Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 24 June 2020

Published 24 June 2020

This correspondence was withdrawn on 29 December 2021

This has been withdrawn as it’s out of date.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

Applies to England

1. Latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department for Education has published guidance about COVID-19 in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students on GOV.UK.

Please check GOV.UK regularly for updates.

2. Action: coronavirus (COVID-19) schools fund claim

We’ve published the claim form for schools and academies to claim exceptional costs relating to coronavirus (COVID-19). Please read the instructions and video on completing the form

3. Reminder: declare or seek approval for your related party transactions

Academy trusts must use our online form to declare transactions with related parties before they are agreed with a supplier.

Where the transaction cost exceeds £20k, either as a single contract or cumulative transactions with the same supplier, you must seek approval from us using the same online form.

You must seek approval before the contract starts.

You can read information about the reporting requirement for related party transactions on GOV.UK. This includes a checklist for the evidence to include with an approval request.

4. Information: Academies Financial Handbook 2020

We have published the 2020 edition of the Academies financial handbook - which comes into effect on 1 September 2020 – as a PDF available to download.

We have summarised the changes to the 2020 edition on page 9 of the PDF. This includes new information and requirements for academy trusts from 1 September 2020, such as trustee’s responsibilities with regard to going concern, internal scrutiny coverage and updated information on general controls and transparency.

We will update the digital handbook to reflect the 2020 edition on 1 September 2020.

5. Information: Academies budget forecast return 3 year (BFR3Y)

We have updated the BFR3Y GOV.UK page with information about weekly Skype dial-in sessions we are hosting to support you when completing your BFR3Y. We have also published the online form guidance for the BFR3Y.

The updated page includes:

• Information about Skype sessions which will start with a pre go live call – aimed at new users - on 1 July 2020 at 1pm, then weekly from 16 July 2020
• the Excel workbook to help you prepare your return
• the online form guide for the BFR3Y

The BFR3Y go-live date is 8 July 2020 and deadline for submission is 29 September 2020.

6. Information: pupil premium allocations for 2020 to 2021

We have published pupil premium allocations for 2020 to 2021 financial year.

7. Information: guidance for schools post Reading terrorist attack, 20 June 2020

The following guidance and advice may be of assistance should you, your staff and/or pupils be seeking any support in the aftermath of Saturday’s terrorist attack in Reading.

7.1 Support

The Home Office’s Victims of Terrorism Unit website, includes access to support services, including mental health and other medical services.

7.2 Resources

Whether or not your school was directly affected, students may have concerns over news coverage and online footage. The following online resources may be of specific assistance to educators (safeguarding leads and teachers) with discussions about terrorist attacks:

• The PSHE Association Frameworks: Primary and Secondary resources
• Educate Against Hate
• NSPCC

The following online resources may be of specific assistance to parents and children with discussions about terrorist attacks:

• LGfL: Talking to Children about terrorism (for parents)
• NSPCC: How should you talk to children about terrorism? (for parents)
• Childline: Worries about the world page (for children)