Six Dimensions 2022

We are pleased to be able to share the data collection instructions for this year’s six dimensions project. For more than a decade, the six dimensions analysis has proved invaluable in building an intelligent picture of the sector as a whole and of performance in individual colleges, across a wide range of measures. Please note the deadline for submission of 28 February 2022.

In the absence of QAR analysis this year, we need to take a different approach to data collection. The data collection involves providing data on outcomes scheduled to end in 2020-21. Full instructions are available below.

This year’s project takes as its starting point ‘the unexamined life’, looking at the experiences of students, colleges and the sector in a year of teacher assessed grades. We then broaden our range somewhat and consider other hitherto unexamined aspects of the sector: specifically we will look at university destinations on individual vocational courses, consider the impact of the pandemic on retention and progression and then turn our attention to the experience of black, Asian and minority ethnic students in sixth form colleges. While colleges vary in the proportion of their students from a BAME background, understanding this is of crucial importance. If an analysis can be both timely and long overdue, I think this probably fits the bill. Alongside this examination of performance on courses which have completed we will also turn our attention to the experience of students starting courses in September 2020, examining patterns of prior attainment, enrolments and retention over the lower sixth year.

While the decision to give public accountability a miss and suspend ‘full’ performance tables this year was entirely appropriate, internal accountability remains important. We will leave these pandemic times one day, and being able to understand which bits of our offer work best, and understand how we compare to national standards remains crucial to delivering a high-quality offer. Our individual college reporting provides important insights into retention, achievement, destinations and progress.

The data you submit will be processed with due regard to the sensitivity of the data. Information regarding performance in an individual college will not be shared without the express permission of that college. A copy of the data will be held by the SFCA, for contingency purposes. The Six Dimensions Data Protection Statement contains full details and is issued alongside the data collection instructions.

As ever, could we offer our thanks to you all for your continuing support of the project. We appreciate that the data collection demands of the project take MIS staff away from other important tasks, but hope you agree that the benefits of the analysis far outweigh these costs.

If you have any queries, please contact Nick Allen on nallen@psc.ac.uk.

Data collection instructions 2022

Data protection statement 2022