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Guidance

16 to 19 funding: maths and English condition of funding

Information for institutions on the maths and English condition of funding.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
27 November 2024
Last updated:
24 July 2026
Show all updates

  1. In point 2.9, we have clarified that students with a GCSE grade 3 must study towards a GCSE, while students with a GCSE grade 2 or below may study towards either a GCSE or Functional Skills level 2. This is a clarification only and does not represent a change in policy.

  2. The method on how we are calculating the maths and English condition of funding has not changed for 2026 to 2027. We have updated rates in the example calculation to match the rates for the new academic year.

  3. We have added the 16 to 19 funding maths and English condition of funding (CoF) for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

  4. We have updated the page to include links to organisations that offer continuous professional development for English and maths teachers of level 2 and below.

  5. We have made clarifications to the maths and English condition of funding guidance for 2025 to 2026. These include; supporting eligible students to make progress, support for institutions from the FE commissioner and DfE CPD, role of exams in helping students make progress and role of stepping stones qualifications.

  6. We have amended the section on English and maths progress measures in the 2025 to 2026 conditions of funding following the return of these measures as part of the data for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

  7. We've updated the 2025 to 2026 attachment and you can see what we've changed in the updates for 2025 to 2026 section.

  8. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

2026 to 2027 academic year: 16 to 19 funding – maths and English condition of funding

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2025 to 2026 academic year: 16 to 19 funding – maths and English condition of funding

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2024 to 2025 academic year: 16 to 19 funding – maths and English condition of funding

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Details

This guidance sets out the maths and English condition of funding requirements.

Use the guidance for each academic year to understand:

  • the purpose of the policy
  • specific changes for the relevant academic year
  • what your institution must do to meet the maths and English condition of funding, including approved qualifications
  • how non-compliance will impact your 16 to 19 funding allocation
  • exemptions and how they apply
  • audit and inspections

Gaining level 2 skills in both maths and English helps students seize opportunities in life, learning and work. The maths and English condition of funding ensure that 16- to 19-year-olds on study programmes without GCSE maths and English grade 4 or above get support to:

  • improve their English and maths skills
  • make progress towards level 2

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