School Census: all your questions answered | Juniper Education

Introduction

The school census is a crucial task that every school in England must complete each term, providing accurate and up-to-date information to the authorities. In this blog, we’ll answer all your questions about the School Census, including what needs to be submitted, how to streamline the process, and how technology can be your ally in simplifying the task. We’ll cover everything from key deadlines to how your school can ensure its census data meets all necessary requirements.

Why is the School Census required?

The School Census provides detailed data to the government, which is used to calculate funding and allocate resources. It’s essential to ensure that schools receive the appropriate level of funding and support to meet their unique needs. The more accurate your data, the better aligned your funding will be, allowing money to be directed where it’s most needed.

Census data helps authorities make funding decisions that directly impact a range of key areas, including:

• Schools Block Funding
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Funding
• Universal Infant Free School Meals
• Pupil Premium
• PE and Sports Premium
• Early Years Disability Access Fund

These funding streams enable schools to access the resources they need to improve pupil outcomes, particularly in areas where additional support is required.

Key dates and data to include

The School Census covers a broad range of data, including pupil details, attendance, school meals, enrollment status, SEN (special educational needs) information, exclusions, addresses, and more. Schools must record this data throughout the year to ensure it is current and accurate when submitted.

Here are the key census dates for the 2024/2025 academic year:

Autumn census

• census date – Thursday 3 October 2024
• return date – Wednesday 30 October 2024

Spring census

• census date – Thursday 16 January 2025
• return date – Wednesday 12 February 2025

Summer census

• census date – Thursday 15 May 2025
• return date – Wednesday 11 June 2025

It is a statutory duty for schools to submit census data by these deadlines.

Tips for providing accurate census data

Ensuring accurate and up-to-date census data can be a challenge, but by following these tips, your school can achieve a high-quality submission:

1. Complete a pre-submission check
   Review all data for completeness and accuracy before submission. Regularly update pupil records, as their status can change throughout the year, to avoid discrepancies.
2. Keep data up-to-date
   Instead of waiting until the census deadline approaches, review your census data periodically throughout the year. This reduces the risk of submitting outdated information.
3. Engage stakeholders
   Maintain open lines of communication with teachers, parents, and administrative staff. Ensure that all relevant staff are kept informed of any changes to pupil data.
4. Utilise training resources
   Make use of available training, such as webinars or guidance documents, to stay informed on any changes to census requirements.
5. Check for code accuracy
   Regularly consult the latest Department for Education (DfE) guidelines to ensure you’re using the correct codes when filling out census data. Errors in codes can lead to incorrect data submissions.
6. Ensure software is up-to-date
   Outdated software can lead to errors in data collection and submission. Keep your management software updated to help maintain compliance with DfE requirements.

Following these steps will help ensure your School’s Census data is accurate and compliant, making the process smoother and more efficient.

How can technology help?

If managing the School Census feels overwhelming, technology can offer significant relief. By using a reliable management information system (MIS), schools can collect and organise data more efficiently.

This academic year, we're excited to introduce our new MIS, specifically designed to meet your school’s unique needs and simplify census management and other administrative tasks.

What’s more, our MIS is highly cost-effective, offering the flexibility of a 90-day rolling contract with prices starting at just £100.

Learn more about our MIS and register today to be among the first schools to experience the benefits of our new solution.