Post-16 data collections and Qualification Accreditation Numbers (QANs)

QAN Web Services (QWS)

Secondary schools with sixth forms are required to return individual-level post-16 learning aims data for students via the School Census.

In order to facilitate this collection and give schools access to the most up to date list of qualifications, the DCSF has launched the QAN Web Services. This will enable schools, LAs and others to have access to a dynamic database of QANs together with associated lookup tables.

QWS consists of a web services tool, which allows school management information systems (MISs) to communicate directly with a central database of qualifications, and a conventional website, where the same data can be downloaded as XML or CSV files. It will be at the discretion of MIS suppliers whether individual MISs access this data via web services or by downloading files from the website to the MIS.

Schools and LAs can now access the full range of QAN data by visiting the DCSF QAN website. Web services can also be accessed.

As an additional service, schools can also access a list of all the QANs they entered in PLAMS up to March 2007. To access QWS schools and LAs will use their COLLECT (Collections Online — Learners, Education, Children and Teachers) logins. For schools the logins will be the same as those used currently for the School to School (s2s) secure website and the Data Collection website. LAs were sent their COLLECT logins on 1 June in the e-mails entitled 'QAN Web Services Goes Live'. Those authorities already in possession of COLLECT logins will continue to use the same ones. If you have not received your COLLECT login details please contact the dsg.helpdesk@dcsf.gov.uk or telephone 01325 392626.
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Last updated: 8 July 2008}