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School and pupil census

Census Checklist

For extended checklist see separate document called Census Preparation Checklist (PDF) [207KB]

Before Census Day

Check you can log into COLLECT using DfE Sign-In

Check your entry in GIAS is correct

Ensure that all relevant pupil data is correct on your MIS

Upload a file into COLLECT during the familiarisation period.

This will enable you to check for any unexpected errors and queries that may not necessarily show up in your Management Information System (MIS). Please note this familiarisation period closes at 4pm Friday 27th September 2024, and the Census will not show up when you log into COLLECT. The blade will return on Census day ready for you to upload and submit your return.

Census Day

Upload to COLLECT via Secure Access

Once you have had your return approved by your Head/ Data manager then:

Login to COLLECT via the DfE Sign-in https://services.signin.education.gov.uk/ and upload your xml file.

Check for Errors & Queries

Open your return and check for errors and queries within COLLECT. To clear errors, amendments may need to be made within your MI system and a new file uploaded. Queries need checking and either data amending within COLLECT along with an appropriate note. Please see notepad guidance notes for acceptable wording.

Submit your file

Once you've cleared all errors and attached all notes to queries within COLLECT you can submit your file.

After Census Day

Approval and Authorisation

If you are an LA Maintained School, NCC will check through your Census looking for additional errors. We may contact you if we have any questions regarding this. Once we are happy with your Census file we will approve it and send it to the DfE to authorise. If there is a problem with the data, the DfE will not approve the file and we will be in touch.

Post Approval Checking

NCC will continue to run checks on the Census data and may still get in touch with you with queries even after the DfE have approved your file.

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