Correspondence

ESFA Update further education: 21 June 2023

Published 21 June 2023

Applies to England

1. Action: users of Submit learner data need a DfE sign-in account to continue using the service

Signing in to Submit learner data (SLD) service will be changing on 17July 2023.

All SLD users will need a Department for Education (DfE) Sign-in account to continue to use the service.

This change will not affect the way Submit Learner Data works once you are signed in.

If you are a SLD user you should have received an email about the change. These emails were sent to the email address linked to your IDAMs account.

If you use SLD and have not received an email about DfE Sign in, please check your spam or junk folder. If it’s not there, please contact us using the DfE Sign-in help form.

Find further information about DfE Sign-in.

2. Reminder: college reclassification and commercial loans

The letter from the ESFA Chief Executive to college principals on 29 November 2022 detailed the process for dealing with an outstanding balance remaining at the maturity of an existing commercial loan (balloon debt) and how existing overdrafts and Revolving Credit Facilities (RCF) are repaid.

DfE will consider a request for financial assistance if the maturing debt cannot be refinanced by a commercial lender compliant with MPM and a college does not have sufficient cash reserves to repay in full.

A college that requires DfE refinance should contact the FPMO Reclassification Team via email at least 6 months in advance of maturity to enable an application to be assessed, new loan documentation to be prepared and repayment to be made on the due date.

Colleges with an overdraft or RCF that cannot be worked down to nil should also contact the FPMO team to apply for refinance of the facility.

3. Information: a reminder about cyber security

Given the increase in recent cyber security incidents, we would like to remind educational settings of the importance of good cyber security hygiene.

Cyber criminals may seek to access systems used by schools to gain access to sensitive data.

For extra protection:

• ensure that all staff are following password policies
• stay vigilant against phishing emails
• familiarise yourself with the department’s Cyber Standards and NCSC’s infographic

We’ve also updated the ESFA cyber crime and cyber security guidance on GOV.UK.

4. Information: IfATE’s revisions status report for June 2023

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has published its latest revisions standards report.

The revisions status report:

• shows apprenticeships that are being revised
• provides a brief overview of the revisions planned for each apprenticeship
• states the stage that each revision has reached.

Read the report on the IfATE website.

5. Information: entries are now open for the National Apprenticeship Awards 2023

There are now under 2 weeks left to submit your application for the National Apprenticeship Awards 2023.

Back for their 20th year, the National Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase the apprentices, employers and champions who have gone above and beyond.
 
Entries to the awards are open until 5pm on Friday 30 June 2023. It is free to enter the awards, and all entries must be made through our application website.
 
Not sure if you should apply, or want some hints and tips to gain the edge? Check out our apprentice and apprentice champion or employer and rising star webinars.