This page contains the following guidance for managing Post-16 Learning Aims for the Autumn 2026 Census. The guidance will be updated as and when further information is received from the DfE.
For further information, documentation and links to live training for the Autumn Census, see here.
IMPORTANT: It is the school’s responsibility to review the DfE guidance to ensure all required information is submitted as part of the School Census Return.
- For the DfE documentation and guidance on Autumn Census, please see here.
Important Dates
- Census date – Thursday 1st October 2026
- Return date – Wednesday 28 October 2026
THE SCREENSHOTS USED IN THE GUIDE ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY DIFFER IN A LIVE SCHOOL’S MIS.
- Expand each item for guidance on managing Post 16 Census data in Bromcom.
- To print this as a checklist, click ‘Collapse All’ (button on the right), then right-click the page and select ‘Print’.
- To print this as a full guide, click ‘Expand All’, then right-click the page and select ‘Print’.
Post 16 Process
All students in National Curriculum Year Group 12 or above who meet the Post-16 criteria must have a Programme Aim with at least one associated Learning Aim.
Important: When initially setting up Programme Aims and Learning Aims, follow the correct sequence of steps to ensure that Learning Aims are correctly linked to the Programme Aim:
- Assign Programme Aims
- Assign Exam Levels to Teaching Classes
- Assign Learning Aims – Bromcom recommends using Courses as the preferred method.
The first step in managing Post-16 Learning Aims is to ensure that the Qualification Number (QN or QAN) data is current and up to date.
Navigate to Config > Curriculum > QN Data.
Select the Update QN Data button in the top-left corner of the screen to begin the process.
A confirmation pop-up will appear — click Proceed to continue.
A notification will then appear in the top-right corner of Bromcom confirming that the request was successful.
Once the update is complete, a red notification will appear on the bell icon in the top-right corner of Bromcom.
For further information, see How to Update and Edit QN Data.
A Programme Aim records the overall programme of study a student is undertaking, such as a 16–19 Study Programme, Transition Programme or T-Level. It provides the framework to which the student’s Learning Aims are linked.
Programme Aims must be assigned to the new Year 12 cohort at the start of the academic year and reviewed and updated, where necessary, for Year 13. This includes the Year 13 cohort that left in the previous academic year.
Important:
- A student can have only one of each Programme Aim type. For example, a student cannot have two 16-19 Study Programmes.
- Re-takes: If a student retakes a year, extend the Planned End Date of the Programme Aim via Modules > Curriculum > Manage Programme Aims.
- Leavers: When processing a leaver from the Student List page, the Programme Aim End Date is automatically updated and the status changed to Completed.
- Bromcom cannot provide guidance on the appropriate Start Date and Planned End Date. Refer to the DfE Census Guidance for information on determining these dates.
This section covers:
Assigning Programme Aims
Programme Aims can be assigned in bulk to all students of the same Programme Type.
Navigate to Modules > Curriculum > Manage Programme Aims.
Note: Programme Aims can also be added individually via Student Profile > Enrolment > Programme Aims With Learning Aims.
In the Manage Programme Aims panel, select Choose Students.
Ensure the new academic year is selected from the dropdown, then select the Student radio button. The blue spyglass icon is displayed; select it to open the Student Selector.
Note: The example below demonstrates assigning Programme Aims to all Year 12 students for the new academic year.
To display all Year 12 students, select Year 12 from the Year Group dropdown, then select Find to update the results.
Click Select All.
The selected students will be displayed in the Selection List.
Click Apply to confirm the selection.
Use the checkboxes in the left-hand column to select the students requiring the same Programme Type, then click Add.
Note: Where students are to be assigned different Programme Types, complete the process in separate batches.
Select the required Programme Type from the dropdown.
Enter the Start Date and Planned End Date.
Note: The Status will default to Continuing and Traineeship can be selected if applicable.
Click Apply.
The added Programme Aims will now be displayed in the Manage Programme Aims panel.
Reviewing Programme Aims
Existing Programme Aims must be reviewed and updated, where necessary, for Year 13 students, including students who left in the previous academic year.
To review and update Programme Aims for individual students, navigate to the Student List page by selecting Students in the left-hand menu.
