Guidance

School capacity survey: guide for local authorities

How local authorities should submit data for the annual school capacity survey (SCAP).

From:
Department for Education
Published
18 May 2021
Last updated
2318 May 20222023 — See all updates

The annual school capacity survey (SCAP) collects information on:

  • primaryprimary, secondary, and secondaryspecialist schoolprovision capacity for the current academic year
  • mainstream primary pupil number forecasts for the next 5 academic years
  • secondary pupil number forecasts for primary specialist placements for the next 75 academic years
  • plansmainstream forsecondary changespupil to the number offorecasts primary and secondary places for the next 37 academic years

Survey

  • pupil returnsnumber mustforecasts includefor mainstreamsecondary schoolsspecialist withplacements capacityfor inthe anynext of7 theacademic yearyears
  • plans groupsfor fromchanges reception to yearthe 11number onof 1primary May.and Thissecondary includes:

    • localmainstream authorityplaces maintainedfor schools
    • academies,the including:
      • freenext schools
      • city3 technologyacademic collegesyears
      • university technical colleges
      • studio schools

    The survey takes place every year in June and July.

    SCAP is a statutory collection. You must complete statutory collections by law unless there’s a good reason not to.

    Important dates

    20222023 SCAP dates:

    • collection opens on Monday 65 June
    • deadline for submitting your data is Friday 2928 July

    Submit your data

    You’ll need to:

    • register and log in with DfE Sign-in
    • use COLLECT to submit your data

    SCAP22SCAP23 documents

    Our guidance will help you complete the 20222023 school capacity collection:

    DoIf you need help?help

    DfE Sign-in

    Read the help page for guidance on DfE Sign-in.

    COLLECT

    Use the service request form for:

    • issues accessing COLLECT
    • any technical problems

    Data issues

    Email SCAP.PPP@education.gov.uk for advice on the SCAP guidance or any other issues.

    • Published 18 May 2021
    Last updated 2318 May 20222023 + show all updates

    1. Updated the page with information for the 2023 survey. Added 'School Capacity (SCAP) Survey 2023: guide for local authorities' and removed the 2022 guide. Also added 'Forecasting demand for SEND provision for SCAP23'.

    2. Added 'School Capacity (SCAP) Survey 2022: guide for local authorities' and removed the 2021 guide.

    3. Added 2022 dates to 'Important dates'.

    4. Added advice for local authorities on structuring planning areas to help prepare for the 2022 collection.

    5. First published.

    Contents