Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 4 January 2023

Published 4 January 2023

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-4-january-2023/esfa-update-academies-4-january-2023

1. Action: academies accounts return - 2 weeks to deadline

A reminder to all trusts that the deadline to submit your trust’s accounts return is Thursday 19 January 2023.

If you have not already completed the external auditor detail table, please do as soon as possible as this will give the auditor access to the form. The return can only be submitted by the trust’s external auditor.

If you are having difficulties completing or submitting the form, please see our guidance on GOV.UK or send us a query using the online enquiry form. Please select the option ‘Academies financial returns/IDAMS’ and provide your trust’s UPIN.

We are also running a webchat session today 10:00-11:00 on the sli.do forum to provide any assistance to Trusts who have not yet submitted their form. You can use the link https://www.slido.com/ and enter #AR2021-22 to access the webchat forum.

2. Reminder: the financial statements deadline has now passed

The deadline to submit your trust’s financial statements has now passed.

Thank you to all trusts who submitted their trust’s financial statements before the deadline. If you have not submitted your financial statements, please make every effort to do so immediately.

3. Information: schools, high needs and early years funding 2023 to 2024

On 16 December 2022, DfE announced the funding settlement for 2023 to 2024.

This confirmed the:

Following the allocation of additional funding for high needs, in 2023 to 2024 local authorities are required to pass on a 3.4% funding increase to maintained special and alternative provision (AP) schools, and special and AP academies (including free schools), based on the number of places being funded in 2022 to 2023. Detailed guidance on implementing this requirement is published at annex 2 of the revised high needs funding 2023 to 2024 operational guide.

4. Information: pupil premium allocations 2022 to 2023

We have published the updated allocations for the 2022 to 2023 financial year. This takes into account the third quarter payment.

5. Information: coronavirus (COVID-19) 16 to 19 tuition in year spend reporting guidance (formerly referred to as midyear report) 2022 to 2023 goes live today, 4 January 2023

The in-year spend digital form is now live, the submission deadline is 11:59pm on 23 January 2023. Institutions in receipt of 16 to 19 tuition funding in 2022 to 2023 are required to complete this return.

You can find in-year reporting and digital form guidance can be found on GOV.UK.

If you have any further questions, please contact us via the ESFA help centre.

6. Information: 2023 to 2024 high needs place change process

We have updated the high needs student and pupil numbers for 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 academic year data used in the annual high needs place change process. The data now includes individualised learner record (ILR) R14 data and 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 academic year place data for colleges and SPIs. We will use it to resolve ‘not agreed’ place change notifications for the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

Local authorities, schools and colleges can use this to inform local discussion about commissioning arrangements for 2023 to 2024.

7. Information: chart of accounts and automation webinars and dial-in Q&A sessions

The dates for our webinars and dial-in Q&A sessions are listed below. You can join via the MS Team link on the day.

7.1 Dial in sessions for any questions you may have

7.2 Webinar

We will be releasing additional dates shortly.

8. Information: academies land and building collection tool - sector dial-in for trusts

The academies land and buildings collection tool (LBCT) will go live on 17 January 2023. The deadline for submission is Tuesday 21 February 2023.

In advance of the launch, and to help users prepare for the completion of the form, we’ll be hosting two Teams call for academy trusts to dial in and ask any questions about the LBCT return.

8.1 For new trusts that have opened after 31 August 2021

This session is for new trusts to ask questions about how to register and complete the online form for the first time. It will include a demonstration of the LBCT return.

The session is on Tuesday 10 January from 10:30 to 11:00.

Click here to join the meeting or alternatively, call via 0203 321 5238,,253 484 357# and when prompted, enter ID 253 484 357#.

8.2 For existing trusts

This session is for trusts who completed the return last year. There will be an opportunity to see the new ‘leased asset’ section of the form and to ask any questions about this new requirement or anything else LBCT related.

The session is on Tuesday 10 January from 11:30 to 12:00.

Click here to join the meeting or alternatively, call via: 0203 321 5238,,792 218 411# and when prompted enter ID 792 218 411#

You can read the LBCT summary guidance and access the optional LBCT workbook on GOV.UK.

9. Information: provider data self-assessment tool (PDSAT) now live

On Friday 16 December, PDSAT online went live. This completes the first phase of a long-term transformation plan to improve and increase accessibility and useability to PDSATs for our post-16 education providers.

All pre-registrants have been loaded onto the online system and their accounts have been created. This will result in an email with instructions on how to gain super-user access being emailed to the pre-registrant. These emails are being sent over the next few days.

As per our original communications we have limited the pre-registration to one user per organisation.

If you do not receive an email with instructions, please check your spam folder and with other colleagues, who may have pre-registered, in the first instance, before following up with an email to [email protected].

If you did pre-register, please do not register in the PDSAT online environment as this may lead to a delay in receiving your access email.

Anyone who has not yet registered, please feel free to do so. We expect to process new registrants who registered over the Christmas period by 6 January 2023 with an ongoing fortnightly review period, depending on volumes of new registrants.

