Thank you for your request for information, which was received on 28 April 2016. Your request was as follows:

The DfE announced in February that there would be new items collected in the School Census for 2016/17. These included Pupil Fluency in English, Pupil Nationality, and Pupil Country of Birth. Early guidance is imperative for Local Authorities and Schools to plan but it has been delayed since February. Please can you tell us why, and not just that it hasn't been signed of yet.

I have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Department did not make any announcements in February regarding the School Census. The Guide was released on 4 May a month later than initially anticipated due to a delay in obtaining clearance.

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