Departmental News

The DfE/EFA have released information that Senior Leaders and Governors will want to consider.

Condition Improvement Fund

Academies and sixth-form colleges can apply to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) for capital funding from the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). The core priority for CIF is to address significant condition need, keeping academy and sixth-form college buildings safe and in good working order. CIF also supports a small proportion of expansion projects for OFSTED-rated good or outstanding academies and sixth-form colleges that need to expand their existing facilities and/or floor space. However the guidance also states that if you are preparing an expansion project, you may wish to consider the alternative option of opening a free school as this could meet your requirements or need for places in your local area. If you are part of a MAT with at least 5 academies as of 1st September 2016, and those academies had more than 3,000 pupils in the January 2016 school census, you do not need to apply to CIF. Your MAT will receive a formulaic allocation to use strategically across your estate for the financial year 2017 to 2018.

Funding details:

• Primary & Special Schools – Minimum £20,000, Maximum £4,000,000
• Secondary, All Through, Sixth Form – Minimum £50,000, Maximum £4,000,000

The timetable is

• Registration deadline for new applicants 5pm 30th November 2016
• Deadline for submitting applications 12 noon 9th December 2016
• Notification of outcomes to applicants by April 2016

Previous CIF rounds have been heavily oversubscribed. For the 2017 to 2018 round, the EFA expects similarly high levels of demand. Only applications which demonstrate a high project need, supported with evidence, and aligned closely with the priorities of CIF are likely to be successful. Successful applications are likely to hit a number of priorities, rather than a single priority. For example as well as addressing electrical work, your project might also address a safeguarding issue (both high priority), as well as dealing with concerns about the fabric of the building (medium priority) and lighting (low priority). For full details click here If you are considering making an application and want further assistance, call the Finance Service Desk on 0345 222 1551 • Option 2

GCSE and A level Statistics

The Department for Education (DfE) has now published provisional statistics for 2015 to 2016 on GCSE and equivalent results, and on A level and other 16-18 results. Revised figures are expected to be published in January 2017. The GCSE statistics include information about Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores, pupil attainment in English and maths (A*-C) and details relating to EBacc. The A Level statistics include information about results in A level and other academic, technical and applied level 3 qualifications. Academies preparing their Annual Report and Accounts may wish to use the data now made available as part of the Trustees Report. Should you require any assistance in interpreting data for your school or if you require an onsite consultancy visit then please contact our SIMS Service Desk on 0345 222 1551 • Option 3.