Select the required student(s), then click View.
Note: When multiple students have been selected from the Student List page, a Next button is available to navigate between their profiles.
Within the Student Profile, select the Enrolment tab on the left-hand side.
Use the All dropdown in the top-right corner to navigate directly to the Programme and Learning Aims panel, or scroll down to locate it manually.
To edit a Programme Aim, select the pencil edit icon on the right-hand side.
Make any required updates to the programme details, then select Save.
Updates can also be managed in bulk via Modules > Curriculum > Manage Programme Aims. Select the required students, then select Edit.
Once Programme Aims are assigned, the next step in the process is to add Exam Levels to Teaching Classes.
Navigate to Groups > Group Type = Teaching Class.
To view the Exam Levels currently assigned to classes, select the Add/Remove Additional Column icon at the top right, select Exam Level, then select Save.
This adds Exam Level as a column, making it easy to identify where updates are required.
Note: In the example below, the results have been filtered by Year Groups 12 and 13 to display the relevant classes that require an Exam Level.
Updates to Exam Levels can be made in bulk via Actions > Quick Edit.
Note: Classes can be selected in batches based on their Exam Level, or all classes can be selected, reviewed and updated at once.
Select Exam Level from the Attribute dropdown, then select the required Exam Level from the Value dropdown.
If completing the process in batches based on Exam Level, select Update.
If all classes have been selected, select Review to amend the Exam Level where required before selecting Update.
Use the Amended column to select the required Exam Levels, then select Update.
The Groups page updates to display the amended Exam Levels.
With the Exam Levels assigned, the next step is to assign Learning Aims for the new Year 12 cohort and review and update, where necessary, the Learning Aims for Year 13.
Learning Aims are linked to the Programme Aim and record the individual courses or qualifications being undertaken.
IMPORTANT: Accurate definition and maintenance of student Learning Aims are fundamental to Post-16 returns. Ensure the setup of Learning Aims is thoroughly checked, as this directly impacts funding.
Note:
- Based on current DfE advice, Learning Aims apply only to Post-16 students, that is, students in NC Year Group 12 and above. Any Learning Aims attached to other year groups can be deleted in bulk via Modules > Curriculum > Manage Learning Aims.
- Each Post-16 class should have at least one Learning Aim associated with it. Learning Aims can be assigned directly to a class via Groups > Teaching Class, or through a Course with a Learning Aim assigned via Groups > Course. Students are then assigned to the Learning Aims through their membership of the relevant classes.
This section covers:
Assigning Learning Aims
There are three different methods for assigning Learning Aims:
- Groups > Course
- Groups > Teaching Class
- Modules > Curriculum > Manage Learning Aims
Bromcom recommends using Groups > Course, as this is the most efficient method. Assigning a Learning Aim to a Course automatically applies it to the associated Teaching Classes and their students.
Using this method also allows Learning Hours to be updated automatically via Modules > Census > Learning Hours Maintenance > Calculate from Courses.
The following guidance focuses on using Groups > Course.
Navigate to Groups > Group Type = Course.
Either select New to create a Course, or select an existing Course then View.
Review the Planned Qualification and Non-Qualification Hours in the Additional Group Details panel.
Important: Ensure these hours are accurate, as they are used later in the Census process when updating Learning Hours via Modules > Census > Learning Hours Maintenance.
To ensure the Learning Aim links correctly to the Programme Aim, the Teaching Class(es) must be assigned to the course first, before the Learning Aim.
Select Add New Record within the Classes panel.
Select the required class(es) from the dropdown, set the Start and End Dates for the current academic year, then select the tick icon to save the changes.
Note: Teaching Classes exist within a single academic year, with a new Teaching Class created for the following academic year.
Add the QN Code to the Learning Aim Details panel by selecting Add New Record.
Assign the required Learning Aim by entering the QN Code or Name in the Description field, then select the appropriate result. Set the Planned End Date, then select the tick icon to save the changes.
Note: When adding a two-year course, ensure the next academic year has been created first. Otherwise, the Planned End Date of the Learning Aim will need to be manually extended via Modules > Curriculum > Manage Learning Aims.
