Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 24 May 2023

Published 24 May 2023

Applies to England

1. Action: 16 to 19 tuition fund 2023 to 2024 claim form

The 16 to 19 tuition fund 2023 to 2024 opt in/out digital form is now live.

The deadline for your submission is 11:59pm this Friday 26 May 2023.

We’ve published guidance to access and help you complete the form.

2. Action: split sites funding eligibility

In the government’s response to the public consultation on implementing the “direct” schools national funding formula (NFF), we confirmed that we will reform the funding for schools which have more than one site, through a new factor within the NFF. We also published a preliminary list of schools which are eligible for funding under the new criteria.

We have now published an updated version of the list, with the feedback we have received from schools and local authorities so far.

We require any further comments on the revised list by Wednesday 7 June for funding to be allocated correctly through the 2024 to 2025 NFF.

Please direct any comments to our enquiry form.

3. Action: one week to go for the public sector apprenticeships data return 2023

We recently contacted you about sending the Department for Education data on your apprenticeships for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. This is a reminder that the closing date is 31 May for data to be sent back.

You can do this through your Apprenticeship Service Account by accessing the form on the “Apprentices” tab from the homepage of your Apprenticeship Service account.

We are asking for your data on:

• Total number of new apprenticeship starts
• Total number of apprentices
• Organisation headcount

We will continue to publish this for transparency. More information on what is required can be found in the published guidance on GOV.UK. If you are unsure how to do this, please email: [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support.

4. Information: Academy Finance Professionals June Power Hour on the Budget Forecast Return (BFR)

Would you like to know more about the BFR before the 31 August 2023 deadline?

Join the next Power Hour on Tuesday 13 June, 3pm to 4pm.

The session will include:

• information on this year’s budget forecast return, why we have it and how we use the data
• how the BFR is completed, including a short demonstration of the form

There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the event.

Register now to guarantee your place.

5. Information: sign up for our national professional qualification (NPQ) webinar on Tuesday 13 June

Did you know that National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are fully funded by the government and for each teacher or leader in your school who takes an NPQ in the academic year 2023/24,

• state-funded primary schools with one to 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £800

• state-funded primary schools with more than 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200

• state-funded secondary schools and state-funded 16-19 educational settings with one to 600 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200

The Schools Commercial Team are hosting a webinar to give you all the information you need about NPQs for the teachers and leaders in your school. Sign up now for more detail and a chance to ask questions.

6. Information: Buying for Schools webinars – book your place now

Are you a school business professional who buys goods and services for your school?

We host regular webinars on how using our approved frameworks could help your school get value for money. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through West Mercia Energy – 13 June
• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through ESPO – 13 June

You can find the full programme of webinars for the summer term on the Summer 2023 webinar page. Visit the page to find out more and book your place.

7. Information: cyber awareness workshop for RPA members

Willis Towers Watson is providing risk management support for all Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) members through audit, guidance, and advice.

As part of the risk management support RPA members are invited to a workshop covering:

• minimum requirements in relation to managing Cyber Risk
• typical cyber risks that schools may be exposed to and best practice to reduce risk to an acceptable level

You can sign up for either session on:

• 15 June 2023
• 29 June 2023

8. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on 15 June

Schools Commercial Team are offering the opportunity for a free, virtual 1:1 conversation with a member of the team, to see how we can support you.

You can speak to us about anything you like to help you make informed buying choices for your school.

There is no pressure or obligation to take any of our recommendations forward following the conversation. Book your 1:1 conversation now.