How are you collecting information on pupil premium/FSM eligibility?

[pete]

So.....this year the LA isn't providing this info (according to $people_who_want_it) and it's up to us to collect it/discover it.

 

How is your school doing this securely* if the LA doesn't provide the info?

 

*or "oh FFS $admin_person, don't tell me what you're doing LALALALALALALALALA" insecurely.

[PhilNeal]

I don't know how that's going to work!! Which LA are you in?

[sparkeh]

Wait what?

 

Unless I am grossly mistaken, parents have to apply to the LA to get FSM and the LA Informs the school. That's just how it works right? Or at least how it works in every LA I am aware of (or quick google throws up).

 

Have you confirmed this with the LA?

[GREED]

Have you become an academy and peed the LA off something royal or something?

[LosOjos]

So.....this year the LA isn't providing this info (according to $people_who_want_it)

 

Call the LA yourself - I've never heard of an LA not providing this info, they're the ones who handle the admin! (Not sure if they still do it for academies or not)

[pete]

I don't know how that's going to work!! Which LA are you in?

 

Lincolnshire and we're an academy. S'possible someone at the LA (or us) got the wrong end of the stick or the LA are being well.....the LA, but the person at our end seems pretty sure we need to do something.

 

As far as I'm aware no-one's being poking the LA with sticks.

Edited September 12, 2014 by pete

[sparkeh]

Lincolnshire. S'possible someone at the LA (or us) got the wrong end of the stick or the LA are being well.....the LA, but the person at our end seems pretty sure we need to do something.

According to the Lincs CC FSM page, the parent gets a form from the school and the LA assesses their application: FAQs - Free School Meals | Lincolnshire County Council

[h=2]How do I apply for free school meals?[/h]You will need to complete an application form which you can get from your child’s school. The person who is in receipt of the qualifying benefit will need to complete the form. You will be asked to complete your full name, DOB and NI number. It is recommended that both parents information is provided, so that we can check both for eligibility.

[FN-GM]

All LA's are having this issue. There is a new cabinet office rule that restricts how information is shred that originated from a government department. The free some meal stuff originally comes from the Department of Education and falls user this policy.

 

For now our LA is doing so anyway.

[sparkeh]

All LA's are having this issue. There is a new cabinet office rule that restricts how information is shred that originated from a government department. The free some meal stuff originally comes from the Department of Education and falls user this policy.

 

For now our LA is doing so anyway.

edit: What your LA is not giving you the info? Or is continuing to? Sorry I get what you mean now

 

We still get the daily FSM lists as normal.

Edited September 12, 2014 by sparkeh

[FN-GM]

They are giving the info although technically they shouldn't

 

This rule is called PSN.

[LosOjos]

They are giving the info although technically they shouldn't

 

This rule is called PSN.

 

Are you talking about the Public Services Network? https://www.publicservicesnetwork.service.gov.uk/home

 

I didn't think that was up and running yet?

 

In Sandwell, we've used a secure portal (WebXChange) for years for the secure transfer of data between departments; essentially what PSN will do nationally.

[sparkeh]

Ahhhh I think I am beginning to understand.

 

The PSN requirements mean stuff has to be exchanged securely. Our FSM lists are done via a secure method so I guess it isn't an issue for us.

Can't understand why that would mean an LA pushing the work onto the school though?

[pete]

It turns out that:

 

LCC used to send FSM data out to schools in plain text via email. But they're not doing that anymore because "Lincolnshire has a low uptake of FSM & PP (which doesn't seem right to LCC) and schools are best placed to communicate FSM & PP to parents". This is the gist our lot got from LCC.

 

Given that there is (and has been for years) a perfectly good secure data exchange site in Lincolnshire, I don't understand WTF they were using email or why they can't send the data via the secure method.

 

Unless it's because (as @FN-GM says) central government are saying "you can't instigate this due to new restrictions on data-sharing".

[LosOjos]

It turns out that:

 

LCC used to send FSM data out to schools in plain text via email. But they're not doing that anymore because "Lincolnshire has a low uptake of FSM & PP (which doesn't seem right to LCC) and schools are best placed to communicate FSM & PP to parents". This is the gist our lot got from LCC.

 

Given that there is (and has been for years) a perfectly good secure data exchange site in Lincolnshire, I don't understand WTF they were using email or why they can't send the data via the secure method.

 

Unless it's because (as @FN-GM says) central government are saying "you can't instigate this due to new restrictions on data-sharing".

 

It really is terrifying how bad some LAs are at DP. Could be someone reported them so they've received warning and in typical knee-jerk response, stopped sending all together rather than doing it correctly. Purely speculation.

 

Sounds like you're going to have to do it on your own - something SLT need to know straight away, census is due October 2nd.

[sparkeh]

It really is terrifying how bad some LAs are at DP. Could be someone reported them so they've received warning and in typical knee-jerk response, stopped sending all together rather than doing it correctly. Purely speculation.

Mmm I bet its something like that. There is no issue with the LA sending the FSM securely but it seems like an overreaction to just stop doing it completely.

[matt40k]

Could be the secure method was funded as a LA school, but is chargable as an Academy and they haven't bought in. Could be they are understaff cause of all the cuts. Could be the secure systems isn't secure anymore and PSN has a very short deadline to fix it else you lose connectivity to alot of criticial systems. Could just be a misunderstanding - like they need to promote it now that lower years in primary schools all get free school meals but parents still need to apply so they can get the extra funding.