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LAD notes archive

Previously whenever changes to the LAD were proposed, notes were issued to provide background information. This page contains an archive of those notes.

1. Deletion of obsolete learning aims

On 18 March 2003 it was proposed that a number of 'obsolete' learning aims would be permanently deleted from the LAD on 31 March 2003. The aim of this step was to support 'streamlining' the learning aim database by removing redundant data. The learning aims affected by this proposal are listed in a spreadsheet available to download. These aims are not currently valid for use in ILR data, and have not been valid for use in ISR data for at least 2 years.

Following the publication of this proposal, some issues were raised about access to information on historical aims to support analysis of data returns from previous years, and as a result these aims were not deleted on the planned date.

The LSC is considering how to consult providers and software suppliers about rationalising the LAD as recommended in Trust in the Future and the issues this raises for them.

2. Data cleansing - Yes/No flags

We are planning to change the data in a number of fields which are Yes / No flags in the Learning Aim Database (LAD).

Although these fields are defined as only having two possible values (Y/N), currently many of them can also contain a blank or null value, which is assumed to be the same as N. This means that these fields are actually taking three values rather than two in the current LAD.

This is potentially confusing, so as part of our ongoing data cleansing activities, we are proposing to rationalise the situation by setting all blanks / null values in the relevant fields to 'N' (or 0 in the case of the Technical Certificate flag which can be either 1 or 0).

It is currently planned to apply this change during May 2003.

The fields affected are:

  • Learning Aim Table:
  • Learning Aim on Entry
  • Generic Aim
  • Temporary Aim
  • Basic Skills Diagnostic Test
  • Flag10 - Flag30

All Annual Values:

  • Basic Skill
  • Independent Living Skills
  • Aim no longer offered

WBL Annual Values:

  • Technical Certificate (this field is 1 or 0 rather than Y or N. Blanks / null values will be set to 0)

3. Sector framework information for 2003/04

In 2002/03, sector framework information was available in Annex J of the ILR Specification, but for 2003/04 this information will be available from the Learning Aim Database instead. As part of future improvements to the LAD application, functionality will be added to view and download a table giving full details for each sector framework. In the meantime, there are two ways to view sector framework information in the LAD:

  • Sector framework codes/descriptions can be viewed on screen. In the LAD Aims Search screen enter the code or description in the Sector Framework Code or Desc text box. . To show all codes enter the wildcard (%) in the Desc text box. If you know all, or part of the description of the framework, enter this between wildcard characters (for example. %eng% will match Engineering frameworks). Click Lookup and a popup window will appear listing any matching codes/descriptions (15 per page).
  • Full sector framework details (as previously provided in Annex J) are included in the LAD extract files available for download from the LAD. (Note that 'organisation responsible' information is not currently included in these files.)

Some sector frameworks currently listed in the LAD will no longer be valid in 2003/04. Identification of such sector frameworks is underway and they will be removed from the LAD in due course. In future, it is planned to populate 'effective from' and 'effective to' fields in the LAD to indicate which sector frameworks are available for use on which date.

4. LSC Funding Status for GCE A2s on the LAD

GCE A2 is the description for the second year of a full GCE A level. They are generally taken in the second year of study to convert a GCE AS level into a GCE A level. In ILR returns it is necessary to distinguish between GCE A2s (3 units) studied in year 2 and GCE A levels (6 units) taken in a single year. Therefore on the LAD there are separate learning aim references for GCE A2s.

GCE A2s are not qualifications in their own right so they are not assigned accreditation numbers by QCA nor listed on the DfES section 96 or section 97 websites. Consequently they are currently marked as 'other provision' in the LSC funding status field of the LAD. This has generated a number of queries from providers concerning eligibility for LSC funding for 16-18 learners following A2 programmes. A support news item posted on 2 May 2003 confirmed that GCE A2s are eligible for LSC funding and should be funded in all cases.

In order to clarify the situation, for the 2003/04 academic year the LAD will be developed so that GCE A2s are marked in the LSC funding status field as 'components of section 96 and 97 qualifications'. A2s are part of the course leading to the full GCE A-Level qualification approved under Section 96 and 97 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000.

5. LAD Download enhancements

New options will be added shortly to allow download of LAD data for just one teaching year as well as the existing options to download 3 years' data at once. This will be available for all four download formats.

These revised downloads include a minor change to formatting of two numeric fields in the text file downloads (.csv and pipe delimited). Fields affected are the 'notional NVQ width' and the 'England programme area ID'. These were previously output with two decimal places but are output as integers in the new downloads

Last Modified: 5 Jan 04