Correspondence

DfE Update academies: 22 October 2025

Published 22 October 2025

Applies to England

1. Action: R03 submission: estimated student numbers

For academic year 2025 to 2026, we are requesting you submit your estimated 16 to 19 student numbers in November 2025 R03. We previously also requested this estimate at R02.

We will confirm the 16 to 19 student numbers in-year, when we receive the R04 data in December 2025.

We want to understand 16 to 19 participation earlier in the academic year in order to:

• help us track progress on the government’s Opportunity Mission
• monitor the likely financial position for the academic year, and
• inform better policy decision making as necessary

We will not use this collection to make any decisions about your funding.

You can use our submit learner data portal to submit your estimate, alongside detailed guidance, as part of your R03 submission.

If you have any issues in submitting your estimate, or need any further information, contact us via the customer help portal.

2. Action: Apprenticeships care leavers’ bursary

In advance of National Care Leavers Month in November, we’d like to remind training providers of the requirement to inform your apprentices about the care leavers’ bursary, and to record this as part of initial assessment evidence.

You should also give current apprentices the chance to declare eligibility if they were not asked earlier, as late claims can be submitted. 

We would like to highlight the importance for training providers to log this information, as local authority data suggests many eligible apprentices are not receiving the bursary. Without the financial support they are entitled to, apprentices are more likely to withdraw from their apprenticeship.

Updates to the funding rules and bursary guidance clarify: 

• how to submit late claims  
• that the bursary is tax-free and does not count as income for Universal Credit calculations  
• when we make the third payment for shorter and foundation apprenticeships  
• that local authority confirmation of care leaver status does not require a specific format

3. Information: Update to academy trust handbook about special severance pay

We have updated the academy trust handbook to reflect guidance issued by HM Treasury on Monday 28 July 2025.

This sets out that the threshold for prior Department for Education (DfE) approval of exit packages, dependent on earnings, has been increased to apply to employees earning over £174,000 (previously £150,000).

We have also updated guidance on the use of confidentiality clauses. The changes relate to paragraphs 5.12 and 5.13 of the handbook.

Other thresholds remain unchanged.

4. Information: Updated list of T Level qualifications, learning aim references and end dates

We have updated the T Level and transition programme cost weightings and funding bands 2025 to 2026 workbook.

The workbook reflects the updates to funding and occupational specialisms announced in September 2025.

This includes the learning aim reference for the new project delivery for construction and the built environment occupational specialism which was ready for delivery from September 2025.

5. Information: PE and sport premium allocations and conditions of grant for 2025 to 2026 academic year

We have published the 2025 to 2026 allocations for PE and sport premium. These are available at view latest funding service. 

You can also view the corresponding conditions of grant which we published earlier this month.

6. Information: Land and buildings collection tool 2025

We have updated the academies land and buildings collection tool guidance and workbook for 2025.

The land and buildings collection tool will go live Tuesday 11 November 2025. You will be able to access the tool via DfE Sign in. If you are a new user, you will need to register for a DSI account.

7. Information: Foundation apprenticeships – additional funding and exemptions to age limits

We introduced foundation apprenticeships in August in four sectors: Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing, Digital, and Health and Social Care.

These are available for young people aged 16 to 21 and for those aged 22 to 24 if they have an education, health and care (EHC) plan, are a care leaver or a prisoner / prison leaver.

Employers can receive up to £2,000 for each foundation apprentice they recruit and support to progress.

Employers and training providers are also eligible for the existing £1,000 payments towards the additional cost associated with training for those aged 16 to 18, and 19 to 24 who have an EHC plan or have been in care.

You can find more information in our funding rules.

You can also read more about the content of each foundation apprenticeship on the Skills England website.

8. Information: Level 7 (postgraduate level) apprenticeships – additional funding and exemptions to age limits

From Thursday 1 January 2026, level 7 apprenticeships will continue to be government-funded:

• for young people aged 16 to 21
• for care leavers or those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan aged 22 to 24

We will continue to fund any apprentice who started a level 7 apprenticeship before Friday 1 January 2026, through to completion.

Age eligibility is dependent on the age of the apprentice at the start of the apprenticeship.

You can find more information at changes to funding for level 7 apprenticeships.

9. Reminder: Submit your autumn school census for 2025

The deadline to submit your autumn school census for 2025 is on or before Wednesday 29 October 2025. 

To submit your census return use DfE Sign-In.

We strongly encourage schools to complete their return well ahead of the deadline to allow time for any necessary checks or corrections.

Submitting early helps ensure data quality and reduces the risk of delays.

For guidance and support visit COLLECT guides for schools and local authorities.

10. Reminder: Submit your final Individualised Learning Record return

The deadline to submit your final Individualised Learning Record (ILR) return (R14) is on or before 6pm Thursday 23 October 2025.

We strongly encourage providers to submit their data as early as possible.

Early submission allows us time for validation and make any necessary corrections, helping to ensure data quality and support timely funding reconciliation.

To complete your return, log in via submit learner data.

11. Your feedback: Opportunity to take part in an early career teachers funding survey

We are currently reviewing teacher continuous professional development and would like to invite individuals responsible for managing school finances to participate in a survey.    

We are keen to learn more about your views on the funding we provide to support early career teachers (ECTs) and their mentors.

This will be conducted as part of our work to better understand the impact of DfE policies on the experiences of ECTs and their schools. 

The survey will be open for 2 weeks and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.

If you would like to participate, please complete the survey.

If you have any questions, contact hebe.kurzeja@education.gov.uk

12. Webinar: Automating your accounts return

Wednesday 5 November 2025, at 2pm to 3pm. Register on Eventbrite.

13. Webinar: Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool overview

Friday 7 November 2025 at 11am to 11.30am. Register online.

14. Webinar: Risk protection arrangement members only - mock trial

Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 9am to midday.  Register online.