School census: key dates and guidance

The next census date is 19 January 2023. Make sure you know what to do and where to go if you have any questions.

Last reviewed on 15 December 2022
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School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 39233
Contents
  1. Key dates you need to know
  2. Changes from the previous school census
  3. Get help with your census

Key dates you need to know

The school census happens 3 times in a school year.

If you're a maintained school or pupil referral unit (PRU) that submits your census return to your local authority (LA), they may set their own return deadline so do check with them.

The dates below are for the 2022/23 academic year.

The next census will be the spring census

  • Census date: Thursday 19 January 2023
  • Return deadline date: Wednesday 15 February 2023

Summer census date

  • Census date: Thursday 18 May 2023
  • Return deadline date: Wednesday 14 June 2023

The 2022 autumn census has now passed

This happened on:

  • Census date: Thursday 6 October 2022
  • Return deadline date: Wednesday 2 November 2022

Changes from the previous school census

New items introduced 

Young carers Number of hours of compulsory school time Company number and postcode for an alternative provision (AP) placement