The CESEW Census is a survey of Catholic schools in England and Wales.  It provides essential information on Catholic education from national to diocesan level, which helps underpin policy decisions at both local and national levels, and enables the CESEW to be proactive in promoting Catholic education.

The Census takes place in February and March 2010.  The CESEW has been working with Capita to reduce the burden on schools and colleges; a letter outlining the background and steps schools and colleges can take to prepare for the Census was issued on 7th September and can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

The CESEW Census 2010 will draw on the data provided for the PLASC and Census returns that are made in Wales and England respectively, although it will not be submitted at that time.  Apart from some very small changes to avoid ambiguity and reflect changes to local authority organisation, the questions for 2010 will be the same as those for 2009.

Schools and colleges have two options for completing the return.  Those schools using Capita SIMS software applications have received the facility, via the October 2009 release, to draw directly on data held within their IT-based management information systems to complete the CESEW Census.  This means that over 90% of the data will be entered into the Census return automatically.  In order to ensure that this data transfer goes smoothly, schools have been advised to check that the data held on their systems is up-to-date.  (Further details are contained in the letter emailed to schools and colleges on 7 September, available below)  SIMS users will be asked to submit their Census returns between 22 February and 19 March 2010. 

Other schools and colleges will continue to be able to complete an Excel form, which can be downloaded below.  Users of the Excel form will be asked to return their Census information between 8 February and 5 March 2010.

The detailed Guidance, including advice on the use of the CESEW-SIMS software, can be downloaded below.  Where Catholic schools and colleges have queries relating to any aspect of the CESEW Census, including the use of the CESEW-SIMS application, they should contact Michael Chalk at census@cesew.org.uk. Schools and colleges licensed to use SIMS should continue to contact their normal helpdesks for non-CESEW-related matters.