Correspondence

DfE Update academies - 7 October 2026

Published 7 October 2026

Applies to England

1. Action: Check your T Level data before the R04 and autumn school census deadlines - errors cannot be corrected in-year

Use the available guidance and reports to identify and correct errors, including:

• the record your T Level data correctly in academic year 2026 to 2027 page which includes a checklist
• the 16 to 19 funding reports in Funding Information Service (FIS), Submit Learner Data (SLD) and COLLECT to check:
  • your T Level students are recorded on the correct T Level programme
  • all the required components are recorded
  • planned hours are accurately recorded and place students in the correct funding bands
• the new supporting YouTube video: 16 to 19 T Level data – how to check for errors

Submit your return on or before:

• Wednesday 28 October 2026 for autumn school census
• Friday 4 December 2026 for the ILR R04 return

Submit early wherever possible. This gives you time to review your data, investigate issues, and make corrections before the deadline.

2. Action: Applications open for DfE funded bursaries

Applications open now for DfE funded bursaries to study the CIPFA Level 7 Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.

The bursary covers 75% of the course cost and supports school business professionals to develop skills in strategic planning, governance, procurement, financial management and operational leadership.

Apply by filling in the Bursary Application Form. Applications must be submitted before 11:45pm on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

For further information, email SBP.policy@education.gov.uk

3. Information: Updated free school meals guidance for children in families with no recourse to public funds

We have published updated guidance on free school meals (FSM) for children in families with no recourse to public funds .

The guidance includes updated income thresholds for assessing eligibility, including new thresholds to reflect the wider rollout of expanded FSM from the 2026 to 2027 school year. Schools should use the updated guidance when checking eligibility for pupils.

We have also published a summary of recent changes to FSM policy and a sample application alongside the guidance, which you may find helpful.

4. Information: Latest budget forecast return  data now available in Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool

The 2026 budget forecast return (BFR) for academy trusts is now available in the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool (FBIT).

Used by 98% of schools in the last year, FBIT helps academies and trusts explore financial data, benchmark spending and identify opportunities for improvement.

To view your trust’s BFR information, sign in with your DfE Sign-in account. Most of FBIT is available without signing in. However, BFR information is only available to signed-in users.

5. Information: 2027 to 2028 high needs place change process

The high needs place change notification process for 2027 to 2028 is now open until Friday 6 November. 

Schools and colleges should contact their local authorities about their high needs places for the 2027 to 2028 academic year. If no change is requested, in most cases, your 2026 to 2027 academic year place numbers will be used to determine your funding allocation.

We have published the high needs place change notification process where you can find further information.

We have also published the spring 2026 census data for high needs pupil numbers in special academies and free schools, and the place numbers for 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027. You can use this to inform your discussions about commissioning arrangements for the 2027 to 2028 academic year.

6. Information: Apprenticeships.GOV.UK refresh

Apprenticeships.gov.uk has been refreshed with improved support for employers and learners.

The updated site includes guidance on the apprenticeship journey, funding information and tailored email advice for employers.

You should familiarise yourself with the refreshed site so you can direct employers and learners to it with confidence.

7. Information: Apprenticeship hiring payment for non-levy employers

The apprenticeship hiring payment for non-levy employers  is now available. Eligible non-levy employers may receive £2,000 when recruiting an apprentice aged 16 to 24 as a new employee.

The payment applies to eligible apprentices who start their apprenticeship on or after 1 October 2026 and who began employment with their employer within the previous 90 days.

You should help raise awareness of this support with employers you work with.

8. Information: Resources for promoting apprenticeships and skills

The resources for promoting apprenticeships and skills page brings together a range of downloadable materials to support your employer engagement activity.

The page covers foundation apprenticeships, apprenticeship units and the Growth and Skills Levy, including information on employer funding and incentives.

You should use these resources to support conversations with employers.

9. Information: Mayoral Strategic Authority Apprenticeship Brokerage Pilots

The government is expanding the Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) Apprenticeship Brokerage Pilots to all 14 areas with directly elected mayors.

An additional £100 million will be invested to help more young people access local apprenticeship opportunities and support employers to recruit apprentices.

MSA apprenticeship brokerage services will provide locally tailored support to help employers create apprenticeship opportunities and navigate the apprenticeship system, and to connect young people aged 16 to 24 with apprenticeship vacancies, particularly those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET.

The first wave of MSAs are expected to begin delivery in early 2027. These areas will be:

• Greater London Authority
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority
• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
• Tees Valley Combined Authority
• West Midlands Combined Authority
• West of England Mayoral Combined Authority

Further areas are expected to join from spring 2027. More information will be announced in the budget.

10. Feedback: Help shape the digital national curriculum

We are looking for educators involved in curriculum planning in schools and trusts to take part in research for a new digital national curriculum.

We want to understand how a digital national curriculum could make it easier for teachers and education professionals to find and use curriculum content. Over the next year, we will be designing, building and testing the new service.

Your feedback will help us understand what works well, identify barriers and make sure the digital national curriculum meets the needs of schools, trusts and curriculum teams.

If you are interested in taking part in research activities, please register by completing our 3-minute survey by Friday 16 October 2026.

11. Events and webinars: Get Help Buying for Schools Power Hour

Monday 12 October 2026, 2pm to 3pm. Register via Eventbrite  

12. Events and webinars: Food and Catering buying solutions Power hour

Tuesday 13 October 2026, 2pm to 3pm. Register via Eventbrite  

13. Events and webinars: Q&A drop-in sessions: Academies Chart of Accounts and Automation

Wednesday 14 October 2026, 2pm to 2:30pm. Register on Eventbrite.

14. Events and webinars: Risk protection arrangement members only: Accidents & Incidents Workshops

Thursday 22 October 2026, 10am to midday. Register via Teams

15. Events and webinars: School business professionals (SBP) – Book your Regional In-Person Training

See last week’s DfE Update for more details on these events running from 13 October – 11 November 2026, topics include:

• Human Resource Management and Flexible Working
• Leadership and Leading Change
• Leading ICFP Together (Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning)
• Strategic Planning & Operational Leadership
• Procurement

Book through the ISBL booking page.