Correspondence

DfE Update further education: 11 February 2026

Published 11 February 2026

Applies to England

1. Action: High needs place change process request outcomes for 2026 to 2027 academic year

We have published the high needs place change request outcomes: 2026 to 2027 that will inform the place numbers we will fund for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

You should review the published outcomes as soon as possible to ensure they reflect those expected. If a provider is not listed, this means we were not notified of a change by your local authority and the published 2025 to 2026 place numbers will be used as the basis for the 2026 to 2027 academic year allocation.

You have until Friday 27 February 2026 to contact us to query the 2026 to 2027 outcomes. We are unlikely to action any changes requested after this date.

The outcomes data and information about the enquiry window can be found in the ‘High needs place change process: 2026 to 2027 academic year’ document on the High needs funding arrangements webpage.

2. Action: The further education teacher full time equivalent (FTE) data collection closes by 5pm Monday 16 February 2026

This collection is for FE colleges and sixth form colleges, including former sixth form colleges who have converted to academies. We have contacted all providers in scope separately.

Thank you to those providers who have already made a return. If you have not yet made a return, please do so by 5pm on Monday 16 February.

Returns are submitted via the Submit Learner Data service. (SLD). Full guidance on how to make the return is detailed on the collection screens on the Submit Data Service.

Providers should return their total full-time equivalent (FTE) figure for teaching staff on permanent or fixed-term contracts employed by them on the third Monday in January. This number will be collected for the 2023 to 2024, 2024 to 2025 and the 2025 to 2026 academic years.

By completing the collection, this will allow DfE to monitor and identify changes in teacher numbers closer to real-time, informing policy development and funding decisions at an earlier stage.

If you have queries about this collection, please contact the Customer Help Portal.

3. Action: Submit bid for Post-16 and construction skills capacity funding 2026 to 2030 by Friday 17 April 2026

We launched a national bidding round on Wednesday 11 February for almost £300 million of post-16 and construction skills capacity capital funding in non-devolved areas. Bids can be submitted for 2026 to 2030 funding on or before 5pm Friday 17 April 2026.

The Post-16 and construction skills capacity funding: 2026 to 2030 guidance  sets out the purpose of the two funds, who is eligible, how to apply, how we will assess applications and how we will award funding. Only eligible providers seeking to increase education and training capacity at sites in non‑devolved areas can apply.

You can only apply through the DfE eTendering Portal and we cannot accept applications submitted through other routes. You will need to register for an account on or before Friday 27 February 2026 to access the form.

For sites in areas where funding has been devolved, providers should engage with the relevant strategic authority.

4. Information: Advanced learner loans (ALL) performance management point for 2026 to 2027

Ahead of the ALL funding and performance rules being published in late Spring 2026 we wanted to share that from funding year 2026 to 2027 we will introduce a single performance management point in January 2027.

At this review, growth and reductions will be calculated using a formula based on provider performance rather than through bidding or business case submissions.

5. Information: New education estates strategy: a decade of national renewal

An email from Minister MacAlister was sent today, Wednesday 11 February, sharing that we  have published our Education estates strategy . This sets out a clear long-term vision for the education estate that supports opportunity for all, from early years to post-16, with an estate that is safe, suitable, sustainable and sufficiently sized.

It is backed by a 10 year plan of national renewal for schools and colleges in England. The strategy is focused around three strategic pillars: manage the estate, improve and renew the estate, and build and rebuild the estate.

At the core is a shift to more proactive management, long-term strategic maintenance and more renewal of the existing estate. This is alongside building and rebuilding where renewal is not possible, and in the local areas where it is needed, and ensuring there are high-quality places from early years to post-16.

6. Information: Ambition to expand inclusion bases

Many schools already provide exceptional support for pupils with complex needs, including through special education needs (SEN) units, resourced provision and pupil support units. However, the range of provision and inconsistent terminology can be difficult for families to navigate. We will be replacing these terms with the single term “inclusion bases”, covering both local authority and school or trust‑led provision.

To help parents and schools understand what support is available and what good practice looks like, best‑practice guidance for inclusion bases will be published later in the year, and we will continue to roll out national peer networks to support high‑quality provision.

We want to build on the many excellent examples of local authorities, schools and trusts creating bespoke provision that combines the best of mainstream and specialist education. In time, our ambition is for every secondary school in England to have an inclusion base.

Where new places are needed, these can be supported through our £3.7bn high‑needs capital investment, which can also fund adaptations to improve inclusivity and accessibility in mainstream settings.

7. Your Feedback: National Education Nature Park, request for feedback

The National Education Nature Park, which is funded by us, are working with Manchester Metropolitan University to gather feedback to inform the future programme.

Educators and staff are invited to complete a short online survey about their Nature Park experience and the support needed to deliver activities.

The survey closes on Monday 2 March 2026.

8. Events and webinars: Accounting officer role: what trust and college leaders need to know

Thursday 5 March at 3pm to 4pm. Register online.