Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 25 November 2020

Published 25 November 2020

This correspondence was withdrawn on 29 December 2021

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. Read the latest editions of ESFA Update for up to date news and information.

Applies to England

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. Action: new DfE furniture framework developed specifically for the education sector

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a national furniture purchasing framework to support education establishments.

Administered by DfE, the approved framework is split into three lots where schools can purchase loose, fitted or bleacher furniture. You can take advantage of standard terms and conditions and competitive prices to access both large and small procurement requirements through this simple route.

You can find this and other DfE-approved buying for schools frameworks that provide value for money on GOV.UK.

3. Reminder: R04 individualised learner record (ILR) data return

The R04 ILR data return closes on Friday 4 December. It is important that you submit accurate and timely data.
We use your R04 data return in several ways, including:

• calculating 16 to 19 funding allocations and growth for the 2021 to 2022 funding year
• calculating the carry over costs for procured non-levy apprenticeship contracts for the 2021 to 2022 financial year
• supporting the calculation of 19+ funding allocations for the 2021 to 2022 funding year
• measuring the performance of your adult education budget (contract for services), 16 to 18 traineeship (for providers without 16 to 19 funding) and 19 to 24 traineeship contract value as set out in the adult education budget funding and performance-management rules

For further information on data submissions please refer to our individualised learner record (ILR) guidance and also our funding guidance for young people: ILR funding returns.

If you have any queries, please contact your territorial team lead.

4. Information: academies accounts return support

To help you complete the accounts return, we are hosting a series of MS Teams calls and web chats. The next web chat is on Thursday 26 November 2020 from 10am to 11am. We use sli.do for our web chat service. Please enter #AR2020 to access the web chat forum.

The next MS Teams call is on Tuesday 1 December 2020 from 1pm to 2pm. You can either use the MS Teams app or call on 02033 215 238, using conference code 412 051 310# when prompted.

You can view the full schedule for our MS Teams calls and web chats on GOV.UK.

5. Information: subcontracting returns following consultation response: extension to December deadlines

Earlier this year ESFA published its response to the subcontracting consultation. Within this document, we gave a deadline of 31 December 2020 for the following:

• 16 to 19 provision only: requests to continue with existing “distance learning” arrangements in 2021 to 2022
• 16 to 19 provision only: requests to continue with “whole programme subcontracting” arrangements in 2021 to 2022
• excluding ESF provision and local authorities: cases made to the agency If providers do not think they can reduce their subcontracting

COVID-19 has impacted ESFA’s timelines for publishing the autumn document. This publication will set out further detail of what we expect from providers in relation to these requests to the agency, including what should be included in the request and where this should be sent to. The deadline for sending these requests will be extended to 31 January 2021.

6. Information – for trusts with free schools – use of Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS)

We are writing separately to all trusts with free schools in their estate about the new, improved DfE Good Estate Management for schools (GEMS) website and information resource. The annual free schools customer satisfaction survey we sent out earlier this year indicated that awareness and use of GEMS in the sector was low.

GEMS information offers significant benefits on saving money in operational costs; and in running safer, healthier and more sustainable schools. GEMS also offers guidance on asset management plans.

All trusts should have an asset management plan or be looking to create one. This is a plan setting out the building and maintenance needs across your school(s) and how they will be prioritised and managed over the next 3 to 5 years.

We are looking to assess the use of these plans in the free schools sector. Please ensure you respond to the simple enquiry when you receive it.

7. Information: helping children who suffered abuse during lockdown

New lesson plans and resources for Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 students have been published to help support children and young people in England who may have suffered harms, including sexual and physical abuse, during lockdown. This is part of a new campaign, ‘Something’s Not Right’, which aims to build children’s awareness of the support services available to them and encourage disclosure of abuse to a trusted adult.

The resources have been developed by the Home Office and PSHE Association, in partnership with charities including Childline and Barnardo’s. They focus on helping children recognise abuse and overcoming the barriers to reporting it.

Further information on ‘Something’s Not Right’ can be accessed on the campaign portal.

If you have any questions or would like any more information, please contact the campaign team.

8. Information: Operation Encompass teachers’ helpline

The founders of Operation Encompass, an information sharing, safeguarding initiative between police and schools, have set up a teachers’ helpline to assist school staff supporting children who may be experiencing domestic abuse.

Funded by the Home Office, the helpline will be available weekdays from 8.00am to 11.00am throughout term-time and will provide school staff with the opportunity for guidance, information and support from educational psychologists.

For more information and resources, please visit the Operation Encompass website.