Date: 13/01/2026
DfE School Census Date: Thurs 15th January 2026
Return Date: Tues 20th January 2026
It is important that you upload your census file as soon as possible and by Tuesday 20th January. This will enable our team to check your data and liaise with you regarding any queries on your return.
We are aware that this may be your first census. If you are having any concerns at all, please contact us by emailing census@devon.gov.uk giving details of the problem and a contact telephone number, and someone from the team will contact you to help.
1. DfE known issues
The DfE have advised that there is an error in the Selected Time specified in the census file. As such it will be necessary to update the Selected Time on the Census Return.
Please see the guide on amending this in Bromcom here
2. Bromcom users
The DfE Validation files for the Spring 2026 school census have not yet been applied so incorrect errors may be generated.
For secondary schools; Withdrawal group Staff with Post (SWF) set to Teaching Assistant are not showing in class information table under Support staff column. This means that the classes table may not populate with the school support staff correctly – please ensure you check this on your census and amend accordingly.
For Primary Schools; The classes panel within the census is not automatically populated so all the classes information will need to be entered. You can run a group report to show the details of the classes that need to be added in.
Further updates to known issues
Please check the Bromcom school census pages for updates to the known issues here; Bromcom spring 2026 school census known issues