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1. Action: Check your data before the autumn school census return

As part of the 16 to 19 funding allocations process, we review how schools and academies record the core aim flag against post-16 learning aims in their autumn school census return.

We use the flag when calculating funding allocations to determine programme cost weighting and student retention.

In some cases, we correct significant errors to avoid substantial negative effects on funding. This is known as the core aim fix.

We will be using the core aim fix for the last time for 2026 to 2027 allocations. The core aim flag will still be a mandatory part of data returns, but we will no longer review and fix any erroneous recording after this point.

Detailed information on the聽聽will support with聽聽what you need to check to ensure your data is correct and your funding is not adversely affected by errors in your data recording.

2. Action: Academies accounts return online form is now live

The academies accounts return online form is now live for users to聽聽by Tuesday 27 January 2026.

The accounts return can only be submitted by the trust鈥檚 external auditor approver.

You should check the external auditor details are correct as soon as possible, to ensure they have access to the return and avoid delays in submitting this information. You can read聽our guidance聽for more information.

If you have difficulties accessing the form, contact the聽聽.

If you have not set up a DfE Sign-in account, you can聽聽to access the academies accounts return.

3. Information: Publication of fraud awareness good practice guide

We have published a聽fraud awareness good practice guide聽for education and training providers.

This is something that providers have been asking for to support them with understanding fraud and with mitigating fraud risks.

The guidance is aimed at academy trusts, colleges, and independent training providers and covers an understanding of fraud, prevention, detection, and reporting. It brings together a variety of supportive resources that will be helpful to different types of providers.

The guidance also offers suggestions for developing counter fraud policies and approaches. We have focused on cyber related fraud which is a clear risk in the education sector.

We will periodically review the guidance to ensure it reflects up to date fraud risks and best practice.

4. Information: Common themes arising from Department for Education鈥檚 assurance work

We have published the聽common themes聽arising from Department for Education鈥檚 assurance work.

The outcomes of our assurance work relate to the financial management and governance of the academies sector in 2024 to 2025 and its use of public funds.

Highlighting common themes in our work aims to help the sector to improve the quality of financial governance.

The briefing is for academy trust accounting officers, finance staff and trustees. Auditors of academy trust accounts may also find it helpful.

5. Information: Change to the T Level funding methodology for academic year 2027 to 2028

We have updated the聽T Levels funding guide 2025 to 2026聽to confirm a change in the funding methodology from the聽2027 to 2028 academic year onwards.

The funding methodology for the 2026 to 2027 academic year will remain unchanged, and we will continue to use the same as applied for academic year 2025 to 2026.

From 2027 to 2028,聽we will base initial allocations solely on student numbers from the start of the previous academic year as returned in your ILR (R04) or school census (autumn on roll pupils) data return.

Therefore, we will no longer ask institutions to submit estimated student numbers聽to inform allocations for 2027 to 2028 and beyond.

There will be no聽聽process for providers planning to introduce T Levels in academic year 2027 to 2028.

We recognise that some institutions will begin delivering T Levels in future years and others are still expanding their provision. To support this, we will maintain an in-year reconciliation process to account for over or under-delivery.

6. Information: Update to the 16 to 19 individualised learner record returns guidance

We have updated the聽individualised learner record (ILR)聽returns for academic year 2025 to 2026, which is for all institutions that complete the ILR data return.

We have clarified the process for calculating responsive growth and recoveries, which now includes further information on affordability checks and the potential recovery of funds.

This update ensures that the funding process is clear and transparent.

If you have any queries, contact us through the聽.

7. Information: Wanted - school governors with commercial expertise

In the聽, Wendy Burdon from DfE鈥檚 Schools Commercial Innovation and Development Team explains why more procurement professionals are needed as school governors and trustees.

8. Events and webinars: DfE auditor webinar on automating the accounts return

Wednesday 24 September 2025, at midday to 1pm.

9. Events and webinar: Senior leadership and operations power hour - local government pension offer webinar

Wednesday 24 September 2025, at 3pm to 4pm. .

10. Events and webinars: DfE Energy for Schools webinar

Monday 29 September 2025, at 11am to 11.30am. .

11. Events and webinars: DfE auditor webinar on automating the accounts return

Wednesday 1 October 2025, at 1pm to 2pm. .