Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 11 December 2024

Published 11 December 2024

Applies to England

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Information: 16 to 19 funding allocation and outturn statement R14 2023 to 2024

Final outturn statements are now available on Document exchange for all providers who have submitted a final 16 to 19 individualised learner record (ILR) funding claim and data return.

Please note that following user research, outturn statements will only be available after R14 for the 2024 to 2025 funding year. The 16 to 19 funding claim reports will still be available in submit learner data.

Information: Risk protection arrangement 2025 to 2026 price confirmation

The cost of the risk protection arrangement (RPA) is reviewed annually to ensure breadth of cover and value for money are balanced. We can confirm that the RPA deduction for 2025 to 2026 will be £27 per pupil from:

  • Tuesday 1 April 2025 to Tuesday 31 March 2026 for local authority maintained schools (LAMS)

  • Monday 1 September 2025 to Monday 31 August 2026 for academies.

You don’t need to do anything as your 2025 to 2026 membership will renew automatically on Tuesday 1 April 2025 for LAMS and Monday 1 September 2025 for academies at £27 per pupil. Where members take the decision to leave the RPA, as per the membership rules you will need to provide 3 months’ notice prior to the end of your membership year by contacting RPA.DFE@education.gov.uk  to formally let us know.

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 RPA.DFE@education.gov.uk.

Reminder: Academies financial returns help

Thank you to everyone who has submitted their trust’s financial statements and accounts return. If you are still working on them, submit these by the deadlines.

The deadline to submit for your trust’s financial statements using the accounts submission coversheet is Tuesday 31 December 2024. If you are having difficulties submitting your financial statements, please see our guidance.

The deadline for your external auditor to submit your trust’s accounts return is Tuesday 28 January 2025. Make sure your external auditors are registered and set up to use the Academies accounts return online form. See our guidance for more information on how to do this.

To help you complete the accounts return, we are hosting a series of MS Teams calls and web chats. You can view the full schedule for our MS Teams calls and web chats on GOV.UK.

Webinars:

 Automating your accounts return

Q&A dial-in sessions: Academies chart of accounts and automation

School trips workshop – RPA Members only

Academy Finance Professionals January 2025 Power Hour

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