Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 5 August 2020

Published 5 August 2020

This correspondence was withdrawn on

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date.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. Information: schemes for financing local authority maintained schools

Further to the publication of the ‘Financial transparency of LA maintained schools and academy trusts’ consultation response on 21 July, we have now updated the statutory guidance on schemes for financing local authority maintained schools.

The scheme now includes the provision for schools to submit a 3-year budget forecast each year, and a recovery plan if their deficit rises above 5%.

3. Information: 16 to 19 tuition fund

We have updated the 16-19 tuition fund guidance originally published on 24 July as there was an omission in the original version. We wish to make it clear that although the actual tuition does not need to be for GCSE English or maths, the students supported all need to be those who had not achieved grade 4 or above in at least one of those subjects at this level by age 16.

You can read the updated 16 to 19 tuition fund guidance on GOV.UK.

4. Information: the National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline

The National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline is available again this year, providing professional and personalised advice to those receiving any exam results, including BTECs, GCSEs and A Levels. The Exams Results Helpline runs from Wednesday 12 August and continues until Friday 28 August. It is available for young people, and their parents or carers looking for careers support, who can contact the helpline on 0800 100 900 from 8am to 10pm 7 days a week.

As well as the Exam Results Helpline, National Careers Service has developed new pages on its website, offering post-16 and post-18 advice, covering everything from exploring options and career routes at 16 and 18, to how to write a CV and how to find job opportunities. Please see the National Careers Service website for further information.