For some the half term break will have provided time to re-charge the batteries before the final sprint finish to the end of the school year - I hope you were one of these. For academies this is also the final quarter in the financial year, with activity required to ensure everything is reported correctly this year and budgets are set for next.
At the start of the final half term we draw your attention to a number of key requirements of the DfE.
From the EFA Business Planner
The tasks in June on the planner are:
Academies:
- Academy trusts that did not prepare audited financial statements as at 31 August 2013 or opened new academies between 1 September 2014 and 31 March 2015 submit their March accounts return for year ending 31 March 2014
EFA:
- Issues accounts return and benchmarking return request for year ending 31 August 2014
- Issues budget forecast return for new academies open after 31 March 2014
- Makes devolved formula capital payments
- Publishes academies financial handbook 2014, which comes into effect in September
- Holds webinar (interactive online seminar) on 2014 to 2015 budget forecast (9 June)
The full EFA business planner can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-business-cycle
Timelines for Schools
The Department for Education has recently updated its 'timeline page', which provides an overview
of mandatory legal requirements to be implemented, to help head teachers, principals and governors plan for the forthcoming academic year. Other useful dates are included in separate information timelines.
Please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mandatory-and-useful-timelines-information-for-schools
Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM)
The Department for Education published further guidance on UIFSM during the half term which explains how the grant will be allocated and paid to local authorities for maintained schools. There is also a calculator to allow schools to estimate the value of the grant they will receive.
We assume similar guidance will be issued for academies soon.
Visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-infant-free-school-meals-conditions-of-grant
Governors Handbook
The Department for Education has released a revised version of its Governors Handbook, which provides guidance to governors of both maintained schools and academies. The statutory policies for schools page outlines the policies and other documents school governing bodies are legally required to hold. Governors looking for more advice, can contact Governor Line free of charge - Telephone 08000 722 181.
Copies of the Handbook are available at -
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governors-handbook--2
Governors may also be interested in the national campaign to recruit high calibre governors, particularly in deprived areas. Visit the inspiring governors web site at
http://www.inspiringgovernors.org/
School Business Services Can Help
Don't panic. Yes the final sprint to the summer holidays is a busy period - and we haven't mentioned the Summer Fayres, Sports Days and other year end activities. If you need support, then please contact us at School Business Services. Whilst we cannot promise the man the tom-bola stall, we can promise professional support in dealing with your finances, management information and ICT.
Call us on 0845 300 8179 or visit
http://www.schoolbusinessservices.co.uk
