Guidance

How to remove a pupil from your data

For each pupil removal category, you must provide specific information or evidence to support your request.

We review these requirements every year to make sure they are:

  • appropriate for each category
  • reasonable for schools to provide

For 2026, we have published some new guidance which focuses on categories:

  • with low acceptance rates
  • where schools need clearer guidance on evidence

If you want to request to remove a pupil, we recommend that you read KS4 June Pupil Removal Requests: Tips for schools and colleges before submitting any requests.

Make sure you submit the correct information and evidence

You must submit all requests and supporting information or evidence by 5pm on Friday 26 June 2026.

To improve the chances of your request being accepted, follow the best practice examples below when providing information or evidence, if applicable.

Do

  • upload your information or evidence in PDF format only
  • use the free text box in the service, when available, to briefly explain the pupil’s situation
  • ensure your evidence supports what you have written in the free text box
  • make sure your information or evidence is clear, concise and relevant to the removal category
  • check that any evidence meets the required dates for that category, if applicable
  • include supporting documents from external sources, where appropriate, for example, social workers, local authorities, medical professionals and the police

Do not

  • request a pupil amendment unless the pupil’s circumstances meet the criteria for an amendment category, this helps avoid unnecessary work
  • provide more than 6 pages of information or evidence, we will not read anything over this limit
  • compare decisions about one pupil amendment request with another, as each request is considered individually

How we make decisions

We have a comprehensive moderation process in place to make sure all decisions are fair and consistent.

We review:

  • each pupil amendment request
  • the supporting information or evidence (up to 6 pages)

We may also carry out internal data checks as part of this process.

The DfE decision is final. We cannot give individual feedback on decisions due to the high number of requests we receive.

When requests to remove a pupil will not be accepted

Do not make a pupil removal request if the:

  • pupil had a short-term illness (for example, a virus and was absent from school for up to a month)
  • pupil had a short-term illness and missed some or all exams
  • pupil is still on roll and receiving home tuition or remote learning
  • request is based solely on the pupil’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • school was affected by RAAC and now has arrangements so pupils can access education and sit exams
  • pupil is a non-attender (includes any absence unless for reasons of long term illness)
  • pupil is from a traveller family
  • pupil has left to re-sit exams at an FE college (except those with 14 to 16 provision)
  • pupil attends an FE college full or part time, unless their main registration is at an FE college with 14 to 16 provision
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