Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 16 March 2022

Published 16 March 2022

This correspondence was withdrawn on

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date. Read the latest editions of ESFA Update for the latest news and information.

Applies to England

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

DfE is hosting webinars on how using our approved frameworks could help your school get value for money

If you are responsible for buying goods and services for your schools, check out the range of informative webinars that could help you save time and money.

All sessions are free, use these Eventbrite links to join the Schools Commercial Team and take the opportunity to ask providers any questions you may have on the following topics:

For the latest on our wide range of webinars, check out the events tab on our Buying for schools LinkedIn page.

2. Information: T Levels – register now to deliver T Levels or Transition Programme in 2024 to 2025 academic year

We have now opened a registration portal to allow providers not currently delivering T Levels to register their intention to do so from the 2024 to 2025 academic year. All providers funded to deliver 16 to 19 study programmes will be able to register their intention to deliver any of the 23 T Levels now available.

We encourage providers to register by midnight on the 29 July 2022 to access the full range of support that is available for implementation planning and to be eligible to apply for T Level capital funding to support delivery from 2024. Providers can register after this, up to midnight on the 31 July 2023, but will not be able to access the same support and capital funding opportunities.

Providers will require a DfE sign-in account to register and only providers not signed-up to deliver T Levels already should apply. 

The registration portal and supporting guidance are available on GOV.UK now.

3. Information: school workload reduction toolkit updated

DfE has updated the school workload reduction toolkit.

New features include:

  • example policies including on wellbeing
  • example protocols - including one for running online parents’ evening
  • tools such a checklist to limit the marking load

These new resources complement the existing materials which include a downloadable workload survey to use as a starting point.

There are also workshop materials for use as a whole staff team or subject/phase groups to help identify areas creating the most workload.

Updated wellbeing resources can be read in conjunction with the education staff wellbeing charter, which has a link so you can sign up.

You can also read articles by education professionals showing how they are reducing workload in their own settings on the Teaching Blog.