ESFA Update academies: 17 January 2024
Published 17 January 2024
Applies to England
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1. Action: Academies accounts return – 2 weeks to deadline
A reminder to all trusts that the deadline to submit your trust’s accounts return is Tuesday 30 January 2024.
If you have not already completed the external auditor detail table, please do as soon as possible as this will give the auditor access to the form. The return can only be submitted by the trust’s external auditor.
If you are having difficulties completing or submitting the form, please see our guidance on GOV.UK or send us a query using the online enquiry form. Please select the option ‘Academies financial returns/IDAMS’ and provide your trust’s UPIN.
We are also running a webchat session tomorrow (Thursday 18 January 2024 from 10:00am to 11:00am) on the sli.do forum to provide any assistance to trusts who have not yet submitted their form. You can use the link https://www.slido.com/ and enter #AR2022-23 to access the webchat forum.
Don’t forget, you can complete your accounts return quickly using automation, if your trust has this functionality. If you have any questions about using automation for your accounts return 2022/23, please contact us directly at api.finance@education.gov.uk.
2. Information: 2024 to 2025 High needs place change process
We have published the High needs place change outcomes for 2024 to 2025 that will inform ESFA-funded place numbers for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
You should review the published outcomes as soon as possible to ensure the outcomes reflect those expected. If your provider is not listed, this means we were not notified of a change by your local authority and the published 2023 to 2024 place numbers will be used as the basis of your 2024 to 2025 allocation.
Local authorities and providers can contact us to query their 2024 to 2025 place numbers between 17 January 2024 and 2 February 2024. We are unlikely to action any changes requested after this date.
More information about the enquiry window can be found in the high needs place change process guidance.
3. Information: School Business Professional (SBP) roundtable events, webinars and buying conversations – book your place now
If you would like to join other SBPs from across your region to network, share your procurement issues and priorities, and find out more about the free procurement support available from DfE, you can register to attend one of the upcoming roundtable events.
The roundtables are free to attend, and will be taking place in Hereford, Bristol and Derby. Register now and don’t miss out.
Our spring term programme of free webinars on how using DfE-approved frameworks can save you time and help your school get value for money begins on Tuesday 23 January with the following webinars:
- Buying facilities management services for your school
- How the Get help buying for schools service can support your school buying
- The Risk Protection Arrangement - an alternative to commercial insurance
View the spring 2024 programme and register to attend.
You can also book your 1:1 conversation with a member of the team to see how we can support you.
4. Information: Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) members only risk management workshops
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 workshops covering:
School Trips Workshop
Competent person, risk assessment, record management and document control workshop for RPA members:
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
5. Feedback: General annual grant (GAG) digital statements – signposting change
Digital GAG allocation statements are in development and user feedback is invited to help shape the digital service.
During the session you will be able to explore the prototype and feedback directly to service designers.
Meetings will take place online using Microsoft Teams and will last up to 60 minutes.
To register interest in taking part, please fill out this form.