EFA e-bulletin for schools, colleges and other 16 to 19 providers: 19 February 2014
Published 11 March 2014
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-e-bulletin-19-february-2014/efa-e-bulletin-for-schools-colleges-and-other-16-to-19-providers-19-february-2014
1. Information: 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: post-16 funding
EFA will shortly publish an online presentation explaining the funding of post-16 education for FE institutions.
It will also be running two interactive webinars where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about funding and ask EFA questions. The dates of the webinars are:
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3 March: an update on 16 to 19 funding methodology for the 2014 to 2015 academic year for colleges, commercial and charitable providers, schools and local authorities
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4 March: an update on the 16 to 19 allocations process for the 2014 to 2015 academic year for colleges, commercial and charitable providers, schools and local authorities
To take part in these webinars, please register on the EFA website.
3. Reminder: carrying out robust capability and appraisal procedures
All school 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, schools 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 school to school, continuing to preside over inadequate education. By ensuring that schools have thorough appraisal and capability procedures that identify and address areas for development, local authorities are striving to provide top class education and opportunities for all children and young people.
Where these procedures are not being used effectively by schools, local authorities have both the power and a duty to act by issuing a warning notice.