Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 23 January 2023

Published 25 January 2023

Applies to England

1. Reminder: the academies accounts return deadline has now passed

The deadline to submit your trust’s accounts return has now passed.

Thank you to all trusts who submitted their trust’s accounts return before the deadline. If you have not submitted your accounts return, please make every effort to do so immediately.

If you are having difficulties completing or submitting the form, please see our guidance on GOV.UK or send us a query using the online enquiry form. Please select the option ‘Academies financial returns/IDAMS’ and provide your trust’s UPIN.

2. Information: funding service availability

The following services will be unavailable on Thursday 26 January 2023 between 6pm and 10pm, due to essential maintenance:

• Manage your education and skills funding
• Document exchange
• View latest funding
• View national funding formula for schools

If you have any problems accessing them after this time, please contact us.

3. Information: academies chart of accounts and automation dates for your diary

Adopting the chart of accounts and automation

For trusts who wish to have an introduction to the CoA and automation, please join one our webinars on Wednesday 15 March at 3pm.

3.1 Academies chart of accounts mapping review workshop

This new workshop is intended to promote best practice of using CoA account codes to maximise efficiency and provide quality data. The session is aimed at:

• academy trusts who are currently using the CoA
• academy trusts who are in the process of adopting and mapping to the CoA
• academy trusts who are thinking of adopted the CoA in the near future

There will be a presentation of about 20 minutes and the rest of the session will be available for trusts to ask specific questions about the CoA and mapping.

• Wednesday 15 February 2pm
• Wednesday 19 April 2pm

3.2 Question and answer session on the chart of accounts and automation

If you have other questions about the CoA and/or automation, please join one of our monthly Q&A dial in sessions:

• Thursday 9 February 11am
• Thursday 9 March 11am
• Thursday 13 April 11am

The dates and log-in details for both of these sessions can be found at the bottom of our webpage.

4. Information: academies national non-domestic rates (NNDR) historical claims for unclaimed years

This message is for all academies in relation to NNDR.

Academies can submit historic claims for previously unclaimed years. This applies to financial years 2017 to 2018 up until 2021 to 2022, which have not been claimed for.

Claims can be submitted on the academies NNDR service

Claims can be submitted up until 31 January 2023.

ESFA will not, under any circumstances, accept claims for previously unclaimed years after this deadline.

5. Information: academies national non-domestic rates (NNDR) new claims for 2022 to 2023

This message is for academies opted out of the new NNDR process. You can check if you still need to submit your own NNDR claim.

Academies that remain under the current NNDR arrangements because their billing authority has decided to not implement the new payment process for April 2022, should submit new claims for 2022 to 2023 by 31 January 2023.

Claims can be submitted on the academies NNDR service.

ESFA will not, under any circumstances, accept new claims after this deadline.

6. Information: academies national non-domestic rates (NNDR) adjustments to previous claims

This message is for all academies in relation to NNDR.

All academies and trusts can adjust previously paid NNDR claims for 2017 to 2018 to 2021 to 2022 using the academies NNDR service.

Claims can be submitted up until 31 January 2023.

ESFA will not, under any circumstances, accept adjustment claims after this deadline.

From April 2023 academies will only be able to submit adjustments for the previous financial year (2022 to 2023).

For academies whose billing authority has implemented the new payment process the previous financial year’s adjustments will be managed by the billing authority.

7. Information: school business professional (SBP) roundtable events – book your place now

If you would like to join other SBPs 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, you can register to attend one of our upcoming roundtable events:

• Scunthorpe – 31 January
• Colchester – 1 February
• Exeter – 9 February
• Nottingham – 14 February
• Manchester – 7 March
• Kent – 9 March
• Coventry – 14 March
• Leicester – 22 March
• Darlington – 23 March
• Leeds – 28 March
• Preston – 30 March

Register now and don’t miss out!

8. Information: Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) members – is your school cyber secure?

A cyber security incident can affect your school’s ability to function​, your RPA cyber cover will only apply if you meet these four conditions:​

1. Have off-line backups​
2. Undertake NCSC cyber security training​
3. Register with police cyber alarm​
4. Have a cyber response plan ​

​Your cyber cover as an RPA member includes any actual or suspected unauthorised access to any computer or systems​. If you have any concerns, no matter how small contact the 24/7 dedicated helpline 0800 368 6378 or RPAresponse@CyberClan.com ​

Taking action immediately could save your school time and money.

9. Information: join our Risk Protection Arrangement webinar – 2 February

This webinar will tell you everything you need to know about the DfE’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), an alternative to commercial insurance which aims to protect schools against losses due to any unforeseen and unexpected events.

You will find out how to access the RPA, and it will also be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Sign up now.