Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 22 November 2023

Published 22 November 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-22-november-2023/esfa-update-local-authorities-22-november-2023

1. Action: Use the National Tutoring Programme calculator tool to plan and track tuition

As schools continue to use the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) in 2023 to 2024, we encourage you to download the calculator tool to help you track tutoring delivered.

Watch our video for a quick demonstration of how to use the calculator tool.

this video

For more information on NTP, read the NTP guidance for schools or view our Guide to Tutoring.

2. Reminder: R04 ILR data return (06 December 2023)  

The R04 ILR data return closes on Wednesday 6 December.

It is important that you submit accurate and timely data.

We use your R04 data return in calculating the allocations for procured non-levy apprenticeship contracts for the 2024 to 2025 financial year.

For further information on data submissions please refer to Individualised Learner Record (ILR) technical documents, guidance and requirements.

3. Reminder: 2022 to 2023 final reconciliation statements

Thank you for submitting your 2022 to 2023 final funding claim.

Reconciliation statements will be available for you to view on Manage your Education Skills and Funding by the end of November 2023. This will set out the final position for the 2022 to 2023 funding year and inform the funding that is required to repay (if applicable) or over delivery funding that we will pay.

Final Reconciliation Statements are published following submission of a final funding claim for the following funding streams:

  • grant funded - ESFA funded adult education budget (AEB) (adult skills, community learning, 19 to 24 traineeships and Level 3 free courses for jobs offer (previously known as the national skills fund))
  • grant funded - advanced learner loans bursary (ALLB)

If you are required to repay funds back to us, we will schedule those repayments from December 2023.

4. Information: adult education budget (AEB) performance management review, December 2023

The AEB performance management request form is now available on GOV.UK

At the performance management review, providers will have the opportunity to request an exceptional case for growth in ESFA funded level 3 free courses for jobs.

Grant Providers with an AEB contract can request:

  • a first-time request for ESFA funded level 3 free courses for jobs up to the value of £45,000
  • top up an existing ESFA funded level 3 free courses for jobs allocation if it is below £45,000

Contract for Services Providers with an AEB contract (procured from August 2023) can request:

  • a first-time request for ESFA funded level 3 free courses for jobs up to the value of £45,000
  • top up an existing ESFA funded level 3 free courses for jobs allocation if it is below £45,000
  • an exceptional request for an exemption from an automatic reduction of your allocation if your delivery is below the published threshold

The deadline for submissions is 5pm Wednesday 6 December 2023.

For further information on the performance review of adult education budget, please refer to the AEB funding and performance management rules 2023 to 2024.

5. Information: publication of early years teachers’ pay additional grant (EY TPAG)

We have now published the details and allocations of EY TPAG. This grant will distribute the £12.5m funding that is being provided to support early years providers with increased costs associated with the September 2023 teachers’ pay award, and will be paid to local authorities, in a single payment, on 30 November 2023 to cover the 7-month period between 1 September 2023 and 31 March 2024.

Local authority allocations can be found in the early years teachers’ pay grant allocations tables, and the terms and conditions for use of this funding are set out in the conditions of grant.

More information on how EY TPAG rates have been calculated, and how funding has been distributed to local authorities is available in the EY TPAG methodology and operational guidance and accompanying EY TPAG step-by-step tables.

6. Information: update to dedicated schools grant (DSG) 2023 to 2024

We have updated the 2023 to 2024 DSG funding allocations to reflect in-year recoupment and high needs deductions.

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

DfE’s Schools Commercial Team is hosting free webinars on 5 December 2023 on how using approved frameworks could save you time and help your school get value for money.

Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

8. Information: Stratford-upon-Avon and Wakefield school business professional (SBP) roundtables – spaces available 

Are you responsible for buying for your school or trust?  There are spaces available at DfE’s Stratford-upon-Avon and Wakefield roundtable events.

If you are based nearby and would like to join colleagues from across your region to network, share your procurement issues and priorities, and find out more about the free procurement support available from the DfE, book your place now:

9. Information: getting your school ready for winter

In our latest Buying for Schools blog post, Paul McKeown from the DfE’s Water Strategy Team shares some useful tips to help prepare your school for winter and reduce the risk of disruption that adverse weather conditions can bring.

Read Paul’s Getting your school ready for winter blog post on GOV.UK.

10. Your feedback: take part in user research about a new Department for Education (DfE) service

DfE are working to improve your experience in finding and navigating information and services from DfE - making it quicker and easier to feel confident you’ve got the right information for your role.

DfE would like to learn about your role and how you find and use information, guidance and services provided by DfE. DfE would also like to test different names for the service to ensure it reflects its purpose and is relatable.

It will be a 45-60 mins online session.

Researchers would like to speak with school business professionals and school leaders from academies, trusts, and local authority maintained schools. If you have any access needs, we are keen to speak to you too.

The sessions will run from 27 November to 15 December 2023 with further opportunities in 2024.

You will be able to share your experience of finding and using information, guidance and services provided by DfE, and help shape the name of a new DfE service. You will receive a payment of £40 in the form of a bank transfer or voucher.

Sign-up now to take part. Your personal data will be kept confidential.

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