This entity describes where and for how long a trainee is undertaking their school placement(s).

Placements for trainees can be added at any time. For example, a trainee’s first known placement can be added at the census date, and when a trainee starts their second placement this can be included in the next HESA update in April or July. A trainee should have at least two placements during their training.

Notes from the DfE:

Placement data is not used to check if providers and trainees have met statutory requirements.

The DfE collects this data to understand where schools are offering placements, and where they are not. This will help DfE support providers in sourcing placements in areas with little or no placement opportunities.

The DfE also uses this data to see if there is any relationship between where a trainee did their placements and where they end up being employed.

Add each placement school once, even if a trainee returned to the school multiple times to complete a placement.