View your education data accessibility statement

Using this website

This website is run by the Department for Education (DfE). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, it is possible to:

  • navigate most of the website using keyboard and speech recognition software.
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS and NVDA).

Accessibility of this website

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible, for example:

  • accessing the dashboards relies on JavaScript being turned on.
  • some dashboards fail to meet the usability standard and are under review to ensure their compliance.

What to do if you can't access parts of this website

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please use the  Customer Help Portal to let us know your requirements.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting the accessibility requirements, please use the  Customer Help Portal .

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

The Department for Education is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

"This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed."

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Non-compliance with regulations was identified when using some screen readers and browsers to view the dashboards only. In particular:

  • condition 1.4.1: Colour is not used as the only visual means of conveying info
  • condition 2.4.6: The headings and labels are clear and consistent, accurately describing the topic or purpose

In summer of 2024 we will review the system again and address these concerns.

How we tested this website

This website was last tested on 24th May 2021. The test was carried out by the DfE.

Testing was carried out using:

  • Dragon NaturallySpeaking (V15.5), a voice recognition (speech to text) program which requires minimal user interface from a mouse or keyboard.
  • JAWS (2020), a screen reader (text to speech) program developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse.
  • Zoomtext (2020), a magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. It enlarges and enhances everything on screen, echoes typing and essential program activity, and reads screen content.
  • Fusion (2020), is a hybrid of ZoomText with its screen magnification and visual enhancements, coupled with the power and speed of JAWS for screen reading functionality.

At the time of testing, these were the DfE’s supported versions of accessibility software.

Testing methodology and browser compatibility

Testing methodology

The service was manually tested following the user acceptance scripts. The key web pages were identified along with key functionality, types of web content, design and functionality. Testing was carried out in a structured way, often following a business process from beginning to end. Randomly selected pages were also tested.

Each page was reviewed against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, utilising accessibility software such as screen readers to ensure users with disabilities can view and interact with page content.

During testing, the following disabilities were considered:

  • Keyboard Only: The user has a motor impairment that limits them to using only a keyboard to operate a computer.
  • Voice Activation: The user has a motor impairment that limits them to using only voice commands to operate a computer via assistive technology such as a microphone and dictation software.
  • Screen Reader: The user has a visual impairment that limits them to using accessibility software such as a screen reader to operate a computer via keyboard control and feedback via audible descriptions of visual elements.
  • Low Vision: The user has a visual impairment that limits their access to content presented at 100% magnification. The user utilises system/browser controls or accessibility software to increase screen magnification.
  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing: The user has a hearing impairment that limits their access to audio content.
  • Learning Difficulties: The user has a learning disability that limits their access to content that is presented in a way that requires a high level of literacy.

Browser compatibility

The browsers used were IE11 and Edge Chromium as these are standard in the DfE and its agencies.

Compatibility and usability cannot be guaranteed for people who access the system outside of the DfE network. It is impossible to test for every browser, operating system and accessibility software package.

This statement was prepared on 19th November 2020.

This statement was last updated on 5 July 2024.