EFA e-bulletin for academies: 18 September 2014
Published 18 September 2014
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1. Action: August accounts return video and webinar
Registration is open for the 2 December webinar on the August accounts return. This will be a question and answer session, and you can submit questions in advance when you register.
EFA will publish a narrated training video on the accounts return later in September. The return is due by 31 January 2015.
2. Information: validation of budget forecast returns
EFA’s delivery partner, Deloitte, is applying a series of validation tests to academy trusts’ budget forecast returns.
Deloitte may need to contact trusts on EFA’s behalf to resolve any queries or ask for more detail on aspects of their returns.
3. Information: land and buildings valuations issued
All new academies that opened between 1 April 2013 and 28 Feb 2014, should have received their land and building valuation this week. This valuation is for information only, and academies don’t need to do anything with it.
EFA has published information on how it prepares land and buildings valuations and how they may be used.
New academies should complete and submit the land and buildings valuation form to the EFA within 6 weeks of opening.
4. Information: 2015 to 2016 high needs place number exceptional case process
Following the launch of the 2015 to 2016 high needs exceptional cases process on 26 August, EFA has produced a slide pack with audio as an additional resource to the existing suite of materials on GOV.UK.
5. Information: EFA Information Exchange calendar going live
EFA is launching a new element to the EFA Information Exchange, which is accessed through the DfE Secure Access portal.
The calendar will give you details of publication dates, events and deadlines you need to know when dealing with us
You will be able to filter information by our different types of provider and academy.
The calendar will go live overnight on 18 and 19 September. As a result, the DfE Secure Access will be temporarily unavailable at this time.
If you are having problems logging on to the EFA Information Exchange, please check GOV.UK for details on how to get help.
6. Information: School admission code consultation
The Department for Education has launched a consultation on changes to the School Admissions Code to improve fair allocation of school places and to support social mobility.
Proposed changes will allow schools to give priority in their admission arrangements to children eligible for pupil premium or service premium funding. Primary schools also will be able to prioritise children eligible for the early years pupil premium who attend a nursery at that school. There are also proposed changes to the admissions timetable.
The consultation closes on 29 September.
7. Information: Syrian charitable donations
Schools and colleges raising funds for Syrian humanitarian relief are advised to ensure that all charitable donations go to genuine charities and be aware of the information and advice about travelling to Syria.