EFA e-bulletin for academies: 19 February 2014
Published 11 March 2014
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1. Action: closure of EFA’s IM Portal
The IM Portal is the website used by some EFA providers and local authorities to receive information. It’s being replaced to provide a more efficient way of enabling more colleagues (for example auditors, finance directors and business managers) to access the documents they need to do business with EFA.
The IM Portal will be closed down on 20 March 2014. The replacement will be EFA’s Document Exchange. EFA will be releasing more information about the Document Exchange in its next e-bulletin, including when it will be available and how it can be accessed by those who need it.
During the transition to this more efficient system, EFA will use other communication channels, such as email, to send information directly to you.
If you have documents still on the IM Portal (for example CCM payment schedules which were last uploaded in September 2013 or local authority MI files which were uploaded in December 2013) these must be downloaded before 20 March 2014. The documents will not be available after that date.
2. Information: funding allocations for 2014 to 2015
EFA has written to academy trusts outlining arrangements for funding allocations for the 2014 to 2015 academic year, including:
- introducing voluntary risk
- pooling for insurance from September 2014
- removing double
- funding for SEN LACSEG
- confirming the ESG rate
- a new protection against the key funding changes outlined in the letter for the 2014 to 2015 academic year
- timing of pre- and post- 16 allocations
- flat profiling of payments from 2014 so academies receive their revenue funding payments in 12 equal instalments
A copy of the letter is available on GOV.UK.
3. Action: academy admission appeals complaints review 2013
EFA has reviewed the complaints it has received about how independent appeal panels (IAPs) managed admission appeals in 2013, and has set out the findings and some suggestions to help you make sure that future appeals comply with the School Admission Appeals Code.
Many of EFA’s findings are easily addressed and will reduce the risk of future complaints. Examples include making sure clerks’ records of appeal hearings are full and legible, and providing plain English decision letters that clearly explain why the appeal was unsuccessful.
In order to avoid these and other common pitfalls during the 2014 round of appeals, you are strongly advised to read EFA’s key findings and discuss these with your clerking service.
4. Information: making a significant change to your existing arrangements
EFA has introduced a new fast-track process for proposing significant changes to an academy’s existing arrangements for EFA to consider where they relate to:
- expansion on the same site through enlargement of premises
- changes to an academy’s age range (by up to two years)
- adding boarding provision
- amending admission arrangements in ‘old style’ funding agreements
Although you will still need to seek approval from the Secretary of State, through EFA, you are not required to submit a formal business case.
All other significant changes, including adding or removing a sixth form or adding a new phase of education, require a formal business case.
The process for making all significant changes is outlined in the new guidance on making significant changes to an existing academy published on GOV.UK.
5. Information: DfE survey on academy freedoms
The Department for Education is conducting an online survey of all academies (which were open by May 2013) to find out about the changes they’ve introduced since becoming an academy.
It is particularly interested in whether academies are using the freedoms and flexibilities available to them and what difference this has made to schools.
BMG Research will send a link to the survey on 24 February by email. If you haven’t received it by then, or have any questions about the research, please contact Elizabeth Davies at Elizabeth.Davies@bmgresearch.co.uk.
This is the first time that the Department for Education has undertaken a survey on this important topic, so please take the time to complete the survey to make sure that it reflects what’s happening in your academy.
The survey is being conducted on behalf of the DfE by BMG Research, an independent research company. The results will be used to inform the development of the Government’s academy programme.
6. Information: pupil premium summer schools programme 2014
The pupil premium summer schools programme 2014 is now open for applications. If you wish to apply you need to complete a short online form by 30 May 2014.
A factsheet with further information about the programme and how to apply is available on GOV.UK
7. Information: Future Scholar Awards scheme
Registration for this year’s Future Scholar Awards scheme (previously known as the Dux Awards) opened on 10 February 2014.
You can find out more about the Future Scholar Awards scheme and how to nominate your future scholars on the Department for Education website.
Registration is open until 14 March 2014.
8. Information: new duty to support pupils with medical conditions
A public consultation was launched on 3 February, about the draft statutory guidance on the new duty of governing bodies to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions at school.
It will run for 6 weeks until 14 March.
The new duty, which is part of the Children and Families Act 2014 (when it becomes law), comes into force in September 2014 and will apply to maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units.
The intention is to finalise the guidance in readiness for publication at the beginning of the summer term.
9. Reminder: carrying out robust capability and appraisal procedures
Academy trusts are reminded that all employers, when requested to, are under a legal obligation to provide a true, accurate and fair reference, and these play a vital role in helping prospective employers to make a fully informed decision about the suitability of a school leader and teacher.
Aside from the detrimental impact inaccurate references have on the provision of high quality education, there may be legal consequences if a party suffers a loss because a reference is misleading or contains false information.
If requested, academies must provide any prospective employer with details where a head teacher or teacher has been subject to capability proceedings in the previous two years.
The Department for Education’s guidance on teachers’ standards linked to appraisal and capability procedures is published on its website.
By identifying those who continue to fall short of the expected standard, appropriate support and challenge can be provided to help individuals improve or to leave the profession swiftly.
When formal capability action has not been taken on underperforming leaders and teachers they may be able to move from academies to other schools, continuing to preside over inadequate education. By ensuring that their academies have thorough appraisal and capability procedures that identify and address areas for development, as well as robust processes for replying to reference requests, academy trusts are striving to provide top class education and opportunities for all children and young people wherever they are taught.