EFA e-bulletin for academies: 10 December 2015
Published 10 December 2015
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1. Reminder: how to submit academy trusts’ audited accounts
In the 3 December Education Funding Agency (EFA) e-bulletin, we reminded academy trusts, including free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges incorporated on or before 28 February 2015, that the deadline for submitting audited accounts is approaching.
If your accounts are ready, you can submit them now. If you have already submitted your audited accounts and cover sheet, thank you.
To help you to meet the 31 December deadline, please:
- ensure that you have access to EFA Information Exchange - your auditors don’t have access to this system and won’t be able to submit accounts on your behalf
- ensure there is adequate time for a trustees’ meeting at which the accounts can be approved and signed, as set out in section 1.6 of the Academies Accounts Direction
- refer to the published guidance on submitting your accounts and completing the cover sheet
2. Action: insurance top-up funding claims for 2015 to 2016
If you have a long-term insurance policy and need to make a new claim for top-up funding for 2015 to 2016, you can now use the online claims form available via GOV.UK.
Please note that the Department for Education’s risk protection arrangement (RPA) for academy trusts is also available to provide an alternative option in terms of risk cover. On joining RPA, academy payments are adjusted at the rate of £25 per pupil. You can find full details about RPA on GOV.UK.
3. Final reminder: applying for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2016 to 2017
If you are applying for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for 2016 to 2017, you must complete and submit your application by midday on 16 December.
If you are applying for the first time, you must set up your CIF portal account. We recommend you register well in advance or you will risk having to make enquiries that could lead to missing the submission deadline.
If you have an existing CIF portal account you do not need to re-register.
You can read the Condition Improvement Fund guidance for applicants on GOV.UK. This sets out the application process and assessment criteria.
4. Information: changes to traineeships for the 2016 to 2017 academic year
Skills Minister Nick Boles has written to the sector on the removal, from August 2016, of the requirement that providers are graded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in order to deliver traineeships.
This fulfils a commitment to review the criteria once traineeships were fully established and getting excellent results for young people.
In terms of Ofsted grades, traineeships will be treated the same way as other study programmes.
5. Information: Education and Adoption Bill update
Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, has written to the chair of each academy trust giving details of a proposed change to the Education and Adoption Bill.
The government intends to put forward an amendment to the bill to make clear that the coasting definition applies to academies as well as maintained schools, and to ensure that consistent powers to take action are in place in the funding agreement of any academy which is judged inadequate by Ofsted or meets the coasting definition.
This change would only affect academies in these particular circumstances; it will not affect academies and free schools that are performing well and will not impact upon academy freedoms.
You can read the written ministerial statement to Parliament on GOV.UK.
6. Reminder: English Baccalaureate (EBacc) consultation
The Department for Education (DfE) is consulting on implementing the English Baccalaureate (EBacc).
The government’s goal is that over 90% of pupils in mainstream secondary schools will enter the EBacc. We are seeking views on proposals to achieve this.
The consultation was launched on 3 November and runs until 29 January 2016. Please respond to the consultation or email us at English.BACCALAUREATE@education.gsi.gov.uk.