DfE Update academies: 10 September 2025
Published 10 September 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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1. Action: Bursaries for school business professionals
We are offering a limited number of bursaries for school business professionals to undertake the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy accredited level 7 diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.
We will pay 75% of the course cost for successful applicants.
If you are a permanent employee in a maintained school or academy trust, with responsibility for finance, operational leadership or procurement, please consider applying.
Information on the course content can be found at: Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.
Applicants have until 5pm on Tuesday 16 September 2025 to submit your application.
For any questions about the bursaries contact: SBP.POLICY@education.gov.uk
2. Action: Care to Learn and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund digital form
From academic year 2025 to 2026, we’ve changed how you access funding for the Care to Learn scheme and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, defined vulnerable groups element and we have explained this in the funding rules for each scheme.
You must now submit a funding claim form to us at set points in the year.
The first claim window is now open and the deadline for your submission is 5pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
We have published guidance to help you complete your submission which includes the link to the form.
3. Action: DfE funded Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply procurement fundamentals roll-out
DfE funded Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) procurement fundamentals training is now available.
This free education-specific CIPS training will provide schools and trusts with the principles of procurement and helps support your continuous professional development.
There will be 6 fully funded one day (6 hours) virtual courses available on a range of dates in the autumn term, covering essential procurement processes and techniques.
This course will be useful for trust and school-based staff that conduct procurement activities within their role, or for staff that have an interest in specialising in procurement.
You can apply for a fully funded place through the CIPS Procurement Fundamentals Training form. We recommend you apply as soon as possible, as we expect places to fill quickly.
Applicants who have not been able to secure a place on the autumn term course will be added to the spring 2026 reserve list.
4. Information: 16 to 19 high value course premium for construction for academic year 2026 to 2027
On 23 March 2025, the Chancellor announced £600 million worth of investment to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers.
This will deliver well paid jobs across the country in the construction sector and help build 1.5 million homes to transform communities by the end of this Parliament.
£165 million of new funding will be available to help institutions deliver more construction courses for all learners, with up to £35 million available in academic year 2026 to 2027 to support 16 to 19 funded students.
We have published details of high value course premium (HVCP) for construction, which is additional funding to encourage and support delivery of selected substantial level 2 and level 3 study programmes and T Levels in sector subject area (SSA) 5.2 – Building and construction, to support an increase in skilled construction workers.
5. Information: No further requests for 16 to 19 business cases for academic year 2025 to 2026
The window to request a 16 to 19 business case for the 2025 to 2026 academic year has now closed and no further requests will be considered.
6. Webinar: Risk protection arrangement members only workshop – risk assessment and competent person workshop
Wednesday 24 September 2025, 10am to midday. Register online.
7. Webinar: DfE auditor webinar on automating the accounts return
Wednesday 24 September 2025, at midday to 1pm. Register on Eventbrite.
8. Webinar: DfE auditor webinar on automating the accounts return
Wednesday 1 October 2025, at 1pm to 2pm. Register on Eventbrite.
9. Webinar: Automating your accounts return
Wednesday 5 November 2025, at 2pm to 3pm. Register on Eventbrite.