Correspondence

ESFA Update local authorities: 24 May 2023

Published 24 May 2023

Applies to England

1. Action: 16 to 19 tuition fund 2023 to 2024 claim form

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 this Friday 26 May 2023.

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

2. Action: split sites funding eligibility

In the government’s response to the public consultation on implementing the “direct” schools national funding formula (NFF), we confirmed that we will reform the funding for schools which have more than one site, through a new factor within the NFF. We also published a preliminary list of schools which are eligible for funding under the new criteria.

We have now published an updated version of the list, with the feedback we have received from schools and local authorities so far.

We require any further comments on the revised list by Wednesday 7 June for funding to be allocated correctly through the 2024 to 2025 NFF.

Please direct any comments to our enquiry form.

3. Information: updated dedicated schools grant (DSG) management guidance for local authorities

We have published version 6 of the DSG management plan template, which is available on Document Exchange and updated the supporting guidance alongside this.

We encourage local authorities to download this new version.

The template helps local authorities to meet the requirements of the DSG: conditions of grant. It allows local authorities to forecast and monitor DSG spending and numbers of education, health and care plans (EHC plans) and form evidence-based plans for the provision of children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

The updates we have made to the new template include:

• local authorities will now be able to forecast up to 7 financial years (please note that it is not compulsory to forecast this far but we would expect to see a minimum of 3 years)

• removal of 2018 to 2019 financial data; the template is now pre-populated for 2021 to 2022 financial year

• narrative sections on the ‘local authority specific’ and ‘placements’ tabs have been updated

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us via email.

4. Information: ESFA adult education budget (AEB) funding and performance management rules 2023 to 2024

We’ve published version 2 of the AEB funding rules for 2023 to 2024. The rules apply to all providers of education and training who receive AEB funding from ESFA.

A full breakdown of the changes is included in the ‘What’s New?’ section of the rules. We have:

• clarified how we will integrate the core elements of the traineeship programme for learners aged 19 to 24, including work experience
• confirmed that the HGV offer has been extended for the 2023 to 2024 academic year
• added additional residency criteria to ensure compliance with legislation updates
• provided full details on the innovation fund
• removed the restriction on funding for workplace learning
• clarified how to confirm the eligibility of a learning aim for FCFJ

We’d like to draw your attention to one change which will be of interest to apprenticeship providers and individuals planning to undertake an apprenticeship.

We removed the funding restrictions for individuals planning to undertake an apprenticeship. This means that providers can now use AEB funding for individuals preparing for an apprenticeship. This will especially help learners to make progress towards GCSE grade 4 or equivalent in English and maths as part of their legal entitlement prior to commencing an apprenticeship.

The rules pertaining to those undertaking an apprenticeship remain.

5. Information: advanced learner loans funding and performance management rules version 2 2023 to 2024

We have published version 2 of the advanced learner loans funding and performance management rules 2023 to 2024.

The main change from version 1, published in March 2023 is the inclusion of the performance management rules for 2023 to 2024.

The rules apply to all providers of education and training holding a loan facility condition and loans bursary fund agreement with ESFA.

6. Information: sign up for our national professional qualification (NPQ) webinar on Tuesday 13 June

Did you know that National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are fully funded by the government and for each teacher or leader in your school who takes an NPQ this academic year:

• state-funded primary schools with one to 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £800
• state-funded primary schools with more than 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200
• state-funded secondary schools and state-funded 16-19 educational settings with one to 600 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200

The Schools Commercial Team are hosting a webinar to give you all the information you need about NPQs for the teachers and leaders in your school. Sign up now for more detail and a chance to ask questions.

7. 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:

• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through West Mercia Energy – 13 June
• Buying electricity and mains gas for your school through ESPO – 13 June

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.

8. Information: cyber awareness workshop for RPA members

Willis Towers Watson is providing risk management support for all Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) members through audit, guidance, and advice.

As part of the risk management support RPA members are invited to a workshop covering:

• minimum requirements in relation to managing Cyber Risk
• typical cyber risks that schools may be exposed to and best practice to reduce risk to an acceptable level

You can sign up for either session on:

• 15 June 2023
• 29 June 2023

9. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs – spaces available on 15 June

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.