Correspondence

EFA e-bulletin for academies: 6 August 2015

Published 6 August 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This correspondence was withdrawn on 13 December 2019

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. The EFA e-bulletin has been replaced by ESFA Update.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. Information: high needs assurance framework

We have published the high needs assurance framework.

This gives information for local authorities and 16 to 19 education providers on the assurance arrangements for the funding of high needs students.

2. Reminder: submission of budget forecast returns due 31 July

Nearly 90% of academy trusts open as at 31 March 2015 submitted their budget forecast for the 2015 to 2016 academic year by the deadline of 31 July 2015.

If you have not submitted your budget forecast return, this is now overdue. Please access the guidance for completion and complete and submit the online form now.

3. Information: changes to the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for vulnerable students

The process to claim from the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for vulnerable students for the academic year 2015 to 2016 is changing from 3 August 2015.

The new Student Bursary Support Service online portal will be available to education institutions to submit these claims. User accounts will be set-up for education institutions for use from 3 August.

Further information is available on GOV.UK.

4. Information: changing from a single academy trust to a sponsor-led multi-academy trust

Single academy trusts (SAT) applying to become sponsors are no longer required to undertake a separate application to become a multi-academy trust (MAT) through the Department for Education (DfE) significant change process. Instead a single decision for both these changes will now be secured via the sponsor application process.

Please note that the department’s process for making significant changes continues to apply for SAT to MAT changes that are not linked to sponsorship applications.

If you are already in the process of applying to become a sponsor and have further questions about this, please contact the DfE sponsor lead that you are working with. If you are considering becoming a sponsor, then please refer to the department’s information on the sponsor application process.

5. Information: free schools presumption guidance

The Department for Education has updated its guidance about establishing new schools through Section 6A of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (the presumption process) and the policy term used for these schools.

The free school presumption guidance now states that ‘free school’ is the department’s policy term for all new provision academies.

This aims to remove confusion about provision of new schools. There are no changes to the process or funding arrangements.

6. Information: special educational needs and disability (SEND) funding – consultation response

The Department for Education has published a summary of responses following the consultation on special educational needs and disability (SEND) funding.

The evidence includes information reported as a result of research into SEND funding by Isos Partnership.

7. Information: young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) - comparative data scorecard

The NEET scorecard is now available on GOV.UK, and will be published annually.

The scorecard aims to bring together information about young people not in education, employment or training, their participation in education and training and their attainment.

There is an individual scorecard for each local authority in England, other than the City of London and the Isles of Scilly.

The scorecard gives the opportunity to judge your area’s performance in tracking the activity of young people, reducing NEETs and encouraging participation in comparison with other areas and the national averages.

8. Information: public sector exit payment cap consultation

HM Treasury has launched a consultation seeking views on a proposal for a £95,000 cap on exit payments made to an individual in relation to their exit from public sector employment. The consultation closes on 27 August.