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ESFA Update local authorities: 27 September 2023

Published 27 September 2023

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-27-september-2023/esfa-update-local-authorities-27-september-2023

1. Action: autumn school census 2023, Thursday 5 October

The 2023 autumn school census date is Thursday, 5 October. The deadline for returns is Wednesday, 1 November.

The school census data will be used to finalise funding allocations. It is important that you check the accuracy of your schools’ returns before you submit them.

Based on issues that schools have previously had, we suggest you particularly check that:

  • pupils previously in early years provision have their status changed from part-time to full-time
  • pupils arriving into reception are recorded correctly and not showing as ‘guest’ pupils
  • dual registered pupils are correctly recorded
  • school lunch taken is recorded correctly
  • primary schools in London do not record all pupils as FSM unless they have a valid claim
  • T Level students are recorded correctly

Our post-16 interactive census tool can help you understand how schools’ data is used to calculate 16 to 19 funding, in support of schools with sixth forms.

Full guidance to help with completing the census is available on GOV.UK.

If you have any queries about the school census, please use our service request form.

2. Action: deadline approaching to submit your 2022 to 2023 year-end statement for the National Tutoring Programme (NTP)

Thank you to those that have completed their year-end statement.

Schools and local authorities (including virtual school heads) that received the 2022 to 2023 NTP grant have until 2pm on Friday 29 September to submit the year-end statement.

You must report all tutoring delivered in the 2022/23 academic year (from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023). Failure to submit the form will result in your full funding allocation being recovered by the ESFA.

We’ve published guidance on how to submit your year-end statement, which includes a short video for schools.

Short video for schools

If you experience any technical issues with the form, contact the ESFA Help Centre.

For any other tutoring queries, contact the NTP support desk.

3. Action: recruit an academic mentor to maximise your NTP funding

The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) grant can be used cover 50% of your school’s tuition costs. To make the most of your funding, DfE can help you recruit an academic mentor who will join your staff and work alongside teachers to provide one-to-one and small group tutoring. Academic mentors can reach a large number of pupils and help embed tutoring within your school.

Join DfE for a webinar to find out about the free recruitment process and hear from a school to share their experience.

Please register using a link below – the content is the same on both days:

For more information, read our guide to academic mentors or email tutoring.support@service.education.gov.uk.

4. Information: backfill payments for time off timetable for early career framework (ECF) mentor training for the 2022 to 2023 academic year – autumn sweep up payments for eligible schools and organisations

In August 2023, we published the backfill payments for time off timetable for early career framework (ECF) mentor training allocations for participants who have undertaken ECF mentor training in the 2022 to 2023 academic year.

To ensure all eligible schools and organisations not captured in the summer 2023 payment window will be paid in-year, a sweep up payment will be made in autumn 2023.

Please ensure all relevant actions are completed on the Department for Education (DfE) manage training for early career teachers service page and that your training provider has also confirmed participant engagement with the training programme with the department.

For those schools and institutions within Buckinghamshire who were incorrectly identified as ‘rest of England’ instead of the ‘London fringe’ area, we will also be making payment corrections in the autumn sweep up.

These corrections will be applicable for 2022 and 2023 funding allocations.

Please note that corrective payments will be made automatically to those affected schools and organisations.

5. Information: funding for time off timetable for early career teachers and mentors who participated in the national roll-out of the early career framework – autumn sweep up payments for eligible schools and organisations

In August 2023, we published the funding for time off timetable for early career teachers and mentors who participated in the national roll-out of the early career framework (ECF) reforms’ allocations for eligible participants who undertook year 2 ECF training in the 2022 to 2023 academic year.

To ensure all eligible schools and organisations not captured in the summer 2023 payment window will be paid in-year, a sweep up payment will be made in autumn 2023.

Please ensure all relevant actions are completed on the Department for Education (DfE) manage training for early career teachers service page and that your training provider has also confirmed participant engagement with the training programme with the department.

For those schools and organisations within Buckinghamshire who were incorrectly identified as ‘rest of England’ instead of the ‘London fringe’ area, we will also be making payment corrections in the autumn sweep up.

These corrections will be applicable for 2023 funding allocations.

Please note that corrective payments will be made automatically to those affected schools and organisations.

6. Information: updated pupil premium allocations 2023 to 2024

We have published updated pupil premium allocations for 2023 to 2024 in advance of the 2nd quarter payment instalment. They have been updated to include academies and free schools as at 1 September 2023.

7. Information: COVID-19 recovery premium grant 2023 to 2024: September 2023 allocations

We have now published the September 2023 allocations for the COVID-19 recovery premium grant for the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

Allocations can be found on GOV.UK.

8. Information: Carlisle, Sunderland and Cambridge school business professional (SBP) roundtables – spaces available

There are spaces available at our Carlisle, Sunderland and Cambridge roundtables.

If you would like to join other SBPs from across the 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: join these webinars on approved frameworks and see how you could save money for your school

Are you a school business professional who buys goods and services for your school?

The Schools Commercial team host regular webinars on how using DfE approved frameworks could help your school get value for money. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

You can find the full programme of webinars for the autumn term on the Autumn 2023 webinar page. Visit the page to find out more and book your place.

10. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on Thursday 12 October

The Schools Commercial Team is offering the opportunity for a free, virtual 1:1 conversation with a member of the team to see how we can support you.

You can speak about anything you like to help you make informed buying choices for your school. There is no pressure or obligation to take any of the recommendations forward following the conversation.

Book your 1:1 conversation now.

11. Information: CDM (Construction Design and Management) and RPA cover workshop for RPA members

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 workshop covering:

  • the management of any construction projects to ensure legal compliance with the CDM Regulations and other associated legislation
  • the cover provided by the RPA for existing structures and contract works during the works period and changes required to any contractual joint names insurance

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis:

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