Correspondence

EFA e-bulletin for academies: 2 March 2017

Published 2 March 2017

This correspondence was withdrawn on 23 December 2019

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. The EFA e-bulletin has been replaced by ESFA Update.

1. Information: academies accounts return

The deadline for submitting the accounts return for the year ending August 2016 was 28 February 2017.

All academy trusts should by now have completed and submitted their auditor-approved return.

If you have not yet submitted your accounts return, please do so without further delay.

If you are having any difficulties submitting your accounts return, please contact us using the enquiry form.

2. Information: year 7 catch-up premium grant for 2016 to 2017

EFA has published funding allocations and conditions of grant for the year 7 catch-up premium for the 2016 to 2017 financial year. Academies received payment of the premium on 1 March 2017.

In 2016 to 2017 schools will receive the same amount of total year 7 catch-up premium funding they received in 2015 to 2016, adjusted to reflect the percentage change in the size of their year 7 cohort. We intend this to provide schools with certainty over their budgets in a year where there have been changes to the expected standard at key stage 2.

More information on how we have calculated your allocation is available in the published conditions of grant on GOV.UK.

3. Information: student support guides for 2017 to 2018

We’ve published updated versions of the student support guides for 2017 to 2018 academic year. The guides explain the eligibility, purpose and operation of the following schemes:

• the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

• free meals in further education

• Care to Learn

• Residential Bursary Fund

• Residential Support Scheme

4. Information: managing asbestos in schools - updated guidance

We’ve published updated guidance on the management of asbestos in schools. The update includes new supplementary guidance on where asbestos may be located in schools.

The guidance provides information for schools, trusts and local authorities to enable them to understand and carry out their legal responsibilities under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It offers practical advice to ensure that asbestos is managed properly in schools. This replaces guidance published in 2015.

5. Information: risk protection arrangement (RPA) - risk management

All academies, free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges (UTCs) can opt into the risk protection arrangement (RPA) as an alternative to commercial insurance.

Willis Towers Watson provides risk management advice, training and best practice guidance to RPA members free of charge. You can view the latest filmed RPA risk management workshops covering:

• business continuity
• risk assessment
• contractor management

6. Information: enter your students and apprentices into WorldSkills UK Competitions

From 1 March, organisations can register their apprentices and students, with WorldSkills UK to take part in the UK’s premier skills competitions. The competitions are aimed at those who are on technical skills programmes.

Every year, thousands of young people take part, pitting their skills against their peers in a series of competitions, with the aim of being a gold medallist. The competitions aim to accelerate a young person’s career by providing a mechanism to develop the high-level employability and technical skills that employers need.

Many organisations use skills competitions to attract and retain students, drive curriculum innovation, improve achievement rates, and support the professional development of their staff. Funding is available to support competition activity within apprenticeships and study programmes.

Organisations can work with WorldSkills UK who can support their students and apprentices to become among the best in the world.

Visit the WorldSkills UK website to find out more information and register your students and apprentices.