Correspondence

EFA e-bulletin for academies: 24 September 2015

Published 24 September 2015

This correspondence was withdrawn on 13 December 2019

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. The EFA e-bulletin has been replaced by ESFA Update.

1. Action: new academy trusts intending to defer or submit dormant annual accounts

New academy trusts, including free schools, studio schools and UTCs, incorporated on or before 28 February 2015 must prepare their first annual accounts from the date of incorporation up to 31 August 2015. This may also include academy trusts that have not yet opened.

Trusts incorporated on or after 1 March 2015 may defer preparation of their first accounts to 31 August 2016. Trusts should discuss this with their auditors or professional advisors in the first instance.

If you plan to defer, or submit dormant accounts, you must let us know by completing the EFA enquiry form by 30 September 2015. You can find further information on page 6 and in sections 1.4 and 1.5 of the Academies Accounts Direction 2014 to 2015.

2. Information: training videos launched to help academy trusts complete their August accounts return

A series of 5 training videos has been launched to help academy trusts complete their accounts return accurately.

Even if you have submitted the return before, we encourage you to view the videos to learn more about changes to the requirements and how to address the more difficult areas.

Full guidance on completing and submitting the return is also available. Academy trusts that prepared 31 August 2015 accounts are required to submit their accounts return by 31 January 2016.

3. Information: Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2016 to 2017

We have updated the Condition Improvement Fund page on GOV.UK with information outlining the application process for 2016 to 2017 and a timeline of activities.

4. Action: high needs funding arrangements 2016 to 2017

We have published a suite of documents outlining arrangements for high needs funding in 2016 to 2017. This includes the operational guide, which provides a summary of critical dates and deadlines, and what you need to do for 2016 to 2017.

5. Action: national non domestic rates (NNDR) claims

All academies, free schools, studio schools and UTCs can claim funding to pay for their national non-domestic rates (NNDR). If you haven’t claimed for financial year 2015 to 2016, you should complete the online form on GOV.UK.

Our records show that many academies have not claimed yet. The form will be available up to the end of December 2015. We will not process any claims submitted after this date. This does not affect claims following retrospective building revaluation.

6. Information: large programmes data reports for institutions

Institutions who have students on large programmes that will qualify for the large programme uplift in 2016 to 2017 can now download reports (based on 2013 to 2014 academic year attainment) explaining how we are applying their uplift. The reports are available from the document exchange in the EFA Information Exchange - [Other Submissions>AY 2015-16 folder].

If you think the report is inaccurate for at least 5 students, you should submit a business case by 23 October 2015. The report includes information about how to do this. This business case will form part of the 2016 to 2017 academic year allocation process.

If you have difficulty in accessing the Information Exchange, guidance is available on GOV.UK.

7. Information: maths and English condition of funding

In light of in year data showing that 97% of 16 to 19 year olds without GCSE A* to C English and/or maths attending an FE institution continued their study of these subjects, ministers have decided to not apply the maths and English funding condition in full.

For the 2014 to 2015 academic year only, funding reductions (which will apply to the 2016 to 2017 allocations) will only apply to institutions where more than 5% of students (by value) without A* to C GCSE in English and/or maths did not enrol on an approved qualification in these subjects. Funding reductions for these institutions will be applied at half the national funding rate, rather than 100% as originally planned.

Ministers also require all institutions that did not achieve full compliance in the 2014 to 2015 academic year to have plans in place to achieve full compliance in 2015 to 2016. Institutions should develop plans in a format and approach that best meet their needs. Institutions are also asked to complete an online survey confirming they have a plan in place.

Further details on how the funding adjustments will be applied, and instructions on completing the survey are included in the revised maths and English guidance on GOV.UK.