School Workforce Census

The School Workforce Census is a new return from the DCSF that will eventually replace a number of other returns currently being run by schools. A number of Local Authorities piloted the census in 2008 and now in 2009 Wokingham Borough Council has joined the pilot. We have already successfully returned the January and May 2009 censuses with 20 pilot schools. In October ALL schools will be required to complete the census.

There are three main reasons for the new Census :

To improve and standardise the data on members of the school workforce.
It is a part of work going on to develop the Children’s Workforce, in line with the Children’s Plan and the 2020 Children and Young People’s Workforce Strategy.
To reduce and rationalise surveys and data collections currently being sent to schools

The DCSF guidance documents for schools provide comprehensive information about the requirements of the census. All documents and guidance can be found at Teachernet

All information about preparing data for the census can be found within your SIMs software and is updated regularly.

Important Updates and summary guidance for Wokingham Schools has been provided on this page, these include:

About the census - summary of requirements
Wokingham guidance
Latest DCSF newsletter- updates on returns and amendments to guidelines

If you have any queries regarding the School Workforce Census, please contact us via email to:

jenny.walter@wokingham.gov.uk

The School Workforce Census requires that all members of school staff are given a Privacy Notice. Click on this link for more information and templates for Privacy notices.

Important Updates

The DCSF no longer require a centrally employed return from schools. The LA will be providing all necessaray data for staff that visit your school regularly but are employed by the LA. You do not need to input any data on centrally employed staff in Personnel 7 unless you require this information for your own purposes.

The timing of the SWF has changed. From 2010 there will only be one census return per year, this will be in the Autumn term. The autumn 2009 (1st October) and Spring 2010 (21st January) census will run as scheduled. Data items required and the exact timing of the Autumn 2010 census will be provided shortly.