Use this guide to resolve School Census Query 2485
DfE Validation:
- Autumn If <AttendanceReason> = E there should be at least one exclusion or suspension record with a <StartDate> between 2024-04-01 and 2024-05-26 inclusive
- Spring If <AttendanceReason> = E there should be at least one exclusion or suspension record with a <StartDate> between 2024-08-01 and 2024-12-31 inclusive
- Summer If <AttendanceReason> = E there should be at least one exclusion or suspension record with a <StartDate> between 2025-01-01 and 2025-04-20 inclusive
DfE Explanation:
- Pupil attendance indicates they are suspended or permanently excluded but no suspension or permanent exclusion is recorded.
| Census | Suspensions or permanent exclusions |
|---|---|
| Autumn 2024 | All suspensions and permanent exclusions with start dates between 2024-04-01 and 2024-05-26 |
| Spring 2025 | All suspensions and permanent exclusions with start dates between 2024-08-01 (Easter Monday) and 2024-12-31 |
| Summer 2025 | All suspensions and permanent exclusions with start dates between 2025-01-01 and 2025-04-20 (Easter Sunday) |
This guide will look at troubleshooting this Census Query for:
- Permissions
- Checking the Exclusion Record exists
- Checking attendance marks for E codes
- Permanent Exclusion
- If the Exclusion starts in one term and ends in another
Read Guidance:
- For further guidance on Bromcom Census see here
- For DFE guidance on Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions see here.
Checking the Exclusion record exists
Access: The minimum permission required to view Exclusions on a Student’s Profile Page are found under the Framework Module > Students > New Student Details > Behaviour > Exclusions of Config > Setup > Roles & Permissions
If a student was excluded then the first thing to check is that the Exclusion is recorded against the student. This can be checked via the Student’s Profile Page > Behaviour > Exclusions
If the Exclusion does not exist, this can be added via the Student’s Profile Page > Behaviour, using the + button to add a new record:
For detailed guidance, please see our guide on How to Add Exclusions to a Student, here
Checking attendance marks for E codes
Access: To view Attendance via the Student’s Profile you would need access to Attendance under the Framework Module > Students > New Student Details > Attendance of Config > Setup > Roles & Permissions
Secondly, check that any attendance marks are accurately recorded for the Exclusion dates. If the student was not excluded but has E attendance codes, these will need to be removed so that the Census Query isn’t incorrectly triggered.
Attendance marks can be checked via the Student’s Profile > Attendance to review the E attendance codes, to ensure they accurately reflect the period of the Exclusion.
Another useful report to view this information is the Attendance Certificate Report, accessed via Reports > Attendance > Attendance Certificate
Access: The permissions for accessing this report can be found under the Attendance Module > Reports > Attendance Certificate of Config > Setup > Roles & Permissions
Enter Report Parameters:
Student – Name of required student
Day Start and Day End – Enter the dates that would cover the Exclusion record
Attendance – Which attendance is required e.g. AM / PM Only or Class Only
By Code/Meaning – Choose the required option, code will display the E codes
How the Attendance Certificate Report Displays:
Missing Exclusion Marks – these can be entered via Manage Attendance – see How To Manage Attendance Guide
Permanent Exclusion
If this relates to a student with a Permanent Exclusion you would also need to check their Exclusion record and the Governor’s Decision. In order for this to be picked up in the Census Return, the Governor’s Decision should be recorded.
To check this, open the Student’s Profile > Behaviour > Exclusions
Click to highlight the required Exclusion, then double click to open the Exclusion Record:
Once the Exclusion Record is opened, navigate to Confirmation and Appeals Record for the exclusion. Here is where the Governor’s decision is recorded.
If the Exclusion starts in one term and ends in another
The query will trigger if a student’s exclusion starts in one term and does not end until the next term. For example if a student is excluded before February half term and this doesn’t end until after February half term. This will require a return level note to either your Local Authority (if they submit the return on your behalf) or added onto Collect when submitting your return. Please refer to the DFE Acceptable Notepad Entries sheet found on the DFE site to obtain the correct wording to be submitted.
Important: Once any changes have been made, you will need to create a new Census return completing save and validate, to retrieve the amendments and clear the error/query.