Dear Colleague
The dry run for the School Spring Census is now available under the following menu route:
School | Data | Export | Data Returns and School Census
Please see our Helpsheets on the Customer Portal using the links below for your school phase:
New data items for this return are as follows: –
Spring 2023 School Time
This optional data item records for each school, the total compulsory time pupils spend in school, in a typical 5 day week.
For all schools except nursery.
The first collection of this data will be in the Spring 2023 census.
See the below section for full details.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-the-school-census/data-items-2022-to-2023#school-time
To record this in Arbor go to School/School Details/Weekly Hours open and enter the details
Spring Census 2023 Young Carers
This data item records whether the pupil has been identified as a young carer and by whom.
The first collection of this data will be in the Spring 2023 census.
This information can be recorded on the Student Profile/Background
Spring Census 2023 Alternative Provision
This will become mandatory in spring census. Please see below extract from DfE guidance:-
“Since the start of the 2021 to 2022 academic year, we have asked all schools, including mainstream schools, special schools, and PRU/AP schools to record and submit new data on alternative provision (AP) placements that have been arranged for their pupils. These new data items will become mandatory from spring 2023.
Schools that have not arranged any placements during the collection period do not need to record and submit any information.
Until spring 2023, the collection of these data items is voluntary, and we will not pursue schools for a response, but we would encourage all participating schools to provide this valuable information.”
Full guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-the-school-census/data-items-2022-to-2023#alternative-provision-placement
To record an Alternative Provision placement for a student, go to the Education & Employment Status History section of the student profile. Click +Add and select Add Alternative Provision Placement.
NB if the provider is not available for selection, then this can be added via School/Linked Organisations/Educational Institutions.
The collection period for these placements is from the day after the previous census return to the ‘current’ census day inclusive.
In most cases, placement information should be recorded by the school that arranged the placement. The exception to this is where the alternative provision has been arranged by the Local Authority, but the pupil remains dual registered with the mainstream school and the Pupil Referral Unit/Alternative Provision school. In such cases, the mainstream school should record the required information.
Alternative provision company number
This data item records the Company House company number, where applicable, of the establishment within which the pupil has taken up an alternative provision placement.
The first collection of this data will be in the spring 2023 census.
See the alternative provision placement setting type section for full details.
Alternative provision placement postcode
This data item records the postcode, where applicable, of the establishment within which the pupil has taken up an alternative provision placement.
The first collection of this data will be in the spring 2023 census.
See the alternative provision placement setting type section for full details.
Information to be recorded on the day
Class activity and numbers
School/Data/Export/Data Return and select Classes from the left hand menu and select the class activity that best matches what the classis doing at the time of the census.
Full guidance can be found via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-the-school-census/data-items-2022-to-2023
Ensure to update the information for the number of teachers and teaching assistants in the class at the time.
- School Meals taken
On census day, if you have Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 students, the DfE asks you to return which students took their Universal Free School Meal Entitlement meal on census day.
Known errors and queries
On the day errors and queries please see the below link to further guidance to resolve the following :-
https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/sections/4404257516957-On-the-day-errors-and-queries
Query 4015
- If this is correct and no placements were provided, you won’t be able to resolve this query, and you’ll need to provide a validation note when submitting your Census.
Please remember that our helpdesk will be open from 8am until 17:00 so please do not hesitate to contact if you require further assistance.
