ESFA e-bulletin for schools, colleges, local authorities and other 16 to 19 providers: 8 February 2018
Published 8 February 2018
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-e-bulletin-8-february-2018-issue-206/esfa-e-bulletin-for-schools-colleges-local-authorities-and-other-16-to-19-providers-8-february-2018
1. Reminder: technical consultation on insolvency regime for further education and sixth form colleges closes 12 February
The Department for Education launched a consultation on the insolvency regime for further education and sixth form colleges on 18 December 2017.
This consultation seeks views on the technical detail of the insolvency regime and sets out proposals as to how colleges at risk of or in insolvency will be dealt with in practice. Such cases of insolvency are expected to be rare, and the consultation also outlines plans to further improve the monitoring and support available to colleges where they are in financial difficulty.
The deadline for consultation responses is Monday 12 February 2018.
2. Information: concrete cladding - monitoring building condition
The Education and Skills Funding Agency has published guidance about concrete cladding - monitoring building condition on GOV.UK.
This is to support monitoring of building condition by schools and responsible bodies. The guidance recommends periodic inspection. It provides information to help schools and responsible bodies undertake such inspections.
The guidance is for those responsible for maintaining school buildings. This includes head teachers, business managers and facilities managers.
3. Information: input to ESFA customer experience
We are conducting 45 minute telephone interviews between 26 February to 9 March to seek customer feedback on ESFA services.
If you are from a local authority, academy trust, maintained school or college and would be interested in being interviewed or joining an online group please email: josie.appleby@education.gov.uk.
4. Information: National Apprenticeship Week 2018 – get involved
National Apprenticeship Week 2018 takes place from 5 to 9 March 2018. The theme of the week is Apprenticeships Work to showcase how apprenticeships work for employers, individuals, local communities and the wider economy.
Schools, colleges and universities have a key role to play in both inspiring young people and delivering apprenticeships.
You can support the week by getting involved in #10KTalks by inviting a passionate apprentice, or former apprentice, to talk to their students about their experience and help inspire the next generation of apprentices. To find out more, watch here how Amy Grange, former degree apprentice from Capgemini, returned to her school to share her #10kTalks success story.
Visit Amazing Apprenticeships to book a #10ktalk and find out more about National Apprenticeship Week.
5. Information: the Centre for Vocational Educational Research
The Department for Education is pleased to announce that following a mid-term review, The Centre for Vocational Educational Research (CVER) will continue its programme of work to 2020.
Since its creation, CVER has created accessible information and data on the vocational education sector and built high quality, policy-oriented research on the topic.
The overall themes of CVERs work will continue but with increased emphasis on social mobility, the apprenticeship levy and standards, and drivers of quality in FE. It will also include a focus on technical education delivered by HE institutions.
6. Information: Regional Schools’ Buying Hubs go live
The Regional Schools’ Buying Hubs are providing a free service to schools from 1 February 2018. If your school is in the north-west or south-west, register for this free service now and start to make the most of the benefits the hub can bring to your school.