ADR Wales has today published a new Data Insight looking at the differences in educational attainment and attendance between Welsh pupils and pupils born in the European Union.
The Data Insight was carried out by members of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Data Linkage Project whose findings are categorised by membership to the 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 research team found that pupils born in Wales have a higher average primary school attendance compared to European Union (EU)-born pupils. However, EU14-born pupils have a slightly higher average primary school attendance than pupils born in Wales. The research team estimated attainment at all levels for EU8 pupils born in the EU living in Wales do not appear to be as high as for EU14 pupils.
Speaking of their findings, the research 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 is an initiative born out of the need to improve the evidence base on EU citizens in Wales who are part of the EU Settlement Scheme. It aims to anonymously link European Union (EU) citizens data with other data already held within the SAIL Databank, enabling researchers and policymakers to better understand the experiences of EU citizens living in Wales, and therefore to develop better informed policy and services that address the needs of this potentially vulnerable population.
Read the full Data Insight