EFA e-bulletin for schools, colleges, local authorities and other 16 to 19 providers: 2 March 2017
Published 2 March 2017
© Crown copyright 2017
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-e-bulletin-2-march-2017-issue-164/efa-e-bulletin-for-schools-colleges-local-authorities-and-other-16-to-19-providers-2-march-2017
1. Information: 16 to 19 local authorities grant return for 2016 to 2017 for SFA funding
We’ll be emailing all local authority (LA) chief executives during the week commencing 6 March 2017. The email will set out the process that LAs need to follow to submit their 16 to 19 stage 1 grant return for 2016 to 2017 in relation to the funding received from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). We’ll copy the email to chief financial officers (CFO) and LA grant return nominated contacts.
Local authorities must submit their stage 1 grant return by 30 April 2017. This means uploading a CFO signed grant return to Document Exchange.
You can access Document Exchange by logging into EFA Information Exchange, and choosing the Document Exchange tab at the top of the page. We have published detailed guidance on GOV.UK which explains how to upload to Document Exchange and which folder to use.
Local authorities are no longer required to submit an EFA LA grant return for the annual stage 1 return in April.
2. 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:
3. 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. Local authorities received payment of the premium on 28 February 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.
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: 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.