ESFA Update local authorities: 24 March 2021
Published 24 March 2021
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2021
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1. Latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Department for Education has published guidance about COVID-19 in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students on GOV.UK.
Please check GOV.UK regularly for updates.
2. Reminder: coronavirus (COVID-19) workforce fund for schools and colleges
The coronavirus (COVID-19) workforce fund for schools and colleges online form went live on 10 March 2021.
The deadline to submit your claim is 11.59pm on 31 March 2021.
We’ve published guidance to help you complete the form.
3. Information: early years entitlements and top-up funding for spring 2021 and 2021 to 2022 financial year.
On 18 March, we published:
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An update to policy guidance on the use of free early education entitlements funding during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We are temporarily varying our approach to funding early years over the next financial year to give local authorities and providers more protection over their funding income.
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Technical guidance for local authorities setting out the process for applying the 2021 spring term top up funding for the financial year 2020 to 2021, and the funding approach for the financial year 2021 to 2022. This guidance also sets out what information we need from local authorities to determine the spring term top up allocation and funding allocation for the next financial year.
4. Information: free meals in further education
16 to 19 funded providers with a free meals in FE allocation will be able to apply to ESFA for retrospective additional funding (up to £3.50 per eligible student per week) for the latest period of attendance restrictions (4 January to 5 March 2021).
Institutions will need to submit a funding claim to ESFA for consideration to apply for additional funding if they meet the criteria. Funding claims must be for meal costs that could not be serviced from existing free meals in FE or 16 to 19 discretionary bursary allocations. More information can be found in the free meals in further education guide.
The claims window will open in April 2021 and further details about how to claim will be added to the free meals guide shortly.
On 8 March 2021, students returned to their 16 to 19 providers and normal free meals in FE arrangements apply. However, where students eligible for free meals are self-isolating at home, institutions should seek to ensure they continue to be supported for the short period where they are unable to attend in person. To support the transition back, institutions who are providing lunch parcels (only) for eligible free meal students who are self-isolating, will continue to be able to claim for additional funding in line with the criteria set out here, up until the Easter break (no later than 2 April 2021).
5. Information: is your school looking to replace or renew its heating system? You could save time and money
Come along to one of DfE Schools Commercial Team and Fusion21 workshops.
Lot 10 of the Fusion21- Heating systems and renewable technology is a DfE approved framework designed specifically for the education sector It provides a range of services from consultancy to design, servicing, maintenance, and installation plus a selection of renewable technology applications.
This DfE led session will outline the benefits and explain how schools can access framework to meet their buying needs.
Click on the events below to register:
By attending, you will:
- gain an understanding of how to access the framework
- understand details of the services included within Lot 10
- have an opportunity to ask the supplier any questions you may have.
6. Information: RPA members - flood, storm, and water damage workshops
Willis Towers Watson is providing risk management support for all RPA members through audit, guidance, and advice. As part of the risk management support RPA members are invited to a flood, storm and water damage workshop covering:
- how to identify and manage the risks from floods and storms
- how to reduce the risk of water damage from internal plant and equipment (for example gas fired heating systems.
This workshop will be useful for those with:
- with overall responsibility for premises or business continuity management
- with facilities management responsibilities on a day-to-day basis.
Click on the events below to register:
By attending, you will:
- gain an understanding of how to evaluate the level of risk from flood and storm
- be prepared for a flood or storm incident so impacts are reduced to a manageable level
- demonstrate how effective preventative maintenance and inspection can reduce the risk of internal water leaks from plant and equipment.
7. Information: Do you hire supply teachers and agency workers for your school?
Come along to one of DfE Schools Commercial Team and Crown Commercial Services (CCS) workshops.
Hiring supply teachers and agency workers is a DfE-approved framework designed specifically for the education sector. Join this session to see how you could save your school time and money on agency supply.
This DfE led session will outline the benefits, including details of how this will help save money on temp-to-perm fees and explain how schools can access framework. Click on the events below to register:
By attending, you will:
- gain an understanding of how to access the framework
- have an opportunity to ask the supplier any questions you may have.