Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 1 November 2023

Published 1 November 2023

Applies to England

1. Reminder: high needs place change process 2024 to 2025: deadline 10 November 2023 

The high needs place change process for 2024 to 2025 closes on 10 November 2023. 

Schools and colleges should contact their local authorities about their high needs places for the 2024 to 2025 academic year. Local authorities will use this process to notify us of changes to your high needs place numbers. 

We have published guidance on the high needs place change process. 

We have also published the spring 2022 census data for high needs pupil numbers in special academies and free schools, and the place numbers for 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024. You can use this to inform local discussions about commissioning arrangements for 2024 to 2025. 

2. Reminder: autumn schools census 2023 

The 2023 autumn school census is open until 29 November 2023 for changes to submissions already made. 

The school census data will be used to finalise funding allocations. It is important that you check the accuracy of your schools’ returns before you submit them. 

Our post-16 interactive census tool can help you understand how schools’ data is used to calculate 16 to 19 funding, in support of schools with sixth forms. There is also a new report in COLLECT on T Level funding data. 

We have noted that a small number of schools have made errors in recording T Level data (omitting occupational specialisms or planned hours) that will impact on funding. The T Level reports can help to identify students where changes should be made. 

We have published guidance on recording T Level data, and full guidance to help with completing the census is available on GOV.UK. 

If you have any queries about the school census, please use our service request form.  

3. Information: additional funding in 2023 to 2024 

We have published further details on the additional funding in 2023 to 2024, announced in July 2023. We are providing up to £40 million to support schools in overall financial difficulty by expanding the existing routes available to schools in this position.  

This funding is on top of the £525 million schools will already be receiving this year to support them with the 2023 teachers’ pay award.   

£20 million will be provided to local authorities who have the most significant maintained school deficits. The remaining funding will be used to expand the existing route for academies in financial difficulty and will be allocated to academy trusts in line with existing criteria and processes.  

As usual, where a trust is in serious financial difficulty, they should contact the ESFA, who can provide advice and support on a case-by-case basis. 

4. Information: PE and sport premium allocations for 2023 to 2024 

We have now published the allocations for PE and sport premium 2023 to 2024. 

The conditions of grant set out when the instalments will be paid and the terms and conditions local authorities, maintained schools and academies must follow. 

5. Information: schools block national funding formula (NFF) - notional outcomes and impacts – updated COLLECT reports now published 

The national funding formula (NFF) COLLECT reports have been updated to reflect the 2024 to 2025 schools NFF and the latest data. This follows the update of the NFF in October 2023, which means that the NFF factor values are now different from those previously published in July 2023.  These reports allow schools to see notional NFF funding allocations for their school, and local authorities to see notional NFF funding allocations for all schools in their area and the calculation of provisional local authority level allocations. 

To gain access to the schools NFF option on COLLECT, please speak to the approver for DfE Sign-in within your school or local authority, who will be able to add the NFF option to your DfE Sign-in account.  You can find further information on the October 2023 NFF update in National Funding Formula for schools and high needs: 2024 to 2025. 

6. Information: capital condition funding for 2024 to 2025 

We have confirmed the eligibility criteria for School Condition Allocations (SCA) and the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for financial year 2024 to 2025 and published details on GOV.UK. 

We have also announced the launch of the 2024 to 2025 bidding round for CIF.   

Local authorities, larger multi-academy trusts (MATs) and larger voluntary aided (VA) school bodies receive direct SCA to invest in priorities across the schools for which they are responsible. We have notified MATs that are eligible for SCA in 2024 to 2025.  

Smaller academy trusts, smaller VA bodies and sixth-form colleges are instead able to bid into CIF. Eligible schools have been invited to bid into the fund for 2024 to 2025. Schools invited to CIF should apply for funding if they have condition investment requirements. 

Any academy trusts with questions about eligibility should contact the Department via the contact-us form. 

7. Information: find out more about buying for your school or trust at the Schools and Academies Show, 22 November 

Join the DfE Schools Commercial Team at the Schools and Academies Show, Birmingham on Wednesday 22 November. 

The team will be hosting a 40-minute panel session at the Business and Finance theatre from 13:35 – 14:15 exploring the power of School Business Professional (SBP) networks when buying for your school or trust.  

The panel will explore the benefits of being part of a strong professional network and the importance of peer-to-peer support, with tips on how you can get the most from your network. The panel members will share their own experiences and insights on the benefits of connecting with people, building relationships, and finding opportunities to support each other. 

You can also speak directly to the team and join our mini sessions at the Government Education Village: 

• 09:50 – 10:10: Crime, fire, and health and safety – things to consider in your school 
• 10:20 – 10:40: Help, I’m not a procurement expert! 

Register now. Registration is free for schools, multi-academy trusts and the wider public sector.  

8. Information: two new DfE-approved facilities management frameworks for schools and trusts 

Are you looking for facilities management (FM) services for your school or trust? DfE approved frameworks can help you buy goods and services in a compliant way and save you time and money. 

Two new facilities management frameworks have been approved covering services such as retrofit and refurbishment, maintenance, security, and much more: 

• Everything FM 
• CCS Facilities management and workplace services DPS 

Find out more on Find a Framework.  

9. Information: are you looking to buy gas or electric for your school or trust? 

If your energy contract is coming up for renewal, there are several DfE approved frameworks offering a quick, simple and competitive route to buy.  

The Schools Commercial Team is hosting a series of free webinars with a focus on DfE approved energy frameworks, to help you make an informed choice on the best deal for your school. Click on the links to find out more and book your place: 

• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through CPC Dukefield 
• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through ESPO 
• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through LASER 
• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through West Mercia Energy 

You can find the full programme of webinars for the remainder of the autumn term on the autumn 2023 webinar page.  

10. Information: Water Management (flood, storm etc.) – workshop for RPA members 

Willis Towers Watson is providing risk management support for all RPA members through audit, guidance and advice. As part of the risk management support, RPA members are invited to a workshop covering: 

• The risks associated with poor water management concerning property damage, safety and environmental impacts 
• Strategies and control measures that can be considered to improve the management of water 

Place will be allocated on a first come first served basis: 

• 16 November 2023 
• 29 November 2023 

11. Information: RPA members – book your place on this Regulatory Mock Trial 

DfE, in conjunction with Willis Towers Watson, has developed a bespoke training seminar, ‘The Regulatory Mock Trial’. 

This workshop has been designed to assist governors, trustees, directors, and members of Senior Leadership Teams to understand the challenges they face in implementing compliant health and safety management systems, enhance the prospects of avoiding enforcement action and improve the school’s defensive capabilities where a prosecution is pursued. 

Places are for RPA members only and will be allocated on a first come first served basis: 

13 November 2023