October Returns

October is not normally a month for Returns, but there are two returns that new Academies and Free Schools are likely to have to complete in the next few weeks. Also the EFA advise that a significant number of Academies are still to claim support for their rates. Does this apply to you? New Academies A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Academies that opened on 1 September received a welcome pack from the EFA. That pack is now available to all on the EFA website – for a copy go to https://www.gov.uk/information-for-new-academies#welcome-letter-and-pack-to-new-academies The EFA have said they will regularly update this resource as a reference for information on different aspects of academy business. It is also a useful document to support the CPD of both staff and governors. New Academies are reminded that in the next few weeks there are two returns that need to be submitted to the EFA:

• Within 6 weeks of opening they must submit the land and buildings valuation form – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academies-land-and-buildings-valuation
• Within 6 weeks of receiving their funding letter they need to submit their budget. Many new Academies and Free Schools received their funding letter at the end of September, meaning the budget must be ready shortly after the half term break. For further details see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academies-budget-forecast-form-2014-to-2015

  CFR for Academies The Department for Education has published a ‘Statistical First Release’ of income and expenditure in England during 2012 to 2013. The plan is to release more detailed information, from data collected in the benchmark returns submitted in January 2014 for 2012/13, when this happens we will let you know. The first release can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-data The headline information is that the median per pupil income for both primary and secondary school fell in 2012/13 compared to 2011/12. While secondary school spend decreased in the year on year comparison, primary school spend per pupil increased and exceeded the income per pupil.   National Non Domestic Rates Have you claimed funding from the EFA to support the payment of your National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR)? The EFA advise that a significant number of Academies have still to claim their grant. Details on how to request this additional grant can be found at https://www.gov.uk/academies-funding-claims The same area on the GOV.UK website also provides guidance on claiming help with insurance premiums – if your Academy is eligible for additional top-up support.   In Short The EFA have made available conditions relating to the following grants:

• Pupil Premium – Go to https://www.gov.uk/funding-payments-for-academies#pupil-premium-payments
• Universal Infant Free School Meals – Go to https://www.gov.uk/funding-payments-for-academies#universal-infant-free-school-meals-uifsm

Academies will have received their second pupil premium for 2014/2015 on 6^th October. On the TES website a range of resources and guides have been made available to encourage and support Academies in developing places for nursery children – Go to http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Two-year-olds-in-schools-demonstration-project-6393244/ The EFA have a number of webinars this term to support Academies with the completion of its returns – Go to https://registration.livegroup.co.uk/efa/