Census dates 2025/2026

This article contains important dates for censuses taking place across the current academic year. This information is derived from DfE guidance on School Censuses and the Workforce Census.

*Please note: School Census dry runs are usually available two weeks before the census date, and Workforce Census dry runs usually open four weeks, but this may be subject to change depending on alterations made by the DfE.
 

Data Collections

Here are some key data points collected in the census, along with links to easily access and review the data.

• Attendance data- See how to check attendace data here: View attendance statistics
   
  • Autumn 2025 - Summer term 2024 to 2025 data is collected from Easter Monday 2025-04-21 to the Sunday 2025-05-25 before the usual late spring bank holiday. And, Summer second half-term data is collected from the usual late spring bank holiday Monday 2025-05-26 to 2025-07-31
  • Spring 2026 - Autumn term 2025 to 2026 data is collected from 2025-08-01 to 2025-12-31
  • Summer 2026 - Spring term 2025 to 2026 data is collected from 2026-01-01 to Easter Sunday 2026-04-05
• Free School Meal Eligibility - More on managing this here: View FSM students and eligibility dates
   
  • Autumn 2025 - Eligibilities that started on or before 2025-10-02, where the free school meal end date is either not present or between 2025-05-16 and 2025-10-02 (inclusive)
  • Spring 2025  - Eligibilities that started on or before 2026-01-15, where the free school meal end date is either not present or between 2025-10-03 and 2026-01-15 (inclusive)
  • Summer 2026 - Eligibilities that started on or before 2026-05-21, where the free school meals end date is either not present or between 2026-01-16 and 2026-05-21 (inclusive)
• Suspensions and permanent exclusions - See how to manage these here: View behaviour reporting
   
  • Autumn 2025 - All suspensions and permanent exclusions with start dates between 2025-01-01 and 2025-07-31
  • Spring 2026  - All suspensions and permanent exclusions with start dates between 2025-04-21 (Easter Monday) and 2025-12-31
  • Summer 2026 - All suspensions and permanent exclusions with start dates between 2025-08-01 and 2026-04-05 (Easter Sunday)

This includes both enrolled and unenrolled students. For more information, please visit: Data items 2025 to 2026

Additional resources

We also have the following articles that provide further guidance for each census.

School Census

Preparing for the school census - This article serves as an introduction to administering the census,  including details on the necessary permissions, data verification, etc.

Census Summary Inspection - This article covers each table that can appear in the School census and provides overviews of the information recorded in the tables.

School Census FAQ - This guide lists the most common questions that schools ask regarding the School Census.

Workforce Census

Workforce Census Guide - This article covers the preparation and running of your Workforce Census, along with guidance on resolving errors and queries.

Workforce Census FAQ - This article lists the common queries raised by schools and provides detailed answers.

CES Census

CES Census Guide - This article covers the preparation and administration of the CES Census.