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Net capacity assessment tool

A tool to measure net pupil capacity in schools, with guidance on the methodology.

Applies to England

Documents

Net capacity assessment (NCA) tool

Details

The net capacity assessment tool (NCA) is for use by:

  • schools and responsible bodies
  • local authorities
  • dioceses
  • building professionals

It helps them measure the number of pupil places available in a mainstream school. It can also help with education building projects.

The Department for Education (DfE) uses the assessment as the standard method to measure the number of pupil places available in any school.

The NCA tool is functional and ready to use to carry out assessments. It is not fully accessible to all users, however, because some cells and formulae are locked to prevent calculation errors. An unlocked and fully accessible version is available on request for users of assistive technology. Email DfE.NCAPROGRAMME@education.gov.uk to request this version.

DfE has also published:

Updates to this page

Published 6 February 2024
Last updated 9 June 2025 show all updates
  1. Updated the net capacity assessment (NCA) tool and guidance.

  2. Updated 'Net capacity assessment tool' and replaced 'Net capacity assessment tool: instructions' with 'Net capacity assessment guidance'.

  3. Updated 'Net capacity assessment tool'.

  4. First published.

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