This page contains the following guidance for completing the Spring 2026 School Census. It will be updated as and when we receive updates from the DfE.
The Spring 2026 Census is now available to run.
- Important Dates
- Known Issues
- Resolved Issues
- Read DfE Guidance
- Book onto a Census Webinar
- Read the Bromcom Guidance
- Watch Webinar Recordings
- Additional Guidance
Access: The permissions required to run and troubleshoot the Spring Census are found in the Census Module of Config>Setup>Roles and Permissions. Each tick box on the right determines which functions are visible/available on the page for users with the selected Role.
See also: How to get started with Roles & Permissions
Important Dates
Census Date – Thursday 15th January 2026
Return Date – Wednesday 11th February 2026
Known Issues
09/01/2026 – CAS-454864-B2W6D9: Withdrawal group Staff with Post (SWF) set to Teaching Assistant are not showing in class information table under Support staff column.
Resolved Issues
16/01/2026 : The DfE have advised that there is an error in the Selected Time specified in the census file. As such it will be necessary to update the Selected Time on the Census Return. More information can be found in the below guide: How to Change the Selected Time on a Census Return
Read DfE Guidance
DfE guidance on the Census is published here and includes the main changes compared to previous years.
For DfE guidance on generating and submitting a return, see here.
Book onto a Census Webinar
Reserve a place on the free Census Webinars by selecting the relevant links below.
Pre Census Checks
Primary Dates
- Tuesday 6th January – 1.30pm – 2.45pm
- Thursday 8th January – 9.30am – 10.45am
- Wednesday 14th January – 9.30am – 10.45am
Secondary Dates
- Wednesday 7th January – 9.30am – 10.45am
- Friday 9th January – 9.30am – 10.45am
- Tuesday 13th January – 1.30pm – 2.45pm
How to Generate a Census
Primary Dates
- Tuesday 6th January – 3.15pm – 4.15pm
- Thursday 8th January – 11.15am – 12.15pm
- Wednesday 14th January – 11.15am – 12.15pm
Secondary Dates
- Wednesday 7th January – 11.15am – 12.15pm
- Friday 9th January – 11.15am – 12.15pm
- Tuesday 13th January – 3.15pm – 4.15pm
Read the Bromcom Guidance
Click on the links below for Bromcom School Census Spring 2026 guidance.
Spring 2026 School Census Guide
Spring 2026 Error Resolutions Guide
Additional detailed guidance for resolving the most common errors and queries is available in the Help Centre.
Simply type in the Error or Query Number into the Search box
Watch Webinar Recordings
Click the links below to watch a recording of our Spring 2026 sessions. You will need to enter your name and email address to view the recording.
Primary How to Generate a Census
Secondary How to Generate a Census
Additional Guidance
To record children receiving Free School Meals under the criteria for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), refer to the DfE guidance on Free School Meal eligibility.
For Census Reporting see How to View Census Reports
For Pupil Premium see How to Manage Pupil Premium Students
For Attendance Reporting see How to Access Attendance Analysis Exports and How to Access Attendance Reports