| Description | Scottish Executive Statistics Plan Overview and Annual Report 2004-05 |
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| ISBN | (Web Only) |
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| Official Print Publication Date | |
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| Website Publication Date | April 22, 2005 |
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APPENDIX A - LINKS TO TOPIC PLANS
AND REPORTS
Individual topic plans can be accessed on the Scottish
Executive Statistics website at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/statistics
APPENDIX B - BREACHES AND EXCEPTIONS TO THE
NATIONAL STATISTICS CODE OF PRACTICE
BREACHES
Leak of delayed discharge figures (October
2003)
Delayed discharges statistics that were officially
published on 30 September 2003 were 'leaked' to The Sunday
Times and quoted in an article on 28 September 2003.
It was not possible to identify the source of the leak,
but
ISD have reviewed the timing of the pre-release
access and warning notice attached to pre-release
documentation, with the aim of minimising the risk of
future similar breaches.
Statements in Sunday Herald on incidents of
violence in schools
In a interview with the Sunday Herald, which was
published before the statistics were released on 27 January
2004, the Minister for Education & Young People
indicated that "I think this year's figures will show a
significant rise, but that does not necessarily mean a rise
in incidents per se….." and discussed the policy issues
around incidents of violence and interpretation of the
statistics. He did not quote any figures.
We are currently in the process of providing clearer
guidance on the Code of Practice.
Release of confidential data on incidents of
violence in schools
In relation to the same statistics the Minister decided
to release local authority level data, the day before the
summary statistics were published. The Minister's view was
that release of this data would highlight the quality
problems. The breach occurred because the Education
Department statisticians had given a commitment to data
providers not to release the local authority data because
of concerns about the quality at this level.
I have since provided all staff with clearer guidance on
the release of background data. Under Freedom of
Information we do not anticipate that guarantees of
confidentiality can be given in relation to non personal
data other than where it breaches legal obligations and all
background data must be made available subject to valid
confidentiality constraints. Subsequent discussions have
been held with the Minister to try to avoid such situations
developing in future.
EXCEPTIONS
Changes to release on school exam
results
The Minister for Education and Young People decided in
autumn 2003 that the school level statistics on exam
results should no longer appear in the annual statistics
publication. Instead they would appear in a new website
amongst a wider range of school level statistics.
Unfortunately this timing did not allow for the
consultation with external users required under the
protocol. As Chief Statistician I agreed that this should
occur as an exception to the Code since the school level
data had only been included in the statistical publication
because of previous Ministerial requirements, and the
positive nature of the planned changes outweighed the lack
of consultation.
Improved planning arrangements with the Minister should
prevent a recurrence of this lack of consultation. The
website was well received and the reduced prominence given
to crude league tables of 'school performance' was welcomed
by many.