Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 31 May 2023

Published 31 May 2023

Applies to England

1. Reminder: Academy Finance Professionals June Power Hour on the Budget Forecast Return (BFR)

Would you like to know more about the BFR before the 31 August 2023 deadline?

Join the next Power Hour on Tuesday 13 June 10am to 11am (please note new time of event).

The session will include:

• information on this year’s budget forecast return, why we have it and how we use the data
• how the BFR is completed, including a short demonstration of the form

There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the event. Register now to guarantee your place.

2. Information: year-end funding claim for 2022 to 2023

The year-end funding claim window will open at 9am on Thursday 8 June 2023.

Please submit your year-end funding claim by 5pm on Tuesday 13 June 2023. The claim form will be available on submit learner data. The funding claims user guide is available to help you complete the form.

You will need to submit a claim if you receive funds through these contracts:

• grant funded - ESFA funded adult education budget (AEB) (adult skills, community learning, 19 to 24 traineeships and national skills fund Level 3 adult offer (Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs))
• grant funded - advanced learner loans bursary (ALLB)
• 16 to 19 education

Once you have submitted your year-end funding claim on submit learner data, you will also be able to view it on Manage your education and skills funding.

You must not enter any adjustments relating to the earnings boost in your funding claim, we will do this after you have submitted the claim. Your indicative reconciliation statement will include the earnings boost that we have calculated.

If you have any queries, please use ESFA help centre to contact us.

3. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on 15 June

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.

4. Information: RPA Members - book your place on this Regulatory Mock Trial

The Department for Education (DfE), in conjunction with Willis Towers Watson, has developed a bespoke training seminar, ‘The Regulatory Mock Trial’.

This workshop has been designed to assist governors, trustees, directors, and members of Senior Leadership Teams to understand the challenges they face in implementing compliant health and safety management systems, enhance the prospects of avoiding enforcement action and improve the school’s defensive capabilities where a prosecution is pursued.

Places are for RPA members only and will be allocated on a first come first served basis:

• 9 June 2023
• 7 July 2023

5. Information: a beginners’ guide to using frameworks for school buying

Read our latest Buying for Schools blog post.

Emily Wignall, Digital Engagement and Information Manager in the DfE’s Schools Commercial Team, explains what a framework is and how using one can help your school navigate a legally compliant buying process, whilst saving time and money.

6. Information: sign up for our national professional qualification (NPQ) webinar on Tuesday 13 June

Did you know that National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are fully funded by the government and for each teacher or leader in your school who takes an NPQ this academic year:

• state-funded primary schools with one 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 16-19 educational settings with one to 600 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200

Schools Commercial Team are hosting a webinar to give you all the information you need about NPQs for the teachers and leaders in your school.

Sign up now for more details and a chance to ask questions.

7. Information: book your place on our Buying for Schools webinar

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 electricity and mains gas for your school through West Mercia Energy
• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through ESPO

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.