ESFA Update academies: 2 October 2019
Published 2 October 2019
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1. Reminder: get ready for Brexit
The UK is leaving the EU on 31 October 2019. Find out how to prepare your business.
The government has guaranteed that in the event of leaving the EU without a deal, all those who are resident in the UK before the UK leaves the EU will be able to stay. Employers should ensure that their employees, including apprentices, who are EU/EEA or Swiss citizens living in the UK are aware that they and their family members will need to apply for settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme in order to secure their rights. Many of your employees will have already applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, or be in the process of doing so. But if they haven’t, they still have until 31 December 2020 to do so (30 June 2021 if the UK leaves with a deal). Use the toolkit for employers to help your employees.
Irish citizens’ right to live in the UK will not change when the UK leaves the EU. Irish citizens do not need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, but their family members who are not Irish or British citizens will need to do so.
All EU/EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members starting an apprenticeship in England in the 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021 academic years will remain eligible for apprenticeship funding. The funding rules will be updated to reflect this.
2. Action: land and building collection tool is now open for completion by 4 November 2019
The land and buildings collection tool (LBCT) is now open for trusts to complete their return. The deadline for submission is Monday 4 November 2019. This return is for academy trusts that were open as at 31 August 2019. Please use this link to access the LBCT online form.
Please see the LBCT GOV.UK page, which has full details of:
- guidance documents
- weekly skype calls (full timetable and joining instructions)
- web-chats
- enquiry form queries
We are hosting weekly skype calls and web-chats throughout the collection period. Our next skype call is tomorrow, Thursday 3 October 2pm to 2.30pm.
2.1 This week’s top tip:
Your login details will be the same as you used previously for the budget forecast returns. If you are struggling to access the form or it is your first time, please read the registration guidance.
The LBCT is in scope of the ESFA’s policy on publishing the names of academy trusts who are late, or do not submit, two or more financial returns in each academic year. We strongly advise all users to allow sufficient time for all checks to be completed and signed off by the deadline. Please note if you have any church owned land, your diocesan representative must have completed their review by the 4 November 2019 as well. If you’re unsure, please contact your local diocese.
3. Information: Declare or seek approval for a related party transaction – new guidance from 26 September
We have updated the related party transactions: information for academy trusts. This includes the summary guidance, guidance for church academy trusts and instructions for using the new online form. We’ve also added a checklist to help you when preparing to complete the online form.
As well as new contracts or agreements, the reporting requirements for related party transactions now also apply when renewing existing contracts.
Your feedback continues to help us develop the online form and guidance. If you have any comments, please use our online enquiry form selecting ‘related party transactions’.
4. Information: high needs funding operational guide for 2020 to 2021
We will publish the high needs operational guidance setting out arrangements for high needs funding in 2020 to 2021 on Thursday 3 October.
The guidance includes changes to the high needs funding system in 2020 to 2021, a summary of key dates and actions for local authorities and institutions, and information on funding arrangements for alternative provision.
We will also publish a separate guide for local authorities with special free schools.
5. Information: Autumn school census is approaching
The autumn school census 2019 opens on Thursday 3 October. You need to submit your information by Wednesday 30 October.
These user reports explain how to use COLLECT.
The interactive post-16 census tool supports institutions to return accurate 16 to 19 data. Post-16 funding reports are now available in COLLECT and we have published information on the reports and common data issues to help you check your data.
DfE have improved the school census guide following feedback from schools and local authorities. Following a full review, the 2019 to 2020 census guide has been replaced with a web-based manual.
6. Information: LearnED Roadshow events
The Department for Education is supporting the LearnED Roadshow events again this year.
Organised in conjunction with the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the LearnED Roadshow is a series of one-day conferences taking place across England from November 2019 to July 2020. The events provide access to peer-to-peer guidance and first-hand insights on using education technology to improve outcomes and reduce teacher workload.
Each training event provides a platform for senior leaders, digital leads and other teaching professionals to share best practice, school-wide implementation methods and advice on the best use of technology in the classroom.
The full agenda plus details of how to secure your free place can be found on the LearnED Roadshow website.