Categories:
Headteacher, Data Manager, Administrators

Summer School Census

Dear Colleague,

The Summer School Census Day will take place on Thursday 21 May 2026. On this date, the COLLECT website will be accessible for submissions.

Submission Process for Maintained Schools

Maintained schools are required to submit their census file via COLLECT by the end of Wednesday 27 May 2026.  (Later dates are for Academies) Please ensure that any errors are addressed or explained by emailing the Data and Analytics Team,at: dataanalysisteam@oxfordshire.gov.uk so that notes can be added for authorisation by the DfE

Please note that the team cannot see notes added to your own system; only those entered in COLLECT are visible. If you have questions regarding errors or queries, contact us at: dataanalysisteam@oxfordshire.gov.uk. 

Authorisation and Headteacher Responsibilities

As part of the authorisation process, the Headteacher should verify both the census summary and associated reports. Uploading the return signifies the headteacher’s approval of the submitted data. 

Further Guidance and Support

For further guidance, please visit the Performance and Information Team page.

The DfE school census manual for the 2025 to 2026 academic year can be accessed on the DfE school census website. 

Familiarisation Process for Schools

The DfE recommends that all schools, where possible, upload a file output from their MIS into COLLECT during the familiarisation process. This allows schools to confirm that all required data is correctly output from their MIS into the summer census return. It also enables schools to identify and resolve any validation errors or queries before the collection goes live. 

Checklist: Steps to Complete the Census Return

  • Send the completed Census File to Oxfordshire Local Authority via COLLECT. Please ensure you upload the file with the XML suffix by 27 May 2026.
  • Run and check reports on COLLECT the day after submission. Reports must also be run again after any amendments are made in COLLECT. 
  • Send an email to the team at dataanalysisteam@oxfordshire.gov.uk  to explain any queries that you believe are correct. 

We would like to thank you for your continued support in helping schools successfully complete the recent spring census collection