Correspondence

ESFA Update further education: 20 December 2023

Published 20 December 2023

Applies to England

1. Information: English and maths funding uplift

Earlier in the year the Prime Minister announced an uplift in the funding rates for English and maths qualifications for all post-16 apprentices who have not gained their Level 2 qualification.

From 1 January 2024 we will increase funding for apprentices starting their English and maths qualifications. This will apply to English and maths qualifications at entry level, Level 1 and Level 2.  

The funding rate will be brought in line with the equivalent core funding rate in the adult education budget (AEB), as follows:

• entry level, L1 and 2 English will increase from £471 to £724
• entry level maths will increase from £471 to £941
• L1 and L2 maths will increase from £471 to £724
• GCSE English and maths will increase from £471 to £864

For more information, please view our help article.

2. Information: National Careers Service Showcase 17 January 2024

The National Careers Service provides high quality, impartial and free careers Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) for adults in England, helping them to make decisions on learning, training and work.  There is also helpline and webchat support for young people aged 13+, and support around the exam results period. 

Careers IAG underpins so many elements of the DfE’s skills agenda, and careers guidance professionals can help individuals to determine the best learning options to help them meet their goals.   

The National Careers Service received great feedback from their previous showcase which was attended by many readers of ESFA Update:

It was all very interesting and a helpful overview of all the different elements of the National Careers Service.

It was interesting to see the wide range of people you offer the service to.   
The team would like to invite those who have not attended before to join them on their next virtual showcase on the 17 January 2pm to 4pm where you will learn more about the Service offer.

If you would like to join the showcase please email the team who will send you the invite at national.careersservice@education.gov.uk.

3. Information: guidance for schools and colleges: Gender Questioning Children

The Department for Education has yesterday (19 December) published non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges on how best to support students under the age of 18 questioning their gender in education settings. 12 Week Consultation – no immediate action required.

The focus of this is to provide practical advice for schools and colleges to help them make decisions regarding children who are questioning their gender, in a way that prioritises safeguarding, and parents’ central role in their children’s lives.

This is draft guidance for consultation and so we would like to encourage schools, colleges, parents and the sector to engage with the consultation process, which will run for 12 weeks. The guidance does not apply to independent training providers.

We know the urgency behind publishing this guidance for schools and colleges which is why we’ve put it out as soon as possible and as promised. We are also aware that many schools and colleges have commenced their Christmas break this week and so there is no immediate action to be taken now. We welcome your engagement and responses to the consultation from the New Year.

For further information please visit GOV.UK for the press notice and full draft guidance and consultation.