Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 17 May 2023

Published 17 May 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-17-may-2023/esfa-update-academies-17-may-2023

1. Action: 16 to 19 tuition fund 2023 to 2024 claim form- deadline 26 May 2023

The 16 to 19 tuition fund 2023 to 2024 opt in/out digital form is now live.

The deadline for your submission is 11:59pm on 26 May 2023.

We’ve published guidance to access and help you complete the form.

2. Reminder: book your place for this year’s School Resource Management summit

There is still time to secure your place on the second national School Resource Management (SRM) Summit on Thursday 8th June 2023 at the QEII Centre in Westminster.

The Summit will again bring together school business professionals, sector leaders and department officials to:

  • showcase best practice
  • exchange ideas
  • provide networking
  • promote discussion
  • and debate on the opportunities and challenges for school resource management.

This year the event will focus on how the DfE and ESFA plans to support the development of financial and resource management skills across the sector and the free suite of tools, services and support available.

Hear from the Minister for the School System and Finance, Baroness Barran and ESFA CEO, David Withey, as well as sector peers, experts, senior departmental officials and solution providers.

Delegate places are free of charge for those who are employed by an educational establishment and/or a public sector organisation.

Book your place online.

3. Information: PE and sports updated allocations 2023 to 2023 now available in the funding service

We have published the updated PE and sport premium allocations for 2022 to 2023 in the funding service. This covers the second instalment which is paid for April to August 2023. It replaces the previously published spreadsheet.

4. Information: lease providers and finance leases

We are aware there are a number of lease providers that are actively approaching trusts to explore reduced energy costs through LED lighting, solar panels and other sustainable initiatives, which can offer significant benefits to trusts.

When exploring these initiatives, trusts will need to review and decide whether the schemes are categorised as being finance leases, which academy trusts are not permitted to enter into in accordance with the Academy Trust Handbook (ATH). This is because they are borrowing as the purchase of equipment is achieved through the monthly payments on the lease. There is further information on the different types of leases in our good practice guide on leasing.

Where trusts are satisfied that schemes meet ATH requirements and only cover the operating costs of the equipment, trusts are free to explore and enter into schemes - following their procurement policy without the need for ESFA approval.

If you’d like to learn more about buying goods and services, including finding DfE-recommended supplier, please visit the Buying for Schools pages.

5. Information: National Tutoring Programme payment update

The final payment for the 2022 to 2023 academic year will now be made on 1 June 2023. We apologise for the delay to the published timings.

Further details about the programme can be found on GOV.UK.

6. Information: capital funding for 2023 to 2024

Final school condition allocations (SCA) and devolved formula capital (DFC) for financial year 2023 to 2024 have now been published. This is part of £1.8 billion committed in 2023 to 2024 for improving the condition of the school estate.

The department published the provisional SCA) for local authorities, large multi-academy trusts and large voluntary aided school bodies at the end of March. Final allocations have been updated to take account of changes in the status of schools, such as movements between responsible bodies, closures and mergers.

Devolved formula capital (DFC) allocations for individual schools have also been updated. Final allocation amounts, spend guidance and the methodology used to calculate eligibility and allocations are all available on GOV.UK.

The outcomes of the 2023 to 2024 Condition Improvement Fund are expected to be announced shortly.

7. Information: new DfE approved ICT frameworks

New DfE-approved ICT frameworks are now available on GOV.UK Find a Framework:

8. Information: stress and employee wellbeing workshop for RPA members

Willis Towers Watson is providing risk management support for all RPA members through audit, guidance and advice. As part of the risk management support, RPA members are invited to a workshop covering:

  • the impact of stress and poor mental health
  • vulnerability to stress and building individual resilience
  • organisational aspects of stress management
  • HSE Management Standards
  • control measures that contribute to a positive working environment and protect wellbeing

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis for 25 May 2023.

9. Information: RPA members – book your place on this Regulatory Mock Trial

The Department for Education, in conjunction with Willis Towers Watson, has developed a bespoke training seminar, ‘The Regulatory Mock Trial’.

This workshop has been designed to assist governors, trustees, directors, and members of Senior Leadership Teams to understand the challenges they face in implementing compliant health and safety management systems, enhance the prospects of avoiding enforcement action and improve the school’s defensive capabilities where a prosecution is pursued.

Places are for RPA members only and will be allocated on a first come first served basis:

10. Information: Buying for Schools webinars – book your place now

Are you a school business professional who buys goods and services for your school?

We host regular webinars on how using our approved frameworks could help your school get value for money. Click on the links to find out more and book your place:

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

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