School Census information
Last updated:The School Census is a Department for Education (DfE) data collection of school and pupil level data that all schools in England (including academies, Free Schools, UTCs, Special Schools and PRUs) are required to complete three times a year. The submission of the school census returns, including a set of named pupil records, is a statutory requirement on schools under Section 537A of the Education Act 1996.
The DfE use the data collected in the School Census to allocate funding to schools so it is essential that the School Census is completed accurately and on time.
Timeline
The School Census takes place each term:
- autumn census - first Thursday in October
- spring census - third Thursday in January
- summer census - third Thursday in May
All maintained schools and academies should upload their return to the DfE COLLECT system which can be accessed via DfE Sign-in. It would be appreciated if Academy colleagues could also provide a copy of their census return to the Children's and Traded Services Team via AnyComms as soon as possible after census day each term to assist with our data validation.
Further details on each census will be made available in the School Bulletin so please ensure you check this regularly. More information, including guidance notes can be found on the DfE’s website by following the links below:
gov.uk 16 to 19 education funding guidance
School Census Webinars
Recordings
Census Changes and main issues - Jan 24
Census process and COLLECT Demonstration - Jan 24
Determining prior FSME for new pupils using GIAP - Jan 24
Further Guidance
School Census process for Schools and Academies
Data Checking - issues to look out for
Data items only collected in January
COLLECT guidance for schools Jan 24
Accounts management for DfE Sign-in - guidance for school Approvers
Alternative Provision Placement Settings
Data Checker for Primary School SIMS users - Jan 24
Data Checker for Secondary School SIMS users - Jan 24