Correspondence

EFA e-bulletin for schools, colleges, local authorities and other 16 to 19 providers: 19 March 2015

Published 19 March 2015

This correspondence was withdrawn on

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. The EFA e-bulletin has been replaced by ESFA Update.

© Crown copyright 2015

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-e-bulletin-19-march-2015-issue-83/efa-e-bulletin-for-schools-colleges-local-authorities-and-other-16-to-19-providers-19-march-2015

1. Information: local authority school funding formulae data 2015 to 2016

Education Funding Agency (EFA) has 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Information: 16 to 19 market entry for 2015 to 2016

There are a number of ways to get EFA funding for the provision of education and training for students aged 16 to 19 (and up to 24 for those with a learning disability or learning difficulty).

EFA has made minor amendments to the arrangements relating to subcontracted provision for 2015 to 2016. A number of market entry routes that were available in 2014 to 2015 will discontinue as programmes complete and responsibilities transfer. These are:

  • European Social Fund: the current programme completes in 2015 to 2016
  • Learning for Young Offenders: responsibility for this programme transferred to the Ministry of Justice with effect from March 2015
  • employer ownership of skills pilot: bids in respect of the current round are now finalised, and the new programme will be in respect of adult (19+) provision only

5. 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.

6. Information: Condition Improvement Fund outcome

We are finalising our assessment of applications for the Condition Improvement Fund. We expect to announce the outcome shortly.

7. Action: local authorities’ grant return due 30 April

Local authorities are required to submit a grant return and use of funds statement for the financial year 2014 to 2015 to EFA by 30 April 2015. We have published a guide explaining these returns, and the templates are at annexes 1 and 2 of the guide.

Please submit separate, signed PDF copies of both annexes to externalassurance.EFA@education.gov.uk.

Local authorities will need to submit a further return by 31 October 2015 and we will publish guidance on this by September.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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’.

12. Contacts

All 16 to 19 providers can get in touch with EFA through the relevant territorial inbox, unless a different email address is specified in an article.

16 to 19 providers - northern territory

For local authorities, schools, colleges and other (non-academy) providers in north west, north east and Yorkshire and the Humber with queries for the Education Funding Agency

16 to 19 providers - central and south west territory

For local authorities, schools, colleges and other (non-academy) providers in south west, west midlands and east midlands with queries for the Education Funding Agency

16 to 19 providers - southern territory

For local authorities, schools, colleges and other (non-academy) providers in south east, east of England and London with queries for the Education Funding Agency

Academies should contact the Academy Enquiries Service:

EFA questions

For schools, local authorities, other education institutions and providers, accountants, auditors and other professional advisers with queries for the Education Funding Agency

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