School census: key dates and guidance

Find out the census dates and return deadlines for the 2023/24 academic year. Make sure you know what to do and where to go if you have any questions.

Last reviewed on 2 August 2023See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 39233
Contents
  1. Key dates you need to know
  2. Changes for the 2023/24 academic year
  3. Get help with your census

Key dates you need to know

The school census happens 3 times in a school year.

The dates below are for the 2023/24 academic year.

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

Autumn 2023 census

  • Census date: Thursday 5 October 2023
  • Return deadline date: Wednesday 1 November 2023

Spring 2024 census

  • Census date: Thursday 18 January 2024
  • Return deadline date: Wednesday 14 February 2024

Summer 2024 census

  • Census date: Thursday 16 May 2024
  • Return deadline date: Wednesday 12 June 2024

Changes for the 2023/24 academic year

The 'gender ID' data item has been created so you can record gender identity if this is different from