School to School (s2s) frequently asked questions (FAQs)

I don't know how to download a file from s2s OR I've had an email saying there is a file waiting for me — what do I do?

1. There is a link to the s2s secure site from the web page at www.teachernet.gov.uk/s2s . Use this link to access the s2s service.

2. To download a file sent to you (or to transfer a file that you have created from your management information system), you will need your school user id and password. Contact your LEA support unit if you do not know them, or contact s2s.mailbox@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk or phone 01325 392626 — if you can quote your school DCSF number it will help them.

3. To obtain copies of the guidance notes provided for schools on how to create the Common Transfer File (CTF) or how to use the look-up table and the transfer site, go to the CTF page of this site, at www.teachernet.gov.uk/CTF

A question from an LEA about getting school passwords.

Anyone in the LEA who has access to www.datacollection.dcsf.gov.uk can download user ids and passwords for schools.

I do not know who has such access in your LEA. If you phone 01325 392626 you can request access — its also the number schools can phone to ask for their user id and password.

A question from an LEA about tidying up files sent to schools and not downloaded.

At present only the sending school can remove them.

We plan the following enhancements:

1. Filter on uploading to stop files being sent to schools not on the system.

2. A tidy of files sent already to remove them and put them into the lost pupils where the file was for an independent school.

3. The inclusion of some independent schools.

A question from an LEA about lost learners.

As an LEA user you can search the lost-learners database and download the CTF for a child who has joined one of your schools. Its similar to using Key to Success: you can use a number of fields, probably date of birth and forename and/or surname is best.

If you download a file you can rename it by replacing XXXXXXX with the school DCSF number and use s2s to send it to the school. If it's a family escaping a violent partner so they do not want the previous school to know where they have gone, do not use s2s for this unless you change the sending school number to your own LEA 879LLLL.

You can 'fuzzy match'.

A question from a school which has downloaded a file and is still getting a reminder.

Download it again. There may be a problem. If it persists, check that the final screen which asks you to confirm it downloaded successfully was completed with an entry in the YES box.

If there is still a problem contact the s2s service desk.

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^{Page updated 15 Sept 2005}