Guidance

Local authority pupil planning areas: guide for local authorities

Guidance for local authorities when determining or changing pupil planning area structures for the annual school capacity (SCAP) survey.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 29 May 2026

Applies to England

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Local authority pupil planning areas: guidance

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Guidance for local authorities on what the Department for Education (DfE) expects them to consider when determining, or making changes to, their pupil planning area structure for the purposes of the School capacity survey (SCAP).

This guidance relates to the 2022 SCAP survey and the SCAP surveys conducted after 2022. It is valid until amended or withdrawn.

It is primarily for local authorities involved in planning and organising school places.

Published 29 May 2026