Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 8 July 2020

Published 8 July 2020

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-8-july-2020/esfa-update-academies-8-july-2020

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: budget forecast return 3 year 2020

The online form for the budget forecast return three year (BFR3Y) has gone live today, Wednesday 8 July 2020, the deadline for submission is Tuesday 29 September 2020.

Summary of changes for this year only are:

  • deadline extension by 2 months to 29 September 2020
  • forecast collection for academic years 2021 to 2020 or 2022 to 2023 are paused for this year only
  • collection of summary 2018 to 2019 revenue totals

To access the BFR3Y form and to read our online return guidance please see our guidance page.

To help you prepare please see the workbook and if you need further details please join our weekly Skype calls.

The workbook is not intended for submission and is only there to help you complete the online form.

3. Information: suitability checks for chairs of trustees

We have developed a new digital service for academy trust chairs of trustees to apply for suitability checks.

A recent change in regulations allows us to offer an improved process for identity checks and modernised Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for new chairs, using the online Verifile service.

We will contact any chairs of trustees who have already started their DBS applications to explain what they need to do next.

ESFA carries out suitability checks on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education to comply with legislation and to keep children safe in education.

You can read more about academy trust chair suitability checks on GOV.UK.

4. Information: support DfE’s teacher recruitment and retention strategy

DfE is seeking national providers to lead delivery of:

If you are interested in providing input into the implementation of these programmes, there are market engagement events later this month for:

  • ECF reforms: Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, and Thursday 16 July at 10am
  • NPQs and NPH: Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, and Thursday 16 at 2pm
  • TSHs all schools: Thursday 9 July, 11am and Friday 10 July, 2pm
  • TSHs special and alternative provision: Thursday 9 July, 3pm
  • TSHs early years: Friday 10 July, 10am

You can find details of the events, including how to register and attend, on the links above.

5. Information: School Admission Code consultation

On 26 June, Department for Education (DfE) launched a consultation on a revised version of the School Admissions Code, and would welcome your feedback.

We have an extended consultation period of 16 weeks ending on 16 October 2020, to allow for disruption caused by both the school holidays and the phased re-opening and return to school. Written responses are welcome and we are planning to host virtual consultation sessions with our stakeholders. Please let us know if you would like to be involved so we can plan accordingly.

More information on each of the changes can be found within the consultation document (found at the bottom of the consultation webpage under ‘attachments’), as well as a revised draft of the Code as proposed.

You can contact us for any future comments or questions in relation to the consultation.

6. Information: announcement on T Level industry placements

Last week the Department for Education announced a new package of support for T Level industry placements.

It outlines additional support, guidance and flexibilities to help employers and providers deliver high quality industry placements and includes:

  • new guidance setting out the key roles and responsibilities for providers and employers around industry placements, including a guide for students to help them prepare for their placement
  • additional delivery models for industry placements in the Construction and Engineering and Manufacturing routes, to reflect modern practices
  • modified delivery targets for capacity and delivery fund placements to reflect the impact of the coronavirus on employers
  • extension of both the employer support fund pilot and the employer support package also in response to COVID-19

With the first T Levels launching in September, these measures will help ensure that T Level students starting this year and in subsequent years can access high quality placements that will support their future careers and deliver real benefits to the businesses hosting them.

7. Information: See Hear Respond service in response to COVID-19

See Hear Respond is a service provided across England by Barnardo’s and other national and local community-based organisations in response to COVID-19.

The programme has been created to help children and young people in England who are experiencing harm and increased adversity during this period by providing support to those who are not being seen by social care or other key agencies.

Working with its partners Barnardo’s aims to reduce the likelihood of harm and ensure other support and protective networks are in place using:

  • online digital support, including advice and information, online counselling and a telephone helpline
  • face to face interventions, such as support for groups at risk outside the home and one to one support
  • reintegration into education, including assessments and the delivery of support pathways back to education

See Hear Respond accept referrals from any source either through the Freephone number 0800 151 7015 and via the online referral hub.

8. Your feedback: the Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMSP)

The AMSP is asking teachers of maths in Years 10 to 13 to provide feedback on the resources and support it has provided so far, and on additional support it might provide for the autumn term.

In this letter to teachers, Kevin Lord, the AMSP’s Programme Leader, explains the background and rationale for further support the AMSP is considering developing, and provides details of what it might include.

Teachers are invited to provide their feedback by completing this short survey, which will remain open until Wednesday 15 July.

Once plans for the additional support have been finalised, details will be published on the AMSP website.

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