Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 2 November 2022

Published 2 November 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This correspondence was withdrawn on 27 December 2023

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date.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. Information: PE and sport premium allocations for 2022 to 2023

We have published the allocations for PE and sport premium 2022 to 2023. The conditions of grant for maintained schools, academies and non-maintained special schools (NMSS) will be published shortly.

2. Information: themes arising from ESFA’s assurance work

We have published the themes arising from ESFA’s assurance work. The outcomes of our assurance work relate to the financial management and governance of the academies sector in 2021 to 2022.

Highlighting common themes in our work aims to enable the sector to improve the quality of its financial governance. The briefing is for academy trust accounting officers, finance staff and trustees. Auditors of academy trust accounts may also find it helpful.

3. Information: latest update on the provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT)

Pre-registration for PDSAT online opened for providers on the 26 October. Depending on the volume of pre-registrations we may need to prioritise registrations for those providers who have R04 obligations. Providers can pre-register by completing this form.

We are also opening a pre-registration phase for non-providers who can now also pre-register by completing this form.

Non-providers should select whether they would like an individual or organisational level account, i.e., it would be appropriate for an audit firm to select organisational level and have super-user ability to add multiple users whereas it may be more appropriate for an independent consultant to select an individual level account. Where you are selecting ‘organisational level’ it would be appropriate for only one user from your organisation to pre-register.

There is a requirement that non-providers include the UKPRN of a supporting provider with whom they work as part of this pre-registration phase. Any registrant that would like ESFA to act as a sponsor should record 99999999 in the UKPRN field.

All pre-registrations will be reviewed by ESFA. Registrants will receive notifications of acceptance or rejection once ESFA have reviewed, post the closure of the pre-registration phase on 11 November 2022.

Anyone that does not pre-register, or who is rejected at the pre-registration stage will still be able to register a request for their own login at any time once PDSAT online goes live.

The first release of PDSAT online will contain the facility to import ILR data, either in XML format or using data processed through the funding information system (FIS), and output reports for further review.

4. Information: book an information 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on 24 November

Schools Commercial Team are offering the opportunity for a free virtual 1:1 conversation with a member of the team to see how we can support you.

You can speak to us about anything you like to help you make informed buying choices for your school.

There is no pressure or obligation to take any of our recommendations forward following the conversation. Book your 1:1 conversation now.

5. Information: join these webinars on approved frameworks and see how you could save money for your school

Are you responsible for buying goods and services for your school? The Schools Commercial Team (SCT) within the Department for Education is leading on the Buying for Schools programme; delivering services to support schools to buy goods and services.

The team are hosting free webinars on how using our approved frameworks could save you time and help your school get value for money. Our autumn programme will start up again mid-November with the webinars listed below. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

• How the Get help buying for schools service can support your school buying – 15 November
• The Risk Protection Arrangement - an alternative to commercial insurance – 15 November
• Buying ICT for your school – 22 November
• Buying professional services for your school – 23 November
• Hiring supply teachers and agency workers for your school – 23 November

You can find the full programme of webinars for the remainder of the autumn term on the Autumn 2022 webinar page. Visit the page to find out more and book your place.

6. Information: buying energy for your school

Two new DfE-approved energy frameworks are now available to provide renewal quotes for schools:

• Electricity (for supply during 2020-2024)
• Electricity (for supply during 2020-2024)
• Mains gas 2023
• Mains gas 2023

Guidance and tools are available on GOV.UK to help you buy energy for your school, including a set of minimum standard questions to help you understand supplier quotes and ask the correct questions.

If you still can’t find what you need, you can contact the Get help buying for schools service for further help and support.

7. Information: your invite to the Schools and Academies Show, 17 November

You are invited to join the DfE Schools Commercial Team at the Schools and Academies Show, Birmingham NEC, Thursday 17 November.

The team will be hosting a session at the show:

• 10 – 10:30: How Get help buying for schools can help your school (Business and Finance theatre)

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

• 10:30 – 10:50: Hiring supply teachers and agency workers for your school
• 12:00 – 12:20: Buying energy for your school

Schools & Academies Show Extra takes place on Tuesday 22 November. This additional virtual day will be exclusive to those registered for the show and the Schools Commercial Team are hosting a virtual session covering:

• Crime, fire and health & safety resilience in schools

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