Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 5 October 2022

Published 5 October 2022

This correspondence was withdrawn on 27 December 2023

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date.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

Applies to England

1. Reminder: the coronavirus (COVID19) 16 to 19 tuition fund 2022 to 2023 form is now live

The coronavirus (COVID19) 16 to 19 tuition fund 2022 to 2023 opt in/out digital form is now live.

The deadline for your submission is 11:59pm on 21 October 2022.

We’ve published guidance to access and help you complete the form.

You can read more about the fund on GOV.UK.

2. Reminder: Department for Education (DfE) consultation on FE funding and accountability closing date extended

Since July, the DfE have been consulting on proposals for a reformed FE funding and accountability system. This was due to close on 21 September 2022, but after taking into account feedback from some stakeholders we have decided to extend the closing date to 12 October 2022.

If you are interested in understanding our proposals in more detail please see the consultation, ‘Implementing a new FE Funding and Accountability system’ here, where you can also find the link to respond.

We welcome your responses and thank you in advance for taking the time to give us your views.

3. Reminder: unspent PE and sport premium funding from 2021 to 2022 academic year must be returned to the Department for Education (DfE)

The deadline for using PE and sport premium allocated in the 2021 to 2022 academic year was 31 July 2022.

The exceptional permissions for schools to carry forward PE and sport premium funding which was granted during the COVID-19 pandemic has now ended.

Any schools with unspent funding from 2021 to 2022 academic year should make arrangements to return this to the Department. Please contact us if you require advice on how to do this.

DfE will continue to sample school PE and sport premium reports. Where unspent 2021 to 2022 funding is identified, DfE will seek to recover any monies which have not already been returned.

4. Information: convert to an academy guidance for sixth-form colleges

We have published an updated version of the guidance for sixth-form colleges considering becoming a 16 to 19 academy and the accompanying application form.

This autumn 2022 update:

• references that provision is being made to enable sixth-form colleges with a religious character to convert to academy status to become 16 to 19 academies, whilst being able to continue to retain their religious designation after conversion
• reflects the latest vision for the academies sector
• improves the clarity of the guidance in response to stakeholder feedback
• updates terminology and procedural descriptions to ensure accuracy, including updated links to HMRC VAT guidance and post-Brexit arrangements

A further update to this guidance will be published, once the regulations to enable sixth-form colleges with a religious character to convert to academy status have come into force.

5. Information: recent fraudulent attempts against education providers

We have been made aware of an attempt by a fraudster to request the bank details of an education provider. In this case, the fraudster had created a very similar email address to the correct email address of the supplier, as well as using correct contact names.

Please report allegations of suspected fraud or financial irregularity to us.

We have published a guide on cybercrime and cyber security to help raise education providers’ awareness.

Further guidance on reducing fraud risks is also available (this was produced for academies, but maybe helpful to all organisations).

6. Information: new and improved agency supply framework now live

Crown Commercial Service has launched a new and improved version of its agency supply framework. The Supply teachers and temporary staffing framework has been approved by DfE and is live on Find a Framework.

Our latest Buying for Schools blog post highlights the improvements to the framework and how you can access it.

If you have any further questions about the new framework, you can book a place on our next ‘Hiring supply teachers and agency workers for your school’ webinar on 11 October.

7. Information: book an informal 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on 13 October

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.

8. Information: join these webinars on approved frameworks and see how you could save money for your school

Are you responsible for buying goods and services for your school? The Schools Commercial Team (SCT) within the Department for Education is leading on the Buying for Schools programme; delivering services to support schools to buy goods and services.

The team are hosting free webinars on how using our approved frameworks could save you time and help your school get value for money. Our autumn programme begins week commencing 26 September with the webinars listed below. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

• Buying legal services for your school – 11 Oct
• Hiring supply teachers and agency workers for your school – 11 Oct
• Buying school building maintenance, extensions and refurbishment – 11 Oct
• Buying professional services for your school – 12 Oct
• The Risk Protection Arrangement - an alternative to commercial insurance – 12 Oct
• The cyber cover you’ll get as part of the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) – 12 Oct

You can find the full programme of webinars for the autumn term on the Autumn 2022 webinar page. Visit the page to find out more and book your place.

9. Information: new School Food Standards compliance pilot

We have just launched a School Food Standards compliance pilot with the Food Standards Agency across 18 participating local authorities in England.

The pilot aims to design and test a new approach to support schools to comply with the existing School Food Standards. This research will help inform the role local authorities could play in assuring and supporting compliance with the standards. All schools in the pilot areas have been contacted directly. If you have any queries about the pilot, please contact us.