EFA e-bulletin for academies: 12 November 2015
Published 12 November 2015
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1. Action: submitting your academy trust’s audited accounts
All academy trusts including free schools, studio schools and University Technical Colleges (UTCs) incorporated on or before 28 February 2015 must submit audited accounts (annual report, financial statements and auditor’s management letter) for the period ending 31 August 2015 to EFA by 31 December 2015. The process for doing so is the same as last year.
We have published a guide to help you submit your trust’s accounts. You should read this guide before completing an online cover sheet and submitting your accounts and auditor’s management letter using the document exchange within EFA’s Information Exchange.
This is a separate return from your August accounts return, which is due by 31 January 2016.
2. Action: register for August accounts return live webinar
Registration is open for the 2 December webinar on the accounts return. This will be a live question and answer session and there will be a discussion about the most challenging aspects of the accounts return. You can submit questions in advance when you register.
A series of training videos is available on how to complete your annual accounts returns for the 2014 to 2015 academic year. The return is due by 31 January 2016.
3. Information: 2016 to 2017 academic year post-16 allocations timeline
EFA has updated information on our post-16 allocations timeline and expected data sources for 2016 to 2017 allocations on GOV.UK. There are still some elements subject to change after the spending review but we wanted to update institutions with the latest information available.
The annual post-16 funding letter will be issued after the spending review.
4. Reminder: update your contact information
Please remember that you should inform EFA of any changes to your contact details using ‘My Contact Information’ in the EFA Information Exchange.
This is a requirement for certain roles in academy trusts as defined in Academies Financial Handbook and important for all institutions. Information about My Contact Information is on GOV.UK.
5. Action: reducing teachers’ workload
The Secretary of State for Education has set up 3 review groups in response to the Workload Challenge survey.
The groups are looking at marking, planning and data management. They will set out principles and make recommendations about reducing teachers’ workload in these areas.
They would like to hear about effective marking, planning and data management practice in schools which maximises the impact of time spent dealing with these areas but which minimises the effects on teacher workload.
If you can help, please send a brief outline of your work to the Teacher Workload Team by Friday 11 December. They will then call you to discuss your work in greater depth.