Common basic data set (CBDS): database
The latest common basic data set (CBDS) and version control log for use by software suppliers developing management information systems.
- From:
- Department for Education
- Published
- 14 October 2013
- Last updated
-
84NovemberAugust20242025 — See all updates
Applies to England
Documents
CBDS database
MS Excel Spreadsheet, 722720 KB
Details
The CBDS is a file containing definitions for common data items that schools and local authorities use in certain software systems – for example, school management information systems.
The CBDS also gives information on the structure of other Department for Education data collections.
You should refer to the CBDS when reading any data collection specifications.
The CBDS spreadsheet organises definitions through:
-
CBDS levels – for example, pupil and school
-
CBDS modules – for example, school characteristics
- data items – for example, ethnicity – and the code set defining them
You can filter the spreadsheet to provide data items relevant to a particular collection.
We regularly update the CBDS, publishing any changes and the reasons for them as request-for-change documents.
Details
The CBDS is a file containing definitions for common data items that schools and local authorities use in certain software systems – for example, school management information systems.
The CBDS also gives information on the structure of other Department for Education data collections.
You should refer to the CBDS when reading any data collection specifications.
The CBDS spreadsheet organises definitions through:
- CBDS levels – for example, pupil and school
- CBDS modules – for example, school characteristics
- data items – for example, ethnicity – and the code set defining them
You can filter the spreadsheet to provide data items relevant to a particular collection.
We regularly update the CBDS, publishing any changes and the reasons for them as request-for-change documents.
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Update history
2026-04-08 11:46
Updated ‘CBDS database’ with new data items and code sets.
2025-12-15 11:46
Updated ‘CBDS database’ with new data items and code sets.
2025-09-08 08:58
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2025-08-04 16:06
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2024-11-08 12:29
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2024-10-02 09:13
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2024-08-29 11:34
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2024-05-03 16:47
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2024-02-28 13:20
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2023-12-20 11:00
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2023-08-29 13:42
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2023-06-13 16:37
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2023-06-05 10:47
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2023-03-24 09:48
Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2022-12-29 14:37
The CBDS database has been updated. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2022-09-28 17:13
Updated the Common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2022-07-26 16:44
Updated the Common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab.
2022-04-25 11:14
Updated the CBDS database. The version history tab lists the changes.
2022-04-20 10:36
Updated the CBDS database. The version history tab lists the changes.
2022-04-01 11:51
Updated the Common basic data set (CBDS) database. The changes are listed in the version history tab of the database.