ESFA Update academies: 4 December 2024
Published 4 December 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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Information: National funding formula for 2025 to 2026
On the 28 November, the Minister of State for School Standards made a written statement setting out the schools, high needs, and central school services national funding formulae (NFF) for 2025 to 2026.
Overall, core school funding is increasing by £2.3 billion in 2025 to 2026, meaning that this funding will total almost £63.9 billion. This includes funding through the schools NFF, high needs funding, central school services block of the dedicated schools grant, and pupil premium.
You can view the provisional 2025 to 2026 NFF allocation tables and technical notes along with the policy document detailing the changes.
Local funding arrangements in 2025 to 2026 are outlined in the schools operational guide and the high needs funding operational guide.
Information: Universal infant free school meals per meal rate increase for the academic year 2024 to 2025
We can confirm an increase to the per-meal rate for universal infant free school meals (UIFSM). The rate will be increased from £2.53 to £2.58 for 2024 to 2025, backdated to the start of the academic year.
You will receive this increase alongside the final allocation of UIFSM for 2024 to 2025 in July 2025.
Webinar: Automating your accounts return 2023 to 2024
Wednesday 11 December 2024, 2pm to 3pm. Register for ‘Automating your accounts return 2023 to 2024’ on Eventbrite.
Webinar: Q&A drop-in sessions – Academies chart of accounts and automation
Friday 13 December 2024, 11am to 11:30am. Register for the ‘Academies chart of accounts and automation’ on Eventbrite.
Webinar: DfE Automation webinar
Wednesday 18 December 2024, 2pm to 3pm. Register for the ‘DfE Automation webinar’ on Eventbrite.