Data Insight: Exploring transitions to post-compulsory education in Wales
Categories: Research using linked data, Research findings, Data Insights, ADR Wales, Children & young people
23 May 2023
This Data Insight explores transitions from school to Post-Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) in Wales.
Background
Welsh Government have committed to reducing rates of young people who do not move into employment, education or training, as well as raising the aspirations and attainment of vulnerable young people.
In contributing to these goals, it is important to understand the progression of pupils from compulsory education at around aged 16 to post-compulsory education settings. Whilst national statistics published each year indicate the number of learners registered in Further Education (FE) settings, these figures do not include learners in sixth form settings 4 and are not representative of the Year 11 cohort transition. The Careers Wales Destinations Survey, undertaken each year on behalf of Welsh Government, provides a more complete picture of the destinations of Year 11 pupils, yet segmentation analysis can only be carried out on gender and ethnicity categories.
This Data Insight utilises administrative education data sources to explore the transition from school to sixth form and FE colleges by a wider range of learner characteristics.
What we did
This research linked the Welsh National Data Collection Pupil Level Annual School Census (NDC PLASC), the Post-16 Pupil Level Annual School Census (Post-16 PLASC), and the Lifelong Learner Wales Record (LLWR). Linking these administrative records allowed us to identify those pupils who moved into post compulsory education or training, and look at a variety of characteristics associated with those people who did not transition to further learning in Wales.
What we found
Attendance at FE colleges is the most common next step for Year 11 pupils, with around 55% registering at FE colleges. Over 40% of pupils go on to attend a 6th form following Year 11, whilst around 8% of pupils are not found within these records.
We further explored characteristics associated with not continuing to post-compulsory education and withdrawal from post-compulsory education. Figure 2 summarises these findings. Results suggest that FSM eligibility and those with SEN status could benefit from targeted support to enter and remain in postcompulsory education, compared to those not eligible for FSM and those not identified as SEN.
Why it matters
Current estimates of PCET either do not provide a holistic picture of transitions from Year 11 to Year 12, or do not allow examination by a wide range of characteristics. Understanding characteristics of those who do not continue in PCET can aid the support of such individuals to enter employment, education or training. By providing appropriate support to these individuals it might be possible to further reduce attainment gaps and the number of NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people in Wales.
