Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 12 October 2022

Published 12 October 2022

This correspondence was withdrawn on 27 December 2023

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. Read the latest editions of ESFA Update for the latest news and information.

Applies to England

1. Action: coronavirus (COVID-19) 16 to 19 tuition fund 2022 to 2023 claim form

The coronavirus (COVID-19) 16 to 19 tuition fund 2022 to 2023 opt in/out digital form is now live.

The deadline for your submission is 11:59pm on 21 October 2022.

We’ve published guidance to help you access and complete the form.

You can read more on GOV.UK.

2. Reminder: DfE consultation closing date extended

Since July, the DfE have been consulting on proposals for a reformed FE funding and accountability system. This was due to close on 21 September 2022, but after taking into account feedback from some stakeholders we have decided to extend the closing date to today, 12 October 2022.

If you are interested in understanding our proposals in more detail please see the consultation, ‘Implementing a new FE Funding and Accountability system’, where you can also find the link to respond. We welcome your responses and thank you in advance for taking the time to give us your views.

3. Information: pupil premium allocations for 2022 to 2023

We have published the updated pupil premium allocations for the second quarter of the 2022 to 2023 financial year.

4. Information: ESFA adult education (AEB) funding and performance management rules 2022 to 2023

We have now published version 2 of the AEB funding rules which includes the performance management section.

Section 4 includes rules for all AEB allocation lines, including 19 to 24 traineeships and ESFA-funded level 3 free courses for jobs offer. We have included a full breakdown of the changes on the What’s New page of the rules.

If you have any questions, please contact us using our enquiry form.

5. Information: Energy Bill Relief Scheme

We would like to remind schools and trusts that they do not need to do anything to be eligible for the Energy Bill Relief Scheme as the discount is automatic. Please be aware that if a school receives a message requesting bank details or other information it could be a scam, and you should report it online.

We will continue to update our Buying for schools guidance on energy with the market and commercial position, along with practical advice on exiting existing contracts and entering new ones.

The Get help buying for schools service will be able to offer support to schools switching and entering new contracts. Schools can request advice and guidance for your procurement online.

6. Information: are you looking at buying catering or cleaning services for your school?

For some, the start of a new academic year means planning well in advance for buying important services like catering and cleaning. You can use our Find a Framework tool to explore the DfE approved frameworks that offer catering and cleaning solutions.

In our latest Buying for Schools blog post, Megan Grimshaw, Procurement Projects Delivery Lead at YPO, highlights YPO’s Buildings in Use framework, which includes both catering and cleaning lots as well as much more.

Read Megan’s blog post to find out more.

7. Information: ESFA are proud to support Charity Fraud Awareness Week 2022 (17 to 21 October)

ESFA are proud to support this year’s Charity Fraud Awareness Week which runs from 17 to 21 October 2022.

Now in its seventh year, Charity Fraud Awareness Week is an award-winning campaign, run by a partnership of charities, regulators, representatives, umbrella bodies and other not-for-profit stakeholders, across the world.

Its aim is to bring together the third sector to share knowledge, expertise, and good practice in fraud prevention, at a time when many in the sector continue to remain susceptible to fraud and cybercrime.

For more information on how you can get involved including access to free events visit: preventcharityfraud.org.uk and/or join the conversation at: #StopCharityFraud