Guidance

EFA e-bulletin for academies: 25 September 2014

Published 25 September 2014

This guidance was withdrawn on

This is an old edition of the EFA e-bulletin, so has been archived. Please view our most recent e-bulletins and web pages for up-to-date information.

1. Information: funding for 2015 to 2016 - training videos and webinars

Education Funding Agency (EFA) has released a series of short videos to help you understand how your 2015 to 2016 allocation will be calculated.

It includes information on the key funding aspects to help you understand next year’s allocation, as well as exploring specific aspects including the Education Services Grant, the Minimum Funding Guarantee and the importance of engaging with your local schools forum.

We will be broadcasting 2 live funding webinars, giving you the opportunity to ask a panel of experts any questions you may have about next year’s funding. The first, on 9 October, is aimed at general academy funding. The second, on 14 October, focuses on funding for free schools, UTCs and studio schools. You can register now to take part.

2. Information: Education Services Grant for 2015 to 2016 – supplementary note

EFA has published a supplementary note to help you understand the changes to the Education Services Grant for 2015 to 2016, which includes a worked example of the tapered protection for academies.

3. Information: amending existing payment arrangements

In order to ensure the security of payments EFA makes, the academies enquiry service will no longer accept academies’ requests to amend bank account details.

All such requests should be sent directly to the finance systems helpdesk with immediate effect, with ‘request to amend bank account details’ and your payment reference number (from your remittance advice) in the subject line.

4. Action: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund - 2013 to 2014 management information (MI) return

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund management information return for the completed 2013 to 2014 academic year will be open from 1 October. All institutions that had access to bursary funding in 2013 to 2014 are asked to complete a return by 31 October.

From 1 October, the return form may be accessed either through the EFA Information Exchange or directly via GOV.UK.

Institutions are encouraged to read the brief supporting notes before completing the return, and will require their Unique Provider Identification Number (UPIN) to start the form.

If you have any queries about this message please contact EFA at 1619bursaryfund.efa@education.gsi.gov.uk.

5. Information: EFA Information Exchange calendar now live

EFA has launched the new calendar function on the EFA Information Exchange. It shows EFA’s deadlines, publication dates and events that affect you.

We’ve also launched a brief survey to get your feedback on the calendar and other aspects of the EFA Information Exchange. This will help us plan the next stage of developments.

You can access the EFA Information Exchange through the Department for Education’s Secure Access portal. Advice on how to do this is available on GOV.UK.

6. Information: Lord Nash letter to all chairs of governors

Lord Nash has written a letter to all chairs of governors to set out his priorities and draw attention to the updated governor’s handbook 2014, opportunities for further training and useful resources to help them with their work.

7. Information: consultation on EU Procurement Directives

The Cabinet Office has launched a consultation on implementing the 2014 EU Procurement Directives to make public procurement faster and less costly, leading to better value outcomes for government, industry, and the wider public.

The closing date is 17 October 2014.