Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 7 November 2019

Published 7 November 2019

This correspondence was withdrawn on

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. Find the latest information from ESFA in the latest ESFA Update.

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2019

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-november-2019/esfa-update-academies-7-november-2019

1. Information: pre-election period guidance for schools and academy trusts

We have published a brief guide for schools and academy trusts with information about things to consider in the pre-election period before the general election on 12 December 2019.

2. Action: academies accounts return 2018/19 online form now open

The academies accounts return (AR) online form is now live for users to complete and submit their trust’s return before the 20 January 2020 deadline.

The AR can only be submitted by the trust’s external auditor. Please check that the external auditor details are correct as soon as possible, this is to ensure they have access to the return and avoid delays in submitting. For more information, see our AR guidance.

If you have difficulties in accessing the form please read the IDAMS registration guidance. Your login details will be the same ones as previously used for the budget forecast returns earlier in the year.

If you have any questions, please use our online enquiry form. Please select option ‘Academies financial returns’ and provide your trust’s UPIN or company number.

Please note:

The accounts return 2018/19 online form has been updated to give a more user-friendly experience.

The form now has a new look and feel with added features and functionality. To benefit from the new features we recommend the use of a modern web browser, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

These browsers come with enhanced functionality allowing you to, for example, freeze of table headers on the form. This feature is currently unavailable on Internet Explorer 11.

3. Action: submit your school resource management self-assessment tool checklist

Thank you to those academy trusts that have already submitted their school resource management self-assessment tool checklist.

If you haven’t yet submitted your checklist, please do this before the deadline of Thursday 14 November 2019.

Please do not use your DfE sign-in or IDAMS registration details. They will not work with this form.

If you have used this type of online form before (for example, for the academies accounts submission cover sheet) you can log in using the same details.

You can also “sign up” to create a new password for the checklist return.

4. Action: Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2020 to 2021

The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2020 to 2021 is now open for applications.

CIF is an annual bidding round for eligible academies, sixth-form colleges and non-diocesan Voluntary Aided schools to apply for capital funding. Most CIF funding is allocated to address significant condition need and a small proportion goes to high performing establishments to address overcrowding or create extra places.

We have updated the Condition Improvement Fund page on GOV.UK with guidance for 2020 to 2021.

If you are applying to CIF for the first time, you must register to use the portal by 12 noon on Friday 29 November 2019.

The deadline to submit your application for CIF 2020 to 2021 is 12 noon on Friday 13 December 2019.

5. Information: financial support for academy trusts in financial difficulty

We have published information about financial support for academy trusts in financial difficulty.

The guide explains ESFA’s established procedure for considering financial support for academy trusts when they are experiencing financial difficulty. The information aims to give greater clarity about:

  • the categories ESFA has for the use of financial support
  • the circumstances in which ESFA may provide financial support and its repayment terms
  • the criteria against which ESFA assesses academy trusts requesting financial support
  • the conditions ESFA may make on academy trusts to ensure financial support is managed effectively

6. Information: 16 to 19 funding arrangements for 2020 to 2021

In September, we said we would update you on the 16 to 19 funding arrangements for academic year 2020 to 2021. This week, we published details on:

You said you want to receive information as soon as possible so we’re publishing details as they become available. These pages will replace our annual funding letter and you can expect to hear more when we will confirm:

  • 16 to 19 data source tables for academic year 2020 to 2021
  • more information on the Teachers’ pension scheme employer contribution grant for further education providers

If you have any questions after reading our guidance, please contact us using our online enquiry form.

Back to top