Correspondence

DfE Update further education: 18 March 2026

Published 18 March 2026

Applies to England

1. Information: 16 to 19 funding allocations for 2026 to 2027

We have uploaded all allocation calculation toolkit files to Document exchange.  We have started to upload 16 to 19 funding allocation statements and aim to release the majority by the end of March 2026.

You will receive a notification when your statement is available in the ‘documents you’ve received from DfE’ section. Your statement includes a detailed breakdown of our calculations and you can read our allocation statement guides to help you understand it.

If you have made a significant data error in your 16 to 19 school census or your individual learning record (ILR) data that affects your 2026 to 2027 allocation, you must submit a business case within 20 working days of receiving your statement.

The working day count pauses during non-term time. We will only accept business cases that affect academic year 2026 to 2027. Submit your case on or before the deadline because we will not accept late business cases.

If you have any questions, please contact us through our customer help centre.

2. Information: 16 to 19 funding rates and formula guidance 2026 to 2027

We have published the 16 to 19 funding: rates and formula guidance for academic year 2026 to 2027.

We have updated the funding rates and made some minor updates and additions. You can view the details of all changes in the ‘What’s new?’ section of the guidance.

3. Information: Applications for cohort 7 of the further education Teacher Mentoring Programme are open

Applications are now open for Cohort 7 of the Teacher Mentoring Programme (TMP) in the further education (FE) sector. Managed by Cognition Learning Group, this initiative aims to enhance mentoring within your organisation, particularly the support provided to early career teachers (ECTs).

We are fully funding this cohort and eligible further education providers can apply for an optional grant of up to £3,300 per participating mentor, for up to 10 mentors, totalling a maximum of £33,000. This grant is intended to cover mentors’ remission time to complete 27.5 hours of guided learning and at least 18 hours of mentoring practice with their ECT mentees.

Cohort 7 will run from Monday 27 April to Friday 26 June 2026. To express interest or apply, please visit the TMP website.

For further questions about the programme or mentoring offer, email the TMP team at tmpenquiries@cognitioneducation.com.

4. Information: Construction technical excellence colleges

The government has established 10 construction technical excellence colleges (CTECs) across England to strengthen construction training and raise standards.

Each region now has a CTEC, with an additional cross regional CTEC supporting delivery nationwide. CTECs are working with employers, strategic authorities and through local skills improvement plans to meet the five programme objectives listed in the selection criteria and application form guidance.

A core aim of the CTEC programme is collaboration with local providers delivering construction training. This hub and spoke approach will help share expertise and improve the quality of provision.

To learn more, please get in touch with your regional CTEC to understand how the programme operates in your area, how it can support you and how you can contribute to its success.

For further information about the CTEC programme email  TEC.enquiries@education.gov.uk.

5. Feedback: Adult funding communications research – Monday 23 March to Thursday 2 April 2026

We are improving the view of adult funding information including:

• allocation statements
• payment schedules
• payment history
• GOV.UK guidance
• calculation information

We welcome your feedback on the design currently in development and encourage participation from all roles that work with these documents.

Online Microsoft Teams feedback sessions will run from Monday 23 March to Thursday 2 April 2026 and will last up to 60 minutes.

We will contact you to confirm your session date and time once we receive your expression of interest. Please register your interest to take part.