School census
2. What is the school census
The school census is an electronic collection of pupil data from primary, secondary, special schools and pupil referral units, which takes place three times a year.
For more information about the school census, contact the Data, Research and Information Management Team or by viewing the Department of Education School Census Guides, including COLLECT guides.
Privacy Notices
Fair Processing Notices are now referred to as Privacy Notices. Your school must inform all parents and carers that you hold personal data about each pupil and explain how you intend to use the data.
To do this your school needs to send the parent or carer of every pupil a Privacy Notice. See our Data Protection pages.
Pupil Premium conditions of grant
Data from the School Census is used in determining which pupils attract the pupil premium. The pupil premium is paid in respect of four categories of pupil.
Looked After Children (LAC) are no longer identified in the school census and are collected from another source.
The PPG per pupil for 2022 to 2023 is as follows:
| Disadvantaged pupils | Pupil premium per pupil |
|---|---|
| Pupils in year groups reception to year 6 recorded as Ever 6 free school meals | £1,385 |
| Pupils in years 7 to 11 recorded as Ever 6 FSM | £985 |
| Looked-after children (LAC) defined in the Children Act 1989 as one who is in the care of, or provided with accommodation by, an English local authority | £2,410 |
| Previously looked-after children (PLAC) | £2,410 |
| Service children | Pupil premium per pupil |
|---|---|
| Pupils in year groups reception to year 11 recorded as Ever 6 service child or in receipt of a child pension from the Ministry of Defence | £320 |
Schools ICT run "live data" training courses for school census returns. More information can be obtained from Schools ICT.