Use the ESFA post-16 census tool
Check your post-16 census data and reduce common errors.
Applies to England
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) closed on 31 March 2025. All activity has moved to the Department for Education (DfE). You should continue to follow this guidance.
Access the post-16 census tool聽
For the 2024 to 2025 academic year, the opens and runs within your browser. We have changed from a downloadable Microsoft Excel file to improve accessibility and be compliant with government publishing standards.聽
Reduce common errors聽
Some institutions risk not getting the funding they should because of inaccurate data returns.聽
The tool supports you to return accurate post-16 school census data by helping you understand common errors and how they impact on the funding we calculate. It will be particularly useful to business managers and staff responsible for preparing and submitting the autumn school census return.聽
Understand how we use your data聽
Use our to understand how we use your data to calculate your 16 to 19 funding. The tool聽describes each element of the 16 to 19 funding formula (student numbers and retention rate for example) and which parts of the census data we use for each element. Each element is illustrated with example data.聽
Contact us聽
If you have questions after reading this information, or if there is anything else you need help with, you can find more support in our .