In 2025, we held a competition for students aged 16 and over in England and Wales.
We asked students to build a multi-indicator picture of a chosen location using real-world data from the ONS. Using this as evidence, we wanted them to suggest a policy recommendation that could realistically improve outcomes for people in the location within five years.
We received a huge number of amazing entries.
Our fantastic judging panels of ONS staff, relevant subject associations and other government departments chose our finalists for Geography, Business Studies, Sociology and Maths. Our Head Judge, Mary Gregory, Executive Director for Population and Census, then chose the overall winner.
On 13 January 2026, we held a virtual event to announce the subject winners and the ONS Data Challenge 2025 Champion.
ONS Data Challenge 2025: Geography category
Thomas from Sutton Grammar School in Surrey
Thomas’ project compared transportation in Ashtead with nearby Epsom, focusing on bus services in the two towns. Using census data from 2011 and 2021, the project highlighted the challenges residents face due to a lack of transport links in Ashtead. Thomas recommended extending the existing bus routes in Ashtead to Epsom by adding new stops for the local hospital and train station. This would help to make the area more accessible for the elderly and commuters.
ONS Data Challenge 2025: Business Studies category
Deanna, Charles, Ridon and Abdellahi from Christ’s College Finchley in London.
This group’s project compared Newham and Barnet, analysing economic indicators, including employment levels, income, business activity, business survival rates and crime. This highlighted how economic deprivation, limited enterprise support and youth disengagement reinforce one another, creating a cycle of disadvantage within Newham. The group recommended launching a Youth Enterprise and Skills Hub in Newham. This would focus on enterprise training, employment skills, youth support and crime prevention to boost employment and business sustainability.
ONS Data Challenge 2025: Sociology category
Glory from St Angela’s Ursuline School in London.
Glory’s project examined economic, social, and crime factors in Woolwich, comparing ONS data from 2011 and 2021 to highlight the effects of regeneration and how this can impact social inequality. The project aimed to provide evidence that regeneration not only impacts government policy but also deeply affect residents. Glory recommended introducing affordable housing, a skills hub and wellbeing services to the area to reduce overcrowding and support vulnerable residents.
ONS Data Challenge 2025: Maths category and The ONS Data Challenge 2025 Champions
Bilal, Moeez, Darshan and Rohan from King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The project investigated how and why traffic volume during rush hours differs between St Alphege in Solihull and Guildhall and Bridgetown in Stratford-upon-Avon. The group analysed census and transport data to compare population size, the working-age population, distance travelled to work and methods of travel to work. They recommended introducing a congestion charge in the busiest parts of Guildhall and Bridgetown to reduce traffic, encourage the use of public transport and generate revenue to invest in local transport services.
It’s been such a pleasure to judge the ONS Data Challenge 2025, and I’ve been really impressed with the submissions I saw. The standard of entries was very high, so congratulations to all our worthy subject winners.
However, our ONS Data Challenge 2025 Champions particularly stood out for the range of data they considered and the presentation of their approach. They included the limitations of the data and the risks around the proposals, which is so important.
The ONS Data Challenge 2025 Champions won an exclusive in-person session with Mary and a written personal statement to boost their career potential. Their school also won a £250 voucher.
A huge thanks to all schools and colleges who took part in the challenge. If you’d like to keep teaching your students about using real-world ONS data, check out our data education programme for students aged 16 and over, Navigating Numbers.