Information
Management in
Schools
Data
Collection and
Dissemination
04 Data Management>
Unique Pupil Numbers (UPNs)
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UPN Guidance
Unique Pupil Numbers (UPNs) — Download the Policy and Practice Guidance for LAs and schools. Previously published guidance documents may be downloaded from the UPN Archive page (link at bottom of page).
Update July 2008
The UPN generator and notes have been updated for the new school academic year 2008/09.
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UPN generator 2008/09
[NB this file must initially be saved with the filename "UPN2008.xls" and macros must be enabled upon opening]
Enquiries and Contacts
General enquiries regarding UPNs may be made to the Data
Services Centre Helpdesk:
Email: DSG.helpdesk@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 01325 392626
Specific enquiries regarding individual UPNs should be made to LA UPN contacts: see below.
UPN Frequently Asked Questions
A suggested list of key responsibilities for LA UPN contacts is available.
Background
UPNs were first introduced during the 1999/2000 academic year for pupils in Local Authority (LA) maintained schools in England (a similar, compatible, system has been introduced for pupils in maintained schools in Wales.) Independent schools are not required to issue UPNs for their pupils although many have done so on a voluntary basis.
A UPN is a number that identifies each pupil in England uniquely. UPNs are allocated to pupils according to a nationally specified formula on first entry to school (or in some cases earlier). Pupils' UPNs are intended to remain with them throughout their school career regardless of any change in school or LEA (there are a few exceptional circumstances where this may not, in fact, be the case.)
UPNs may be allocated automatically through a school's (or LA's) management information system or by utilising a spreadsheet provided for the purpose. Whichever method is chosen, that method must be used for the entire academic year in question.
UPN Allocation Spreadsheet
Maintained schools with their own Management Information Systems should never use the spreadsheet to allocate UPNs unless explicitly directed to do so by their LA.
For those schools or LAs using the spreadsheet it should be noted that a separate spreadsheet is required for each academic year.
The spreadsheet, and accompanying guidance notes, for the academic years 2007/2008 are available for download:
2007/2008 UPN generator
2007/2008 generator guidance notes
UPN Archive Page
Superseded guidance documentation and previous academic years' versions
of the generator spreadsheet are available from the UPN
archive page.
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Page updated 3 July 2009
