School Census Summer 2026 - SIMS Next Gen (Step 2) Reviewing the return

Check and resolve errors and queries in preparation for completing the census. 

In SIMS Next Gen (SNG), every census begins in the Not active status. When you launch the census, the status changes to Draft.

At this stage, Returns Managers and Returns Operators can:

• View data in each section / sub-section for completeness and correctness
• Export section data to Excel to share / analyse / save data
• Resolve any errors / queries by correcting data at the source (in the MIS)
• Repopulate and revalidate sections to refresh the data included in the census.

NOTE The content of graphics (dates, names, etc.) are representative only and may not reflect the current return dates.

Census in Draft stage

1. Navigate to Statutory Process | Statutory Returns.
2. Select the current census return.
3. Key census information is presented in a table, with each section being a separate row.
   • The sections displayed vary depending on whether this is the Autumn, Spring or Summer census. These will, ultimately, constitute the reports submitted to the DfE.
   • The number of unresolved errors and queries against a section is displayed. The first time you visit this page, all your school's data is loaded.
     

Click the View section [1a] button to launch the section page, where you can see the specific information about the data relevant to that section. Alternatively, select the ^v [1b] dropdown arrow to display the individual section in the navigation sidebar.

Within sections, data is organised under sub-sections. For example, the Pupil characteristics section has three sub-sections: Pupils On-roll, Home addresses and Pupils Off-roll. Which sub-sections are collected depends on whether this is the Autumn, Spring or Summer census and your school type. The census only presents the sub-sections required for the current census.

Each sub-section is shown in an overview, with Errors and Queries [2] against that section identified.

Click the > arrow for each sub-section to view the errors and queries.

• In SIMS Next Gen, error codes are displayed against individual pupils to assist in easy resolution.
• In SIMS Next Gen, errors are coloured red.
• In SIMS Next Gen, queries are coloured orange.

1. Click the Error status [3a] filter button and select the "Pupils with errors"s option from the dropdown list to view only those pupils who have errors and queries.
2. Click the View all errors and queries [3b] button to display a list of all the errors and queries associated with the section; errors are shown first, followed by queries. Errors and queries relating to a single pupil ("This pupil") are listed at the top of the section [4c]. Those relating to a Group of pupils [4d] are listed at the bottom. Selecting each error and query in turn will show all the pupils with this error / query, with a link to their Pupil Profile.
3. Click the button in the coloured cell to view errors (coloured red) [3c] or queries (coloured orange) [3d].
   All errors and queries for individual pupils can also be viewed by selecting View Errors [3e] in the cell adjacent to their name.
   Additional information and guidance on resolution are displayed in the sidebar [4a]. This shows the relevant DfE error codes, what the error means and how to resolve it.

Currently, some errors cannot be resolved in SIMS Next Gen. Such errors will be identified as only editable in SIMS7. Where errors can be resolved in SIMS Next Gen, the link takes you to the relevant screen in SIMS Next Gen, e.g. Pupil Profile [4b]. From here, you can navigate to the relevant tab and resolve the erroneous data.

Return to the relevant census overview page from the section using the breadcrumbs [5].
Click the Revalidate section [6] option in the ... menu to re-fetch and revalidate the data for an individual section as you resolve errors and queries. In this way, you see the ever-reducing list of errors and queries.

Pupil search

Pupil search has been introduced to further assist in locating pupils. Type the name of the pupil in the Search by pupil name [3f] bar. This is a standard pupil search that becomes active when the first character is entered and adjusts dynamically as additional characters are added. Search by forename and surname is supported.

Adding notes

The notes field allows you to record helpful information about each section as you work through it, resolving errors and queries and reviewing data.

1. Click Add Note [7a].
   A sidebar opens for that section. Click the + Add note [7b] button.
   Two fields are shown. Title is a free-form entry field limited to 100 characters. It is advisable to give your note a short but clear title. Note is a free-form entry field limited to 1000 characters, allowing you to add more detail.
2. Click the Save button to save your note (or Cancel to discard the changes) [7c]. 
   Further notes can be added by selecting the + Add note [7d] button. Notes are displayed in chronological order, with the most recent note displayed in the Notes column.

NOTE When selecting the Close button, the message 'Discard changes? You have unsaved changes that will be lost' is displayed. Select Cancel to return to the Add note side panel, or Discard the changes to close the side panel. Any information you entered before you discarded the note is lost.

Continue to work through each sub-section in turn, checking the data and resolving errors and queries. Where changes are made, and errors and queries are resolved, revalidate the sections until they are completed to your satisfaction.

Moving to Ready to review

Once all data has been checked and errors resolved, the Returns Manager can take a snapshot of the census by clicking the Mark as ready to review [8] button on the census overview page.

A pop-up message will ask you to confirm that you are happy to refresh the data and lock the census for review. Click the Mark as ready to review button to continue (or Cancel to return to your Draft census return).

When confirmed, your census is no longer in Draft; it is now at the Review stage.

• All section data is refreshed to include the latest updates.
• The census becomes locked - any changes in the MIS will no longer be reflected in the census.
• At this stage, you can view or download the Summary Report, export data to Excel, and review it with the Head Teacher or other authorised staff. 

IMPORTANT When your return is in Review status, you can only move it back to Draft or Authorise it. This is because the Review stage displays a snapshot of the data at the time the review was initiated. Any updates made in SIMS Next Gen will not automatically appear in the Census while the return is in Review. If, during the review, any missing or incorrect data is identified, you can make the necessary changes in SIMS Next Gen, then move the return status back to Draft and re‑validate that section and then move it back to Review stage prior to authorising.