The Learning Aim will now be assigned to all students of the teaching class(es) associated with the course.
For further information, refer to How to Create a Course and How to Manage Learning Aims.
Reviewing Learning Aims
Existing Learning Aims for Year 13 students should be reviewed and updated, where necessary, to ensure they accurately reflect the courses or qualifications being undertaken. This includes reviewing Learning Aims for the Year 13 cohort that left in the previous academic year.
Navigate to Modules > Curriculum > Manage Learning Aims.
In the Manage Learning Aims panel, select Choose Students.
Select the appropriate Academic Year from the dropdown, then select the Student radio button.
Use the blue spyglass icon to open the Student Selector, select the required students, then click Apply.
To update Learning Aim details, such as extending Planned End Dates or changing a Learning Aim Status, select the required students, then select Edit.
Make any necessary changes, then select Apply.
It is important to check that Learning Aims are correctly linked to a Programme Aim to avoid Census errors. To easily identify any unlinked Learning Aims, use Modules > Curriculum > Manage Programme Aims.
Unlinked Learning Aims are identified by an exclamation mark in the Learning Aim Counter column.
Select the exclamation mark to open the student record and review the issue.
Unlinked Learning Aims appear in the Learning Aims (Not Attached to a Programme Aim) panel. Typically, this occurs when the Learning Aim Start Date or Planned End Date falls outside the date range of the Programme Aim.
The screenshot below demonstrates that the Learning Aim has a Start Date of 28/08/2026, while the Programme Aim Start Date is 30/08/2026.
To rectify the issue, select the pencil edit icon within the Learning Aims (Not Attached to a Programme Aim) panel.
Amend the Learning Aim dates accordingly, then select Save.
Note: The Learning Aim may not automatically display as linked to the Programme Aim after the dates are amended. Edit and save the Programme Aim without making any changes to update the Status of all related Learning Aims.
The Autumn Census requires the planned qualification and non-qualification hours that each student is expected to undertake during the upcoming curriculum year. These are recorded as Learning Hours.
Note: Bromcom recommends recording Learning Hours via Courses. For further information, refer to the Learning Aims section of this guide.
To import Learning Hours from Courses into the Census file, or to enter or update them manually, navigate to Modules > Census > Learning Hours Maintenance.
Select the Academic Year from the dropdown, then select the blue spyglass icon to open the Student Selector.
Select the students whose Learning Hours require updating, then select Go.
Update Learning Hours from Courses by selecting Calculate.
Make manual adjustments by updating individual cells or selecting students and using the bulk options at the top of the page.
Click Save to update any changes made and include the information in the Autumn Census Return.
For more information, refer to How to Manage Learning Hours Maintenance.
The Autumn Census collects each student’s Prior Attainment in English and Maths GCSE, or equivalent qualifications.
Prior Attainment must be recorded for both the current and previous academic years.
The table below outlines the data required:
| On roll in the previous academic year and in NC year 12 or above | On roll in the current academic year and in NC year 12 or above | Data required |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Previous year and existing current year fields populated |
| No | Yes | Only existing current year fields populated |
| Yes | No | Only previous year fields populated |
To review and update this information, navigate to Modules > Census > Student Prior Attainment.
Select one of the following options:
- Student – select the blue spyglass icon to open the Student Selector and select the required student(s).
- All Post 16 – select the All Post 16 radio button to select all Post-16 students.
- Find Incomplete Students – select this button to automatically select students with missing Prior Attainment data.
Select Go to display the selected students.
If using the Bromcom Examinations module, select all students then select Update from Exams at the top right to retrieve student qualifications from exam results information.
Note: Update from Exams works only for students who were Year 11 Candidates at the school. It will not retrieve qualification information for new Year 12 students joining from another school.
Otherwise, manually enter the qualification details using the individual dropdowns or Bulk Update.
If a student is Exempt from the funding requirements for English or Mathematics, select the Exempt box next to the relevant subject and enter the reason for exemption.
Update from Previous Census can be used to carry forward Prior Attainment information for Year 13 students that was submitted in the previous year.
Select Save at the top of the page to retain any changes made.
For more information, refer to How to set Student Prior Attainment.