DfE Update local authorities: 7 January 2026
Published 7 January 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-7-january-2026/dfe-update-local-authorities-7-january-2026
1. Action: 2025 to 2026 advanced learner loans performance management point 2
The first time request form for obtaining an advanced learner loans contract is now available on GOV.UK.
Send your completed form to us through the Customer Help Portal by 5pm Monday 19 January 2026. You can also use the portal to contact us with any queries.
For details on the performance review of loans, read the advanced learner loans funding rules: 2025 to 2026.
2. Action: Care to Learn and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for defined vulnerable groups funding claims
From academic year 2025 to 2026, we’ve changed how you access funding for the Care to Learn scheme and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, defined vulnerable groups element. We have explained this in the funding rules for each scheme.
The second window for you to submit new funding claim forms to us is now open.
You can use this window to submit any new funding claim that you did not submit in the first claim window. You are not permitted to adjust any claims you have already submitted.
Adjustments can only be made in the third window later in the year. The only exception is if we contacted you about the claim you submitted in the first window and agreed that you can resubmit it in the second window.
The deadline for your submission is 5pm Wednesday 11 February 2026.
We have published guidance to help you complete your submission which includes the link to the form.
3. Information: Maximising value for pupils programme
The maximising value for pupils programme brings together guidance and tools to support you to get best value from every pound.
You’ll find practical resources including:
- updated financial benchmarking tools
- a banking comparison tool to maximise interest on reserves
- free procurement training
- school resource management adviser support
View the guidance to explore the support available and identify opportunities to reinvest savings back into improving outcomes for pupils.
4. Information: Publication of the early years termly funding allocation tool
From the 2026 to 2027 financial year, we will move to a termly census for all early years entitlements to improve funding accuracy.
To help local authorities plan, we have published an early years funding allocation calculation tool. It can be used to support budget setting by entering local forecasts of the part time equivalents (PTEs) you expect to be funded each term.
The tool also shows the impact of in-year adjustments to dedicated schools grant allocations after each census update.
If you have any questions, contact us through the Customer Help Portal.
5. Information: Local authority proforma tool (APT) webinar December 2025 now uploaded to the DfE YouTube channel
We have published the local authority proforma tool (APT) 2026 to 2027 webinar presentation which took place 18 December 2025. You can view the webinar in the DfE YouTube channel playlist.
This session highlighted the DfE process for checking APTs and some of the reasons why local authorities occasionally need to resubmit their APTs. We hope you find it useful and informative.
You can also view the slides presented at this webinar in the local authority workshops 2026 to 2027 Google drive folder.
If you have any enquiries regarding the APT, you can contact us through: APTSubmissions.questions@education.gov.uk.
6. Information: National Apprenticeship Week 2026
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 takes place from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 February 2026.
This week-long celebration brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
Visit the National Apprenticeship Week 2026 website for ideas, help and support to plan #NAW2026 activities or view the online calendar of events.
7. Your feedback: Share your feedback on adult funding communications
We are bringing together adult allocation statements, payment schedules and remittance advice into one place.
We invite anyone who works with these documents to feedback on the design in development.
Online feedback sessions will take place from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 January 2026 on Microsoft Teams and each session will last up to 60 minutes.
We will confirm your date and time after we receive your interest.
Register now to take part.
8. Events and webinars: Risk protection arrangement members only: Contract works workshop
Thursday 15 January 2026, at 10am to midday. Register online
9. Events and webinars: Spring term webinars and power hours for school business professionals
You can now book free places on our webinars and senior leadership and operations power hours.
The schedule of free online events is designed to support business and finance managers and leaders across all aspects of resource management in your school or trust.
This term we’ll be covering a wide variety of topics including buying Energy for Schools, VAT(HMRC), Banking, Plan Tech and Digital, and more. View the full schedule and register online today