ESFA Update academies: 7 February 2024
Published 7 February 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-7-february-2024/esfa-update-academies-7-february-2024
1. Action: mid-year funding claim for 2023 to 2024
The mid-year funding claim window will open at 9am on Thursday 8 February 2024.
Please submit your mid-year funding claim by 5pm on Tuesday 13 February 2024. 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 the below grant-funded contracts:
- ESFA funded adult education budget (adult skills, community learning, 19 to 24 traineeships and Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs offer)
- advanced learner loans bursary
The 16 to 19 delivery section of the funding claim only needs to be signed off for your final funding claims. For 16 to 19 delivery, you do not need to take any action for mid-year or year-end funding claims.
Once you have submitted your mid-year funding claim on submit learner data, you will also be able to view it on manage your education and skills funding.
If you have any queries, please use ESFA help centre to contact us.
2. Action: join a National Tutoring Programme webinar on holiday tuition
Schools can use their 2023 to 2024 National Tutoring Programme (NTP) grant to pay for 50% of tutoring costs until 31 August 2024. This includes delivering tutoring in the holidays to support pupils transitioning between key stages and schools.
To find out more, register for our next webinar on Thursday 7 March at 12.30pm, which will cover the 2023 to 2024 NTP guidance and practical tips to support you in delivering holiday tuition.
You can submit questions in advance by emailing ntp.engagement@education.gov.uk.
We also encourage you to use the calculator tool to plan and track your tutoring. Watch the short video below to see how to use it.
3. Information: senior mental health lead training – extension of funding to July 2024
As of this week, eligible state funded schools and colleges can now claim a senior mental health lead training grant for training due to start by 31 July 2024.
All state schools and colleges can claim a £1,200 grant for their mental health lead to attend Department for Education (DfE) quality assured training.
The training will help your mental health lead develop your setting’s holistic approach to promoting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils, learners and staff.
If you previously claimed a grant and your trained lead has left your setting, you can also now apply for a second grant.
Information on eligibility and how to claim is available in the conditions of grant.
4. Information: School Business Professional (SBP) events – book your place now
The Schools Commercial team is hosting a programme of free webinars on how using DfE approved frameworks could save you time and help your school get value for money.
Topics covered include:
- Tuesday, 27 February 09:30 to 10:00 – buying facilities management services for your school
- Tuesday, 27 February 11:00 to 11:30 – how the Get help buying for schools service can support your school buying
- Tuesday, 27 February 14:00 to 14:30 – The Risk Protection Arrangement - an alternative to commercial insurance
View the spring 2024 programme and register to attend.
The Schools Commercial Team also run the Buying for Schools blog. Our most recent blog post from Frances Rowland, Chair of the ABLE network, looks at how the ABLE network supports school business professionals, and why you should consider joining a network if you’re not a member already.
5. Your feedback: indicative general annual grant (GAG) allocation statements
Are you currently converting to an academy, or have you done so in the last 12 months?
If so, we would like to talk to you about your user experience of indicative GAG allocation statements. Feedback from these sessions will help inform designs for a new digital service.
Meetings will take place online using Microsoft Teams and will last up to 60 minutes.
To register interest in taking part, please fill out this form.