Phase 2 of our transformation plan is to receive feedback from PDSAT online users, with a view to enhancing PDSAT online wherever we’re able to do so.

10. Information: schools announced for next round of the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP)

On 16 December, the department announced the next 239 schools which have been provisionally selected for the School Rebuilding Programme. This brings the number of schools selected for the programme to 400. A list of the selected schools and further information about the selection process is available on GOV.UK.

100 places are reserved for later in the programme and details of any future rounds will be confirmed in future years.

The School Rebuilding Programme is rebuilding or significantly refurbishing school buildings in the poorest condition across England. Subject to schools continuing to meet the programme criteria, the 239 projects announced this month will commence between April 2023 and March 2024 at a rate of approximately 50 a year. Schools will be prioritised for delivery primarily according to the urgency of their condition need.

11. Information: managing your school estate

Responsible bodies (including academy trusts, local authorities and governing bodies) must keep their estates safe and well-maintained. In addition to addressing schools in the worst condition through SRP, the department provides annual condition funding and offers a range of advice to help responsible bodies manage their estates effectively and meet their legal duties. Good estate management for schools (GEMS) includes guidance on strategic estate management, prioritising maintenance and health and safety compliance. We also provide guidance on managing asbestos.

If you currently have any significant structural issues with your buildings, please complete this simple form to provide some further information . A structural issue is a significant adverse change in the condition of a building’s structure (including footings, foundations, structural portions of load-bearing walls, structural floors and subfloors, primary roof structure, elevator shafts, and structural columns and beams) that may cause risks to safety and/or full or partial closure of a building.

If responsible bodies identify a significant condition issue (including structural issues), it is important to assess the issue with detailed structural or condition surveys, and manage it appropriately.

12. Information: Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

Thank you to all those who have responded to the online RAAC Questionnaire to date. The questionnaire remains open for new responses by clicking on the “RAAC Survey” button. Responsible Bodies are asked to provide information about RAAC in their estates as soon as you are able and ideally before 28 February 2023.

New guidance was published on 14 December 2022 to support those involved in the identification and management of RAAC. The guidance reflects findings from the questionnaire to date and the growing knowledge of RAAC amongst specialist engineers and consultants.

All buildings constructed or modified between the 1950s and mid-1990s should be investigated to establish if they contain RAAC panels. RAAC panels should be identified and investigated by a suitably qualified specialist and a suitable management plan should be developed.

13. Information: Risk Protection Arrangement 2023 to 2024 price confirmation

The cost of the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) is reviewed annually to ensure breadth of cover and value for money are balanced. The department can confirm that the RPA deduction will be £23 per pupil:

  • from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 for Local Authority Maintained Schools (LAMS)
  • from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 for academies.

While this year’s price takes into account recent increases in inflation and the cost of meeting claims the RPA continues to provide value for money for schools.

You don’t need to do anything as your 2023 to 2024 membership will renew automatically on 1 April 2023 for LAMS and 1 September 2023 for academies at £23 per pupil.

The RPA continues to offer excellent value for money and all schools classified as public sector schools can join – sign up and join today.

If you have any questions or would like more information, contact [email protected].

14. Information: book an informal 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on 12 January

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.

15. Information: join these webinars on approved frameworks and see how you could save money for your school

Are you responsible for buying goods and services for your school? The Schools Commercial Team (SCT) within the Department for Education is leading on the Buying for Schools programme; delivering services to support schools to buy goods and services.

The team are hosting free webinars on how using our approved frameworks could save you time and help your school get value for money. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

For the latest on our wide range of webinars, check out the events tab on our Buying for schools LinkedIn page.

16. Information: supporting schools to be energy efficient

There are a number of energy efficiency frameworks, specifically designed to help schools, available on Find a Framework:

If you need any advice or guidance Get help buying for schools service is free and will help you secure great value for your school or trust.

17. Information: new DfE approved ICT frameworks for your school

The following new DfE-approved ICT frameworks are now live on Find a Framework:

If you need any advice or guidance Get help buying for schools service is free and will help you secure great value for your school or trust.

18. Information: applying for the Turing Scheme

The government provides grants for study and work experience abroad through the Turing Scheme, with £110 million invested for this academic year.

Your pupils could study or work anywhere in the world, subject to FCDO travel advice.

Applications for the Turing Scheme will open early 2023. You can start preparing to apply by reading the programme guide on the Turing Scheme website.

The guide contains important information on what overseas learning and training opportunities the Turing Scheme funding can be used for, eligibility, grant rates, the application process and how applications are assessed.

19. Your feedback: volunteer to join a new user research panel

Would you be willing to join a research panel?

ESFA regularly conducts research to ensure our services are meeting your needs.

We invite you to join a research panel at ESFA. The panel aims to provide you with research opportunities about services you may use in your day to day role.

We invite you to:

  • sign up to be part of our research panel
    • you can withdraw from this at any time without consequence after signing up by emailing us
  • be contacted about relevant research opportunities no more than 4 times a year
    • by joining the panel you can choose which, if any, research you want to take part in

To express your interest in joining our research panel, please follow this link.

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