Key dates you need to know
The school census happens 3 times in a school year.
The dates below are for the 2024/25 academic year.
If you're a maintained school or pupil referral unit (PRU) that submits your census return to your local authority (LA), your LA may set its own return deadline so do check with your LA.
Autumn 2024 census
- Census date: Thursday 3 October 2024
- Return deadline date: Wednesday 30 October 2024
Spring 2025 census
- Census date: Thursday 16 January 2025
- Return deadline date: Wednesday 12 February 2025
Summer 2025 census
- Census date: Thursday 15 May 2025
- Return deadline date: Wednesday 11 June 2025
Note: Independent schools are also required to complete the school-level annual school census (SLASC).
Changes for the 2024/25 academic year
The guidance includes a list data items that have been added, deleted or updated.
Some of the data you submit in