DfE Update local authorities: 12 November 2025
Published 12 November 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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1. Information: Helping schools find better banking options and getting the best from your rates
We have been working to help schools explore their banking options. Many schools may not have looked at their banking arrangements for years, potentially missing out on opportunities to earn better returns on their money or access services that could make financial management easier.
The right banking arrangements can help schools:
- earn better interest rates on reserves and balances
- reduce administrative burden through better online services
- access specialist support that understands the education sector
In the latest Buying for Schools blog you can find out more about the resources to help schools explore their options, including a comparison tool to help you evaluate your current arrangements.
2. Your feedback: Join our user research panel to improve services for schools
If you work in finance, estates, information management, or another critical area in your school or trust, we are inviting you to join our user research panel to help improve the services you use every day.
If you would like to sign up we will match you to user research based on your role and will contact you when opportunities come up.
Activities are flexible and optional, including short interviews, offline diary tasks, and testing new tools before they launch. This feedback will help us to understand your day-to-day and design services that work for everyone.
3. Your feedback: Help make buying school management information system software easier
We understand buying management information systems can be difficult for schools.
We are looking to create a simpler purchasing route that reduces costs and legal risks with suppliers. We very much want to hear from you, to help us design requirements that are much easier for schools and trusts to use.
If you would be interested in providing feedback complete our short form to register and share your experiences.
4. Webinar: Risk protection arrangement (DfE’s alternative to commercial insurance) webinar
Tuesday 18 November 2025, at 2pm to 2.30pm. Register online.
5. Webinar: Risk protection arrangement members only – accident investigation (near misses) workshop
Wednesday 19 November 2025, at 10am to midday. Register online.
6. Webinar: Financial Benchmarking Insights Tool webinar
Friday 21 November 2025, at 2pm to 2.30pm. Register online.
7. Webinar: Banking for schools webinar
Thursday 27 November 2025, at 2pm to 2.30pm. Register online.