Updates: Alternative provision census
2024
Changes from the previous AP census
The data item 'Ethnicity' has been updated.
The data item 'Ethnicity' has been updated.
Updated the dates for 2025.
Updated the dates for the 2025 AP census.
Changes from the previous AP census
Updated for the 2025 AP census.
Updated the early years pupil premium section and the template letter for 2025.
Submitting and checking a return
Updated the dates for the 2025 AP census.
Submitting and checking a return
Updated the 'list of COLLECT queries and explanatory notes to help you complete the alternative provision census'.
Updated the collection periods in free school meal (FSM) eligibility.
Updated the collection period dates. The collection period is 21 January 2023 to 20 January 2024 inclusive.
Updated the collection period dates to '20 January 2023 to 18 January 2024 inclusive'.
2023
Updated the gender codes.
Updated the dates for the 2024 AP census.
Updated the dates in the list of which pupils to include and the information on home-schooled pupils.
Changes from the previous AP census
Added the change to the gender current (N00065) data item for the 2024 census.
Updated the template letter in the post looked after arrangements section. Updated the dates in the free school meal eligibility and collection periods, post looked after arrangements and early years pupil premium sections.
Submitting and checking a return
Added a link to the alternative provision census 2024: technical specification. Updated the dates in the sections on the local authority early years funding report, early years pupil premium funding report, high needs funding report, pupil premium funding report, deprivation pupil premium and service child pupil premium.
Updated the information for the ethnicity codes: BEUR, CHNE, CHKC, CMAL, CSNG, CTWN and COCH.
Submitting and checking a return
Added a list of COLLECT queries and explanatory notes to help you complete the alternative provision census.
2022
Updated the dates for the 2023 AP census.
Updated text about pupils attending a school that is not maintained by a local authority but their place is funded by the local authority.
Changes from the previous AP census
Added information about the changes to the existing data items for post looked after arrangements and free school meal eligibility.
Updated the dates for 2023 and the section on 'post looked after arrangements' including adding a new template letter. Added information to 'free school meal (FSM) eligibility' about recording children receiving free school meals under the criteria for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
Submitting and checking a return
Updated the dates in the 'Available COLLECT reports' section.
2021
Added the census dates for 2022.
Updated to reflect that for the 2022 AP census, you have to include pupils if they were born between September 2002 and 31 December 2019 (pupils aged 2 to 18).
Changes from the previous AP census
For the 2022 census, we have updated the ethnicity codeset.
Submitting and checking a return
Added a section on available COLLECT reports.
Added code 'WNIR' to ethnicity.
Added a section on unusual circumstances.
2020
Added further information to the 'Pupils who may appear on the AP census and school census' section.
Submitting and checking a return
Added more information to 'Submitting and checking a return'.
New section added.
New section added.
Changes from the previous AP census
New section added.
New section added.
New section added.
New section added.
Statutory requirement, data sharing and regulations
New section added.