EFA e-bulletin for academies: 26 February 2015
Published 26 February 2015
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-e-bulletin-26-february-2015-issue-80/efa-e-bulletin-for-academies-26-february-2015
1. Information: 2015 to 2016 funding allocations
Education Funding Agency (EFA) has begun issuing the 2015 to 2016 final allocations to academies and free schools. Academies will receive an email advising them that their allocation is available for download via the EFA Information Exchange.
Allocations will be added to the document exchange within the revenue funding folder (2015/6). Multi-academy trusts can view their academies’ allocations using their trust log in details, not the academy log in details. If needed, support to access EFA Information Exchange is available.
All open academies and free schools will be sent their allocations before the end of March.
In order to help you understand your allocations we have produced an A to Z of academies funding terms used in pre-16 academy revenue funding allocations to accompany the funding allocation pack (FAP) guidance.
2. Information: new online efficiency toolkit
We have produced the first part of an online efficiency toolkit to support all types of schools in their strategic planning.
The first set of filmed presentations that are available now look at how to use resources and move away from an incremental approach to budgeting year on year. They include:
- an introduction to the efficiency toolkit
- top tips for efficiency in schools
- a discussion with a school business manager about effective procurement
- a demonstration of the department’s financial benchmarking websites for maintained schools and academies
Further modules will be added over the next few weeks.
3. Information: new video on the basics of academy funding
We have produced a video providing a ‘back to basics’ guide to academy funding. It will help those new to academy funding to understand how an allocation is calculated and provides details of the information sources underpinning each allocation.
4. Information: year 7 catch-up premium
2014 to 2015 allocations of year 7 catch-up premium will be paid to academies on 2 March 2015.
As in previous years, we will publish allocation tables for academies (with the figures suppressed for schools where five or fewer pupils are eligible) to coincide with payments being received.
5. Reminder: land and buildings valuation form
New academies must submit the land and buildings valuation form within 6 weeks of opening. Guidance is available on how the EFA prepares land and buildings valuations and how academies may use the valuations
If you are an academy that has opened since 1 April 2014 and it is 6 weeks since you opened and you have not yet completed the form, then please read the guidance and complete the form as soon as possible.
6. Reminder: August accounts return deadline
The deadline for submission of the August accounts return was 31 January 2015.
We are now contacting academies who have not submitted their returns. Please submit any outstanding returns as soon as possible.
7. Information: Residential Bursary Fund - guidance for the 2015 to 2016 academic year
We have published the Residential Bursary Fund guidance for the 2015 to 2016 academic year.
The guide provides information to all institutions receiving 16 to 18 Residential Bursary Fund allocations in the 2015 to 2016 academic year. It sets out the requirements for the administration of the funding and describes how we will collect monitoring information for the scheme.
8. Information: re-appointment of Capita to manage a range of student support schemes
EFA, following a competitive process, has re-appointed Capita to manage a range of schemes designed to help young people and adults improve their education, skills and training. The new contract runs until 2018.
Capita will operate 3 main schemes on behalf of EFA and the Skills Funding Agency, which are:
- Care to Learn, which provides financial support towards childcare and travel costs to young parents who want to continue or return to learning
- the Bursary Fund for vulnerable students, which helps the most financially disadvantaged 16- to 19-year-olds meet the costs of education or training
- professional and career development loans, which provide adults with commercial lending from Barclays Bank or the Co-operative Bank
From May 2015 the administration of the support schemes will transfer from the current Learner Support Service (LSS) to the new Student Bursary Support Service (SBSS).
The changes are being made to migrate from hard-copy applications and claims to an online, digital service to ensure the above schemes are easier to use and are more accessible and responsive for educational institutions, childcare providers and for students.
More details can be found on GOV.UK.
Regular updates will be provided in these e-bulletins to inform and support providers through these changes in lead up to go-live in May.
9. Information: Demographic Growth Capital Fund
The Department for Education recently announced the successful conclusion of the Demographic Growth Capital Fund (DGCF). Information about DGCF is available on GOV.UK.
10. Action: academies to publish admission appeals arrangements by 28 February
Academies must publish their timetables for organising and hearing admission appeals on their websites by 28 February each year. This is in accordance with the requirement set out in section 2 of the School Admission Appeals Code.
Please follow the statutory requirements in both the School Admission Appeals Code and the School Admissions Code when organising admission appeals.
We have published a summary of the main findings from our review of academy independent appeal panels (IAP) complaints in 2014. The summary also includes recommendations to help ensure all future appeals are compliant and reduce the likelihood of complaints being made.
11. Information: independent careers guidance
Academies with funding agreements from September 2012 are required to secure independent careers guidance for their pupils in years 8 to 13.
Secondary academies that opened before September 2012 are encouraged to include the careers element in their funding agreements to fall in line with other secondary schools and colleges. We have produced information and advice about careers guidance which contains good practice information and links to resources.
For enquiries about updating your funding agreement, please contact the EFA Enquiry Service at the email address below, quoting ‘careers guidance’ in the subject of your email.
EFA questions
Contact form https://form.education...
For schools, local authorities, other education institutions and providers, accountants, auditors and other professional advisers with queries for the Education Funding Agency
12. Information: spring school census 2015
The spring school census 2015 collection database will close on Wednesday 11 March 2015. A number of files are currently at the ‘loaded and validated’ or ‘amended by source’ status in COLLECT. The ‘submit’ button must be pressed to allow the department access to the data.
Pupil premium funding reports are available for schools to run from the reports section of the school census COLLECT blade. Schools should ensure these reports are checked and verified in conjunction with local finance officers before the database closes as amendments will not be possible afterwards.
We have produced a short training video providing a general overview of the school census. It details how to access COLLECT, navigate the system, add notes, submit returns and run reports.