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DfE Update further education: 7 October 2026

Published 7 October 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-october-2026/dfe-update-further-education-7-october-2026

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:

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. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 Thursday 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Information: Further education estate management standards publication

In July we published the further education (FE) estate management standards for FE colleges, which were developed in partnership with colleges alongside other organisations and representative bodies.

To support FE colleges in managing their estate effectively, the standards provide clear, practical guidance for FE colleges, land-based colleges and designated institutions by bringing together key legal requirements with good practice guidance, to help colleges self-assess and consider areas for development.

As you consider your estates strategies at the start of a new academic year, we encourage you to refer to these standards and share them with anyone who has responsibility for overseeing or managing your estate in the year ahead. 

Email enquiries.FECAPITAL@education.gov.uk with any feedback or questions in relation to these standards.

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