The instructions on this page were different in the following release(s):
3.80 | 3.78 | 3.75

Data Collection

Release Note for Autumn 2023 (3.81)

Census data is used:

• for funding purposes
• by the department’s policy divisions
• by other government departments
• by local authorities
• by schools
• by external agencies
• by educational researchers

The census period is the time from the day after the previous census day to the current census day, inclusive. Pupil records and data collected within the census period are included within the census return on census day.

Local authorities must liaise closely in the weeks running up to the census date to ensure that all appropriate pupils are included, and that accurate data is supplied from all providers by the deadline.

Local authorities must collect the data from AP providers and send it to the DfE via Collections Online for Learning, Education, Children and Teachers (COLLECT).

Access to COLLECT is via the Secure Access Portal. This enables registered users access the DfE’s systems.

Census day

The AP census day is Thursday 18th January 2024.

Collection period

The collection period is 21st January 2023 to 18th January 2024 inclusive.

Deadline date

The deadline date for the AP census is Friday 1st March 2024.