Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 26 April 2023

Published 3 May 2023

Applies to England

1. Information: local authority section 151 officer return certificate for the financial year 2022 to 2023

A reminder that the return for the financial year 2022 to 2023 is in an online format and is available to complete for pre and post 16 funding.

You may also know this as the chief financial officer (CFO) return.

Please note there will be no manual version emailed out to local authorities.

For more information and instructions on completing your return, read the local authority section 151 officer grant return guidance.

The deadline for submitting all funding forms and your section 151/CFO certificate for the financial year 2022 to 2023 is 5pm on 19 May 2023.

2. Information: local authority planning calendar for 2023 to 2024

We’ve published the local authority planning calendar which shows important dates for ESFA activities in the 2023 to 2024 financial year that relate to local authority funding, finance and compliance with funding regulations.

3. Information: update to targeted support fund offer to support teachers and leaders participating in national professional qualifications (NPQs) from the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

We’ve updated the targeted support fund offer for the 2023 to 2024 academic year to further incentivise state-funded schools and state-funded 16 to 19 educational settings in England to participate in NPQs.

For each state-funded school and 16 to 19 organisation that employs a teacher or leader who takes a NPQ in the 2023 to 2024 academic year, the following funding will apply:

• state-funded primary schools with 1 to 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £800
• state-funded primary schools with more than 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200
• state-funded secondary schools and state-funded 16 to 19 educational settings with 1 to 600 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200

You can read the targeted support funding grant conditions of grant and view the NPQs currently available in our course prospectus.

4. Information: Have you got your ticket yet to visit Buying for Schools at the Schools and Academies Show on 17 May?

Join the DfE Schools Commercial Team at the Schools and Academies Show, London Excel on Wednesday 17 May.

The team will be hosting a session at the show:

10 – 10:30: How Get help buying for schools can help your school (Business and Finance theatre)

You can also speak directly to the team and join our mini sessions at the Government Education Village:

13:50 – 14:10: Energy and your school

14:20 – 14:40: Is your school cyber secure?

Register now. Registration is free for schools, multi-academy trusts and the wider public sector.

5. Information: Buying for Schools webinars – book your place now

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

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

• Buying cleaning services for your school
• Buying catering for your school
• Buying support services for your school – 9 May
• Buying cloud-based computing services for your school – 9 May
• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through West Mercia Energy – 9 May

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

6. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs

The Schools Commercial Team are 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 to us about anything you like to help you make informed buying choices for your school.

There is no pressure or obligation to take any of our recommendations forward following the conversation. Book your 1:1 conversation now.