Date: 18th May 2026
DfE School Census Date: Thurs 21st May 2026
Return Date: Fri 22nd May 2026
1. Bromcom
Bromcom have confirmed that the summer census is now available to run and earlier known issues relating to errors E2500, E2510 and 1881Q have been resolved. If you do get any of these errors/queries they are most likely genuine and will need to be resolved.
There is however, the following known issue unresolved;
- Census does not run if you have an address with street longer than 50 characters (3rd line can apply workaround).
Early Years Hours
Bromcom guidance is incorrectly advising that hours at setting must equal total funded hours. This is incorrect, hours at setting can be more than the funded hours.
2. Additional Information
Free school meals guidance
Some guidance has been published ahead of the changes to free school meals eligibility which come into effect from the start of the 2026/27 academic year.
- Free school meals: guidance for schools and local authorities – GOV.UK – link to main FSM guidance for schools and local authorities
- Free school meals expansion grant: methodology – GOV.UK – separate advice on a new grant that is being made available to ensure pupils eligible under the expanded FSM criteria attract funding (this is also referenced in the FSM guidance for schools and local authorities)
- Free meals in further education guide – GOV.UK – guidance for further education providers