MIS

Overview

This article explains how to export a School Census file in XML format from Juniper MIS for your Statutory Returns in the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.

Registered independent schools do not complete a Census every term. Instead, they complete a School-Level Annual School Census (SLASC) in the Spring term.

Key dates, deadlines and any changes for the current collection are shown on the Collection Info tab from within the School Census page of Juniper MIS. This article focuses on the steps you follow to complete the School Census, whichever collection period is open.

Prerequisites

• Check your Census details in the MIS are correct before you begin. Confirm that your Institution details, Minimum Year Group and other key settings are correct. For more information, see MIS: How do I check that my Institution details are correct before I run a School Census?
• Make sure all pupil data is as accurate and complete as possible before generating the export, because errors found afterwards must be fixed at source in the MIS.
• You must have the appropriate access permissions to run statutory exports.

Review the key dates and changes for the Census

Before you start, review the information for the Collection Period you are completing:

1. Select Statutory.

2. Select School Census to open the Collection Info tab:

   

3. Select your Collection period at the top of the page. This defaults to the current census, but you can select a different period, for example, to check dates for an upcoming collection:

   

4. Review the key dates, deadlines and any DfE changes shown for that collection.

We regularly update the key dates and changes for each collection up to date of the Collection Info page. Check back here to keep up to date for the current and future Census. 

Complete your School Census

Follow these steps to generate and download your School Census file in XML format from either of the Statutory / School Census tabs:

1. Select Export Census:

   

2. From Step 1 - Data: 

   

   1. Select the appropriate Export type from Spring, Summer or Autumn depending on the Census.
   2. Select Next.

3. From Step 2 - Super Summary, which displays all pupils selected for the School Census alongside their key data fields: 

   

   1. Review the pupil data carefully. Cells highlighted in orange or red indicate a warning or error. Hover over them to view details of what is incorrect or missing:

      
      

      Where possible, fix the errors at source in the MIS before continuing. You can proceed and fix them in the output file, but fixing them in the MIS is strongly recommended.

      To remove a pupil from the export, uncheck the box next to their name, then select Reload Page:

   2. Select Next.
4. From Step 3 - Additional Information:
   1. Confirm any details unique to your current collection. This step's content changes from Census to Census. 
   2. Select Next.
5. Step 4 – Exporting opens. A progress bar appears while the Census file is generated. This step takes a few seconds. Wait for it to complete.

6. Step 5 - Result opens when the export is complete. It comprises four tabs:

   

   1. The School Summary Report displays your Census data in DfE format, including the collection name, version number, and a count of errors and queries. Review this carefully. 

      To print a copy from your browser, select Ctrl + P.

   2. The Validation Report shows any errors or warnings identified at school level. 

      We strongly recommend you review these and return to the MIS to fix them at source where possible.

   3. The Validation Errors List shows pupil-level errors and warnings, including detailed descriptions of what is wrong. This is the most detailed view for identifying data issues before submission.

   4. When you are satisfied with the content of your submission, select the File Download tab, then select Download export to save your submission file:

      

Outcome

The XML file is saved to the Downloads folder on your device and is ready for submission to the DfE.

If you need to download a Census file again later, you can do so from All Census Exports. For more information, see MIS: How do I view old School Census files?

Tips and best practices

1. Run the Census Export well before the DfE deadline shown on the Collection Info tab, so you have time to identify and fix validation errors at source, re-export, and submit a clean file.
2. If you are unsure whether a data item applies to your school type, refer to the DfE guidance on the GOV. UK website (Complete the school Census).

Next steps

After downloading your XML file:

1. If your validation report contains errors, resolve them in the MIS, re-run the export, and submit the updated file.
2. When your submission is complete and correct, sign in to the DfE COLLECT portal to upload and submit your return before the deadline shown on Collection Info.
3. Address any queries in COLLECT with an approved notepad entry. See the GOV.UK website guidance in Complete the school Census, in the section Adding explanation notes for queries for more information.

Related information

• MIS: How do I check that my Institution details are correct before I run a School Census?
• MIS: How do I view old School Census files?
• Complete the school Census (GOV.UK website).

Updated 28 September 2026 09:35