Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 11 January 2023

Updated 12 January 2023

Applies to England

1. Information: pupil referral unit and alternative provision academy additional funding allocations for 2023 to 2024

We have published an additional allocations spreadsheet for local authorities to help calculate the 3.4% additional allocation to maintained alternative provision (AP) schools (normally referred to as pupil referral units or PRUs), and AP academies (including AP free schools) for the financial year 2023 to 2024.

This additional allocation must be made in accordance with the dedicated schools grant extra condition of grant, and guidance on implementing that condition in annex 2 to the high needs operational guide for 2023 to 2024.

2. Information: 16 to 19 funding arrangements for 2023 to 2024

We have published details on how 16 to 19 funding will work for academic year 2023 to 2024 and confirmed the timeline for delivering allocations.

We have increased the national funding rate for students aged 16 and 17 and students aged 18 and over with high needs in band 5 to £4,642, and we will continue to fund an extra 40 hours per student. We’ve also confirmed the funding rates for T Levels and other students.

We have updated our guidance on:

• programme cost weightings
• advanced maths premium
• high value courses premium
• teachers’ pay grant and teachers’ pension employer contribution grant

If you have any questions after reading our guidance, please contact us using our online enquiry form.

3. Information: register for free school resource management training webinars

Don’t miss out! School business leaders, SBPs, governors and trustees register now for free school resource management (SRM) training webinars covering a variety of topics including; HR planning and Benchmarking Financial Metrics, with bespoke sessions for primary, secondary, SEN and AP settings.

Register now.

4. Information: school business partner (SBP) roundtable events – book your place now

If you would like to join other SBPs from across your region to network, share your procurement issues and priorities, and find out more about the free procurement support available from the DfE, you can register to attend one of our upcoming roundtable events.

The roundtables take place from 31 January until 30 March across the country and are free to attend. Register now and don’t miss out.

5. Information: join these webinars on approved frameworks and see how you could save money for your school

Are you responsible for buying goods and services for your school? The Schools Commercial Team (SCT) within the Department for Education is leading on the Buying for Schools programme; delivering services to support schools to buy goods and services.

The team are hosting free webinars on how using our approved frameworks could save you time and help your school get value for money. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school – 18 January
• Buying catering services for your school through ESPO – 19 January
• Buying ICT for your school – 24 January
• How Get help buying for schools can support your school buying – 24 January
• Buying tailor-made audit services for academies and schools – 25 January

You can find the full programme of webinars for the spring term on the Spring 2023 webinar page. Visit the page to find out more and book your place.

6. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on 26 January

Schools Commercial Team are offering the opportunity for a free, virtual 1:1 conversation with a member of the team, to see how we can support you.

You can speak to us about anything you like to help you make informed buying choices for your school.

There is no pressure or obligation to take any of our recommendations forward following the conversation. Book your 1:1 conversation now.

7. Information: buying energy and energy efficiency goods and services for your school

In our latest Buying for Schools blog post, Dan Baker, Schools Commercial Team Category Lead, gives an overview of the DfE support available to help schools buy energy and energy efficiency goods and services.

If you’d like to know more once you have read the blog, you can sign up for our Energy and your school – how we can help webinar which takes place on Thursday 19 January, 11am to 11.45am.