ILR specification: 2024 to 2025

Learning start date: Field

Definition

The date on which learning for the learning aim began (accurate to within a week).

Reason Required

To monitor the length of time taken to complete learning activities and to inform the funding calculations.

Schema Definitions

XML Entity Name
LearnStartDate
Field Length
10
Data type
xs:date
Minimum occurrences
1
Maximum occurrences
1

Collection Requirements

  • Collected for all aims

Valid Entries

A valid date, using the date pattern YYYY-MM-DD

Notes

  • This should be the date the learner started learning on the aim and could be at any time during a programme. This date is important for the distribution of funding and should not be altered or amended to reflect the start date for each year of the learning aim.

  • The learning start date must remain the same between teaching years as it is used in success rates to match data from one year to the next.

  • It is sufficient for the date held in this field to be accurate to within a week, providing that any approximation does not result in a learner being wrongly included or excluded in the funding calculations.

  • In the case of open learning or distance learning, the date on which the first course material is sent or presented to the learner should be recorded. In the case of accreditation of prior experience and learning, the start date would be the date on which the accreditation process started.