EFA e-bulletin for academies: 10 September 2015
Published 10 September 2015
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1. Information: the risk protection arrangement (RPA) for academy trusts
The risk protection arrangement (RPA) for academy trusts has now been operating for a year. We launched the RPA in September 2014 as an alternative to commercial insurance. Instead of academy trusts buying insurance, government funds cover any losses. The RPA also provides a comprehensive claims handling and risk management service.
For most academies, the RPA will be cheaper than commercial insurance, often significantly cheaper. Joining the RPA results in a £25 per pupil reduction to an academies’ General Annual Grant (GAG). Commercial insurance usually costs more. We are considering whether we can reduce the cost of the RPA to academies from September 2016.
In the first year of operation about 30% of academies have joined the RPA. But that leaves many single academies and multi-academy trusts probably paying more than they need to for insurance.
We advise academy trusts that have not yet joined the RPA to consider whether it would be in their interest to opt in to the RPA.
2. Information: barred check list for new members of academy trusts
The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) has extended the use of Employer Access Online, which is accessed via Secure Access. In addition to checking that a new teacher is not subject to a teaching prohibition order, recruiting schools can use the system to check if applicants to management positions are not barred from taking part in the management of an independent school.
Academy trusts should use the service to check new members of governing bodies who are not in regulated activity. This is because they are not eligible for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) barred check list. The extended service supports new requirements under Section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 that came into effect in January 2015.
It is not necessary to carry out checks on existing members of governing bodies.
The new service does not replace the existing duty academies have to use the DBS service, including checking the DBS barred list.
3. Information: recruitment of further education, sixth-form college (SFC) and charitable and commercial provider advisers (CCP)
The Department for Education and the Department for Business Innovation & Skills are advertising for FE, SFC and CCP advisers to support the intervention process and a series of area based reviews of provision.
The Advisers will work alongside the FE and SFC Commissioners. The deadline for applications is 30 September.
Further information can be found at the FE adviser appointments website.
4. Information: changes to 2016 tests and assessments - new video published
A video outlining key changes to tests and assessments for 2016 has been produced for all schools. It outlines the main changes to the tests that will affect schools and details where to go for further information. The video includes a downloadable PowerPoint presentation which can be used for additional training purposes.
To help schools prepare for the tests, 2016 sample test materials for key stages 1 and 2 are available already, along with test frameworks for each subject and information about the introduction of scaled scores.