Find practical guidance, templates, tools and useful links to help you manage statutory data collections and maintain accurate school data.
Autumn 2026 School Census guidance
Choose the guidance pack for your school phase. Use the Quick Guide first, consult the Supporting Guide for detailed rules, and complete the Checklist before submitting your return.
Quick guide
Key dates, preparation, validation and submission
Supporting guide
Data definitions, collection periods, changes and funding-sensitive information
Census checklist
Final data quality and submission checks
Support: Noelia.Rufete-Gil@hackney.gov.uk
Free School Meals: recording eligibility in your MIS
Guidance for schools on recording Targeted FSM (TFSM) and Expanded FSM (EFSM) from autumn 2026.
The guidance explains how to:
- Use the Current Tier and Eligibility Last Checked fields in the Synergy FSM report
- Record FSM categories, start dates, verification dates and end dates
- Retain previous FSM history when a pupil’s eligibility changes
- Check and record eligibility for pupils with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
- Review FSM records for pupils joining from another local authority
- Complete the compulsory UK country and FSM category fields
Related resources
Need support?
For School Census recording queries: Noelia.Rufete-Gil@hackney.gov.uk
For FSM eligibility queries: pupilbenefits@hackney.gov.uk
Hackney Provider Portal: submitting Actuals
Use these step-by-step videos to help you submit your setting’s Actuals records: