Key Dates for the 2026 Workforce Census

• Census date 05/11/2026 

• Absence Start date 01/09/2025  

• Absence End Date 31/08/2026

• Continuous Contract Start Date 01/09/2025 

• Continuous Contract End Date 05/11/2026

• Deadline for submission to DfE 04/12/2026

Please refer to DfE guidance published here - the main change this year being clarification of the reporting of cases where less than half a day has been lost:

• Only sickness and pregnancy related absences are collected- and only for classroom staff

• Working days lost should be recorded to the nearest half day

  • Absences less than a half day do not need to be reported

  • If they are reported, then working days lost should be equal to zero.

  • If contracted to work less than half a day and absent that day, working days lost should be recorded as a half day.including the main changes compared to previous years (important changes to the collection of Disability and Ethnicity data).

The DfE list of acceptable notepad entries for queries on the school workforce census can found by clicking here.