Correspondence

ESFA Update academies: 3 May 2023

Published 3 May 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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1. Action: Public sector data return 2023

Between 2017 and 2022 the number of apprenticeship starts across the public sector grew to over 280,000.

Apprenticeships play an important role in the public sector, they give employers the skills they need to deliver vital services and provide opportunities for people to start high quality careers, boost their skills or retrain.

We want to ensure continued transparency in the use of apprenticeships in the public sector, so we wrote recently to inform you that we wanted public sector employers, with 250 or more staff, to continue collecting and reporting data.

To report your data, please use the form under the ‘Apprentices’ tab on the homepage of your ‘Apprenticeship Service Account’. The data we need by 31 May 2023, for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, includes:

  • Total number of new apprenticeship starts
  • Total number of apprentices
  • Organisation headcount

More information is published in guidance on GOV.UK. If you require further support, please contact helpdesk@manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk.

Thank you for your continued support.

2. Information: Academy Finance Professionals May Power Hour – HMRC VAT

Would you like to understand more about VAT obligations across the academy sector? If so, join the next Power Hour on Thursday 18 May 3pm-4pm where HMRC VAT specialists will present an overview of:

  • Business and Non-Business-related VAT activities
  • Tips and guidance to help understand VAT obligations relating to your organisation
  • How to submit VAT returns
  • Who to contact with a technical query

There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the event.

Register now to guarantee your place

3. Information: update to targeted support fund offer to support teachers and leaders participating in national professional qualifications (NPQs)

We’ve updated the targeted support fund offer for the 2023 to 2024 academic year to further incentivise state-funded schools and state-funded 16 to 19 educational settings in England to participate in NPQs.

For each state-funded school and 16 to 19 organisation that employs a teacher or leader who takes a NPQ in the 2023 to 2024 academic year, the following funding will apply:

  • state-funded primary schools with 1 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 to 19 educational settings with 1 to 600 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200

You can read the targeted support funding grant conditions of grant and view the NPQs currently available in our course prospectus.

4. Information: Have you got your ticket yet to visit Buying for Schools at the Schools and Academies Show on 17 May?

Join the DfE Schools Commercial Team at the Schools and Academies Show, London Excel on Wednesday 17 May.

The team will be hosting a session at the show:

10 – 10:30: How Get help buying for schools can help your school (Business and Finance theatre)

You can also speak directly to the team and join our mini sessions at the Government Education Village:

13:50 – 14:10: Energy and your school

14:20 – 14:40: Is your school cyber secure?

Register now. Registration is free for schools, multi-academy trusts and the wider public sector.

5. 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.

6. Information: book a 1:1 chat to discuss your school’s buying needs

The 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.

7. Information: Academies chart of accounts 2023/24

We have published the new version of the academies chart accounts for the financial year 2023/24.

Updates can be found on the change control tab of the spreadsheet or within section 4 of the ‘Guide to adopting the academies chart of accounts’.

We will also be running webinars on the following dates for trusts who have already adopted the standard chart of accounts, to talk through the updates.

  • Tuesday 16 May 11:00- 12:30
  • Wednesday 24 May 14:30- 15:30
  • Thursday 15 June 11:30- 2:30
  • Friday 16 June 11:00- 12:00

To join a session and for information visit the academies chart of accounts page.

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