ESFA Update academies: 13 October 2021
Published 13 October 2021
Applies to England
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1. Action: Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) - motor vehicle cover for schools’ consultation
The Department for Education has launched a public consultation on a proposal to introduce motor cover as part of the RPA.
The RPA provides cover for most risks that schools face, but members currently have to obtain motor cover elsewhere at commercial rates, because third party motor insurance is a legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the RPA cover is not insurance.
If the RPA were able to offer motor cover to its member schools, there would be potential to save schools’ money, delivering direct savings on the cost of cover and save schools’ time, as they currently have to provide detailed claims experience to obtain commercial cover.
We welcome the views of stakeholders across the school sector. The consultation closes on 30 November 2021.
2. Action: Sustainability Day for schools hosted by DfE schools commercial team
Join the DfE webinars on 2 November 2021 and find out how we can help you take steps to reduce your schools carbon footprint.
Come along to a variety of procurement sessions from smart meters to water efficiency, heating systems and renewable technology to energy efficiency and ask the experts the questions you may have.
See the wide range of sessions available and register for free.
For the latest on our wide range of webinars, check out the events tab on our Buying for schools LinkedIn page.
3. Information: the academies planning calendar has been updated.
We have updated the academies planning calendar for the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
The calendar provides a summary of key actions and dates about academy funding, finance, and trust compliance with their funding agreement. Funding information has been added relating to recovery premiums and tutoring grants.
4. Information: coronavirus (COVID-19) school-led tutoring allocations
We’ve published the school-led tutoring allocations for maintained schools, academies and local authorities. We will also shortly publish a calculation tool which enables eligible schools and academy trusts to track information relating to their allocation during the academic year.
You can read more about school-led tutoring and the National Tutoring Programme.
5. Information: Condition Data Collection 2 (CDC2) update
From 2021 to 2026 the Department for Education is collecting data about the condition of school and FE college buildings. Surveying teams working on the CDC2 programme will be visiting every government funded school and FE college in England.
The next round of visits has been confirmed for the period from February 2022 to January 2023 (tranches 3 and 4). The list of schools to be visited in these tranches, and the full provisional list of schools to be visited in future tranches, is now available to view and download from the CDC2 section of the GOV.UK website.
Local authorities, dioceses and trusts will be invited by a surveying organisation to a preliminary virtual meeting with schools, which will gather general building information for the programme, prior to the site visit to collect building condition data.
6. Information: get involved in Charity Fraud Awareness Week, 18 to 22 October 2021
Now in its sixth year, Fraud Awareness Week 2021 will emphasise the all-important theme of prevention and will encourage charities, professional organisations and international partners to get involved and take practical steps to keep their charities safe from harm in the post-Covid era. With the sector facing unparalleled financial challenge, there’s never been a better time to boost fraud resilience and help protect your charity’s assets from harm.
During the week you’ll be able to access top tips and detailed advice via a range of campaign resources, from help sheets to webinars – on timely topics such as fighting grant or fundraising fraud to managing cyber attacks; all hosted on a handy new information portal preventcharityfraud.org.uk. It’ll replace the Fraud Awareness Hub that supported Fraud Awareness Week in previous years and will be managed by sector partner, the Fraud Advisory Panel.
New for this year, charities are encouraged to sign up to a Stop Fraud Pledge and make a public commitment to tackling fraud in their charities, via 6 essential steps. A whole host of charities have already taken the pledge – do consider joining them today.
7. Information: opportunity to take part in COVID-19 Exam Support Service research
User Researchers at the ESFA are seeking volunteers to take part in a 30-minute research session for the COVID-19 Exam Support Service. Research sessions will take place the week commencing 18 October 2021.
If you are responsible for organising exams in your organisation (e.g. exam manager) and are interested in taking part, please sign up to a session. A researcher will be in touch with more details.