SIMS Autumn Census 2023 guidance
Here’s our update on the latest guidance for the SIMS Autumn 2023 School Census, the first of the academic year!
Essential dates this year
- Census date 05/10/2023
- Attendance collected from 10/04/2023 to 31/07/2023
- Exclusions collected from 01/01/2023 to 31/07/2023
- Free School Meal Eligibility collected from 19/05/2023 to 05/10/2023
- Alternative Provision Placements collected from 18/05/2023 to 05/10/2023
- Funding and Monitoring collected from 01/08/2023 to 05/10/2023
- Learning Aims (6th forms only) collected from 01/08/2022 to 05/10/2023
Changes since last year:
Sex and gender identity
The gender current (N00065) data item has been replaced by the new sex (N00783) data item. The change from gender current to sex is being rolled out across all DfE collections over the next year or so. We will collect the sex data item (a value which identifies the sex of a person as recognised in law) on a mandatory basis.
The gender ID (N00784) data item has been created so schools, children’s homes, local authorities and other institutions can record gender identity for local use, should they wish to. We will not collect this data item.
Post 16 Work Placement Employer ID
The DfE has informed us that no new Employer IDs are being issued. It continues to be fine for schools to enter an Employer ID for a post-16 pupil's work placement, but they are looking into removing the check for Employer ID in validation error 2878.
If the DfE goes ahead with this change to validation error 2878 and includes the change in their validation file, we will provide the validation file via Fileset 2503.
Errors and Solutions
The Errors and Solutions for School Census Autumn 2023 can be accessed by clicking here.
The latest Fileset (2505) is now available. Please hit the download button and unzip the folder.
Then open SIMS and go to Tools | Setups | Import and click the yellow folder button to browse to the fileset, simply highlight it and choose Open then use the Import Fileset button.
Remember, you'll need to close and open SIMS again for it to take effect.
DfE Guidance is available from here
Download the 'Producing the Autumn Census' guides from ESS
All-Through
Special
Pupil Referral Unit
If you require any assistance or SIMS support please call us on 0345 222 1551 | Opt 3 or email misservicedesk@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk
Would you like us to do your Autumn Census for you?
Let us take it off your to-do list this month by contacting us. Looking ahead, we can do ALL of this year's returns for you - whether you are already an SBS customer or not!
