and Postcode/Area Cost Factor.
For 2012/13 the EFA and the SFA have their own distinct Disadvantage Uplift Factors. The 2010 version of the Index of Multiple Deprivation has been used to determine disadvantaged geographical areas.
The 2010/11 versions of the disadvantaged learner uplift files, - Postcode File and Lower Super Output Area, along with the Area Cost Factor file have now been uploaded to the Data Service website in the table above. The methodology and file formats remain entirely unchanged from 2009/10.
For 2009/10 a correction to the uplift factors has been made in v2. The previous version (v1) incorrectly showed uplifts having a lower threshold of 1.1. This should have been 1.08 and has been amended accordingly. This does not affect area cost factors.
For use with the learner information suite (LIS), there is an updated database file containing the same data as v3 of the postcode and SOA files. This is available from the Learner Information Suite 16.03 page here.
The same data has also been included in the online data collection website from 2 March 2009 following an update to that system. Employer responsive funding reports created on 2 March 2009 or later dates will use the revised factors.
Following a number of requests, the v3 datasets now includes a third text file which contains area cost factors by postcode.
For 2006/07 the ward file published on 4 October 2006 was incorrect. Version 2 was published on 6 February 2007 which corrected the ward file but used an old postcode file. Version 3 was published on 6 February 2007 listing the correct version of the ward file and postcode file.
For 2005/06 the files published on 28 July 2005 contained uplifts truncated to two decimal places. On 29 July 2005 the files were replaced with those listing uplifts to four decimal places.
For 2004/05 the files published on 28 July 2005 contained uplifts truncated to two decimal places. On 29 July 2005 the files were replaced with those listing uplifts to four decimal places. The files published on 29 July 2005 did not include some new postcodes, which have been added in the 22 August 2005 version. The ward file remains the same in download version 3 as it is in download version 2, but is included to assist providers who have not downloaded version 2.
For 2003/04 the ward code field is called ward_98.
For 2002/03 the ward code field does not exist, instead there is a district field containing the name of the district.
Last Modified: 22 Jan 2013.
