October News Update
Posted 19th October 2016
The first half term of the new school year draws to a close.
Checking the timetable for 2016/2017, there are a number of important events happening in the coming weeks – here is a reminder.Primary Sports Funding Continues
The Department for Education has recently published details of the Primary School Sports Funding for 2016-2017. Click here for details. The payment must be used to fund additional and sustainable improvements to the provision of PE and sport, for the benefit of primary-aged pupils in the current academic year; to encourage the development of healthy, active lifestyles. Allocations for the academic year 2016 to 2017 are calculated using the number of pupils in years 1 to 6, as recorded in the January 2016 census, as follows:- Schools with 17 or more pupils receive £8,000 plus £5 per pupil
- Schools with 16 or fewer pupils receive £500 per pupil
High Needs Places
The process to notify the Education Funding Agency of changes to high needs place numbers for 2017 to 2018 in EFA funded institutions has been published. Click here for details. Institutions should contact their home local authority directly if they wish to discuss changes to their high needs place numbers, but have not yet been contacted by the authority. Your local authority is required to submit the completed place change notification workbook by 25 November 2016.Next Round of Condition Improvement Funds
We are expecting the next round on Condition Improvement Funding to be announced in October, with a December deadline for submission. If you are considering a bid and need help putting it together – please give us a call, as the Finance Team have supported a number of successful bids from schools.Work Force Census
The School Workforce Census is on Thursday 3rd November 2016 but it is never too early to start preparing. See our blog on changes introduced this year.Local Government Pension Scheme – FRS17 Valuations
We are aware that many Local Government Pension Schemes are releasing scheme valuations (FRS17) to academies in October. This information will be requited by your auditor.Academy Land & Building Valuations
Land and building valuations for all new academies that opened between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016, and those academies whose land and buildings were revalued are now available in the EFA Document Exchange. This information will be required by your auditor. Those academies that opened on the 1 September must submit their land and buildings valuation information form to the EFA within 6 weeks of opening.New Academies
New academies should refer to the Welcome Pack for deadlines on key actions that they need to undertake. Those that opened on 1 September are reminded that:- Within 6 weeks of receiving their final funding letter, they must submit a budget forecast
- Within 2 months of opening submit a claim for non-domestic rates
- Within 4 months of opening submit a Financial Management & Governance Self-assessment (FMGS) or alternative assurance to the EFA
