School Census 2007 (Formerly known as PLASC)

The School Census replaces PLASC in 2007 for all schools. High schools will already be familiar with completing School Census as they ceased to do PLASC in 2005.
The Dfes requires all schools to complete their 2007 School Census return on 18th January 2007. Please ensure that your School Census file reaches the Information & Research Centre no later than 24th January 2007. It is important that files are received by this date in order that the budget share is issued as early as possible in February.
Files should be sent using the AnyComms (AVCO) data transfer system.

The Rationale behind the School Census
This a termly method of data collection with different data required on each collection. Data will now be collected in January, May and September. The Dfes has begun a data rationalisation process, in order to reduce and rationalise the number of surveys and data collections currently being sent to schools. The School Census therefore includes data items that have previously been collected via a number of other surveys. Much of the data should already be held in your schools' MIS ready for transfer on census day and so the need for data entry on the day is kept to a minimum.

This is a major change for Nursery, Primary and Special schools as there are a number of additional items being collected. The School Census 2007 comprises the data collected in PLASC 2006, 7 new items (Member of SEN Unit or special class indicator, resourced provision indicator, provision of extended services, number of places, number of nursery places, full address and language code), plus data that will allow the following surveys to be dropped :

• Gifted and Talented Cohort Identification
• Termly Exclusions
• Absence Surveys (termly and annual)
• Contextual and Absence checking exercise
• some elements of the September Pupil Count
• The School Census is the Department for Transport's preferred mechanism for collecting data to measure the local transport plan mandatory indicator: Mode share of journey to school (LTP4). This applies equally to schools which have an approved travel plan and those which do not.

What you can do now
It is absolutely essential that you read the full Dfes guidance, which is available on Teachernet, particularly with reference to the new modules, as there have been a number of changes to the definitions.

If you need help gathering your Exclusions data please contact:

Phoenix Schools only
Full instructions on how to produce and send your School Census return are on the ICT Solutions website. You should now be using Phoenix Version 1.37. There are plenty of checks you can do to your data before census date. We strongly advise that you do these checks and do not wait until census day. Guidance regarding the preparations for School Census are on the ICT Solutions website. We would also encourage you to complete at least one School Census 'dry-run', as per the guidance.

School Census 2007 Presentations
Because of the importance to your school of the accuracy and timeliness of this return, we strongly advise anyone who is not confident with completing the new return to attend one of the four presentations below- there is no charge.

The presentation will give users an opportunity to see a demonstration of the 2007 School Census module within your Phoenix Gold software, understand the processes and procedures required and be aware of deadlines for completing and returning the data. There will also be an opportunity to ask general questions that you may have concerning the School Census return.

Non-Phoenix Schools
Schools are requested to use their School Census compliant software to produce their School Census return. Non-Phoenix schools will need to contact their appropriate support team.

Dates for your diaries
Could you please note the following dates in your diaries for the School Census returns due in 2007:

• Spring Census - 18th January 2007
• Summer Census - 17th May 2007
• Autumn Census - 20th September 2007