Correspondence

DfE Update academies: 16 September 2026

Published 16 September 2026

Applies to England

1. Information: Free school meals checks – operational deadline extended for the autumn census

The operational deadline for completing free school meals (FSM) checks for the autumn census has moved from Thursday 1 October to Monday 2 November 2026.

This one-off extension is designed to support successful implementation of the FSM expansion and new checking arrangements.

The extension applies to:

• rechecks for pupils who were receiving FSM support in the previous academic year
• checks for new FSM applications

We are grateful for the work schools and local authorities have undertaken to prepare for these changes.

Some management information systems may have automatically updated the FSM status of pupils who were receiving FSM support in the previous academic year. Schools and local authorities must still complete the required eligibility checks for these pupils following the end of transitional protections.

For funding purposes, FSM eligibility checks must be completed and recorded by Monday 2 November 2026.

Schools and local authorities should refer to the updated free school meals guidance for operational information on eligibility checks and the updated school census guidance for information on recording FSM eligibility.

2. Information: Regional curriculum and financial planning in-person training sessions running throughout September 2026

School business professionals can now book places on the latest ‘Integrated curriculum and financial planning (ICFP)’ and ‘Leading ICFP together’ training sessions.

Funded by DfE and delivered in partnership with the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), these regional events provide practical support to help schools and trusts strengthen curriculum and financial planning.

Each event offers the opportunity to attend an ‘ICFP’ session in the morning from 10am to 12:30pm and a ‘Leading ICFP together’ session in the afternoon from 1:30pm to 4pm. You can attend either session or both. We encourage attendees to book both sessions to get the full benefit of the programme.

Places are available now. See the ‘Events and webinars’ section below, to book your place.

3. Information: The DfE Energy for Schools deadline is approaching – act now

The deadline to register for the DfE Energy for Schools April 2027 basket is Friday 6 November 2026. All documentation and meter details must be submitted by this date.

If you haven’t already registered, now is the time to get your paperwork in order and secure your next energy contract. Register today.

4. Information: Findings arising from DfE’s assurance work now published

We have published the common themes arising from DfE’s assurance work. The outcomes of this work relate to the financial management and governance of the academies sector in 2025 to 2026 and its use of public funds.

The briefing is for academy trust accounting officers, finance staff, and trustees. Auditors of academy trust accounts may also find it helpful.

Highlighting common themes in our work aims to help the sector to improve the quality of financial governance.

5. Information: Payments and allocations for post-16 settings for academic year 2026 to 2027 now published

We have published the payments and allocations for post-16 for academic year 2026 to 2027 GOV.UK page. You can use this page to see what funding your setting should receive and when to expect your allocations and payments for academic year 2026 to 2027. Please use the feedback buttons right at the bottom of the page to say if you find it useful.

Go to our collection pages for more specific funding information, guidance and rules.

6. Information: Submit your data on sheet music usage 

We have renewed our license agreement with Printed Music Licensing Limited (PMLL) that allows teachers to copy and arrange sheet music for both curricular and non-curricular activities.

To help PMLL accurately distribute payments for the use of copyright materials to its members, we encourage schools to submit data on their usage of sheet music via the PMLL portal.

7. Information: 16 to 19 funding conditions in respect of charges to students

The 16 to 19 funding rules set clear expectations on what you can and cannot charge students for. This is set out in paragraph 16 of advice: funding rules for 16 to 19 provision 2026 to 2027.

We would like to particularly remind all institutions that no compulsory enrolment, registration, or examination fees should be charged to students (other than in the exceptional circumstances given), and that there are rules regarding when institutions may choose to charge students. In some cases, such as deposits for lockers, ID cards, keys, or other equipment, these should be fully refundable except in cases of damage or theft.

8. Reminders: Key stage 2 September 2026 checking exercise closes Friday 18 September 2026 

The Check Your Performance Measures Data (CYPMD) key stage 2 September checking exercise will close at 5pm on Friday 18 September 2026.

Schools are asked to confirm we have the correct pupils listed at the end of key stage 2.

For more help and information, visit the CYPMD Help Centre.

9. Reminders: Budget forecast return due by Thursday 24 September 2026 

Thank you to those academy trusts that have already submitted their budget forecast return (BFR).

We’d like to remind those that have not yet submitted their BFR that the deadline is Thursday 24 September 2026.

You can find further information about the academies BFR and details of the support available to help you complete the return.

We recommend you check your access to the BFR service on DfE Sign-in and start using the BFR online form as soon as possible. You will need a member of staff with a BFR approver role to submit your return. If there are any access issues or if new BFR accounts are needed, this will give you more time to arrange for access.

If you need support, contact us through the Customer Help Portal.

10. Events and webinars: Integrated curriculum and financial planning and leading together training sessions

Available from 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4pm throughout September 2026 at the following locations:

• Sheffield and London: Thursday 17 September 2026
• Chelmsford and Durham: Tuesday 22 September 2026
• Exeter: Wednesday 23 September 2026
• Leicester: Thursday 24 September 2026
• Birmingham and Canterbury: Wednesday 30 September 2026

Register through Institute of School Business Leadership to book your place.

11. Events and webinars: Academies chart of accounts technical updates 2026 to 2027 – mapping workshop

Tuesday 22 September 2026, 10:30am to midday. Register on Eventbrite