EFA e-bulletin for academies: 19 March 2015
Published 19 March 2015
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1. Action: March accounts return due 31 May 2015
Education Funding Agency (EFA) has published the March 2015 accounts return.
Academy trusts that did not prepare audited financial statements as at 31 August 2014 or that opened new academies between 1 September 2014 and 31 March 2015 should submit the return by 31 May 2015.
Guidance and a training video on the return are now also available.
We will also hold a webinar at 3pm on 30 April. Anyone can register for the webinar, and we strongly recommend that colleagues in new academies attend. We will automatically register all heads of new academy trusts and write to them directly to confirm. As well as providing an overview of the March accounts return, this will be a question and answer session, and you can submit questions in advance when you register.
2. Information: 2015 to 2016 funding allocations
We have now issued 2015 to 2016 funding allocations to all academies open at 31 January, via the EFA Information Exchange. Allocations for academies which opened in February and March will be issued by the end of March.
Our funding allocation pack guidance documents will help you understand your allocation and our series of training videos explains different elements of academy funding. We have also published an A to Z of academy funding terminology.
If you have a query regarding your allocation, please use the online enquiry form.
3. Information: pupil number adjustment calculator
We have published a pupil number adjustment (PNA) calculator to enable those academies in scope for the PNA exercise to calculate their adjustment for the 2014 to 2015 academic year. This applies to academies funded on the basis of estimated pupil numbers.
4. Information: local authority school funding formulae data 2015 to 2016
We have published data showing local authorities’ formulae for allocating dedicated schools grant (DSG) schools block funding for 2015 to 2016. The formulae determine school budget share funding for maintained schools for the 2015 to 2016 financial year and academies for the 2015 to 2016 academic year.
The data is accompanied by a report providing further information and brief commentary.
5. Information: Condition Improvement Fund outcome
We are finalising our assessment of applications for the Condition Improvement Fund. We expect to announce the outcome shortly.
6. Information: Care to Learn guidance for 2015 to 2016
We have published the Care to Learn guidance for the 2015 to 2016 academic year.
This guide provides information to all those involved in the delivery of the Care to Learn scheme in the 2015 to 2016 academic year. It provides general information about the eligibility criteria for the scheme which has been set by EFA.
7. Information: 16 to 25 young people with high needs - funding principles for 2015 to 2016
We have published our document ‘16 to 25 Young People with High Needs: Funding Principles for 2015 to 2016’ on GOV.UK.
This replaces our previous 16 to 25 high needs additional information document. The new format is part of improving the way we publish our information and changes we are making to our high needs information on GOV.UK.
8. Information: traineeships latest developments
We have published information on traineeships for EFA-funded institutions which covers the changes and funding implications for the programme in the 2015 to 2016 academic year. It also provides further information for institutions to support them in understanding the programme.
The traineeships framework for delivery has been updated along with the first year evaluation (executive summary). The framework document includes changes to make it easier to provide traineeships without sacrificing quality. The evaluation provides early insights on the implementation of the traineeship programme.
Institutions interested in delivering traineeships, can also access a range of resources at the ‘Traineeship Staff Support Programme’ website.
9. Information: Regional Schools Commissioner and Headteacher Boards update
The National Schools Commissioner, Frank Green, has written an open letter to all academy headteachers to update them on the academy system and the new regional structure.
10. Action: spring school census 2015 - data returns incomplete
As we enter the final days of the spring school census 2015, a number of files remain at the ‘loaded and validated’ or ‘amended by source’ status in COLLECT.
You must press the ‘submit’ button in COLLECT to allow the DfE to access your data. You are also asked to check your returns for missing notes and provide the required note, using the notepad entry guide provided.
Pupil premium funding reports are available for schools to run from the reports section of the school census COLLECT blade. Schools should ensure these reports are checked and verified in conjunction with local finance officers before the database closes as amendments will not be possible afterwards.
11. Information: school business management national scholarship fund
The Department for Education has announced round 2 of the school business management (SBM) national scholarship fund to support schools most in need of SBM capability.
The fund will enable successful applicants to secure funding towards accredited SBM programmes and aim to:
- increase the number of trained school business managers
- encourage school business managers to deepen their knowledge, skills and experience
- maintain and build on the professional status of school business management
The deadline for applications is 10 April 2015.
12. Information: leadership, equality and diversity fund
Schools are invited to bid for funding which aims to increase the diversity of their senior leadership teams.
The deadline for applications is 23 April 2015.
13. Information: affordable automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
The Department for Education has extended its arrangements with NHS supply chain for schools to buy automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at a competitive price to all early years settings, including holiday and out-of-school providers.
14. Information: Schedule of Accommodation tools for primary and secondary schools
We’ve updated the Schedule of Accommodation tools, designed to give a schedule of all spaces needed in mainstream school buildings for age ranges from 3 to 19.
The tools calculate the space required for schools and enable the creation of a list of the types and sizes of spaces likely to be needed in any primary or secondary school, based on the recommendations in ‘Area Guidelines: Building Bulletin 103’.