Educational attainment in Wales: Differences between Welsh- and EU-born pupils

An ADR Wales research team has published a Data Insight that covers the differences in educational attainment and attendance between Welsh- and European Union (EU)-born pupils. This is part of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Data Linkage Project, an ADR Wales initiative.

The findings are categorised by membership to EU14 and EU8 countries. EU14 countries include: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. EU8 countries include: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Some results are also shown for EU27-born pupils.

The team found that:

• Welsh-born pupils have a higher average primary school attendance than EU-born pupils.
• However, EU14-born pupils have a slightly higher average primary school attendance than Welsh-born pupils.
• Estimated attainment at all levels for EU8-born pupils living in Wales does not appear to be as high as for EU14-born pupils.

Speaking of their findings, the team said: “It is important to obtain an accurate knowledge of the educational outcomes for EU-born children living in Wales. This influences the policy decisions and services that the Welsh Government can deliver to address the needs of this population. It also enables researchers and policymakers to better understand the experiences of EU-born children living in Wales.”

The EUSS project aims to improve the evidence base on EU citizens in Wales who are part of the EU Settlement Scheme. It aims to anonymously link EU citizens’ data with other data held within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. This will help researchers and policymakers to understand the experiences of EU citizens living in Wales, and therefore develop policies and services that address the needs of this population.

This story was originally published on ADR Wales.