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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:

Document	Date	Size	View or Download
2008/09 Postcode and SOA Files -v2	15 Aug 2008	1.2MB	Zipped text files
2008/09 Postcode and SOA Files -v1	30 May 2008	1.1 MB	Zipped text files
2007/08 Postcode and Ward Files -v2	20 July 2007	926 KB	Zipped text files
2006/07 Postcode and Ward Files -v3	6 February 2007	888 KB	Zipped text files
2005/06 Postcode and Ward Files	29 July 2005	869 KB	Zipped text files
2004/05 Postcode and Ward Files – Updated Postcode File version -v3	22 August 2005	888 KB	Zipped text files
2004/05 Postcode and Ward Files - Updated versions -v2	29 July 2005	869 KB	Zipped text files
2004/05 Postcode and Ward Files - First versions -v1	6 August 2004	700 KB	Zipped text files
2003/04 Postcode and Ward Files		853 KB	Zipped text files
2002/03 Postcode and Ward Files		889 KB	Zipped text files

Notes:

For 2008/09 the previous v1 file published in May held the uplift factor at the incorrect number of decimal places (5 instead of 4). Following feedback from sector colleagues this has now been amended, as well as a couple of other matching errors. Please download this v2 file and disregard the previous v1 files.

The 2008/09 Learner Information Suite is still using data based on v1 of the Postcode and SOA files. The next releases of the LIS and Data Collection systems will be updated to use the latest published data available at that point.

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: 15 Aug 2008.