This new report from the National Audit Office examines DfE’s approach to supporting the school system in England respond to falling pupil numbers, seen in primary schools since 2018/19. Nationally, demand for primary school places fell by 3% between 2018/19 and 2024/25, with DfE projecting a further 7% fall from 2025 to 2030. The proportion … Continue reading Responding to changing demand for school places
Tag: Finance
Maximising value for pupils: guidance for schools and trusts
The DfE has published guidance, support and a policy document for schools and trusts to maximise value from resources, ensuring every pound delivers for children. This includes: a policy paper: Maximising value for pupils; Achieving better value when buying; Managing financial and physical assets; Strategic workforce planning for schools and trusts; Improve your school's and … Continue reading Maximising value for pupils: guidance for schools and trusts
Pupil numbers and school finances
A blog post from NFER looks at the potential impact on school finances of the projected falls in pupil numbers. The Department for Education forecasts primary pupil numbers will fall by five per cent (ca. 185,000 pupils) between January 2025 and 2028, with a further drop of approximately 115,000 pupils expected from January 2028 and … Continue reading Pupil numbers and school finances
Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
The Department for Education has issued new guidance for potential incoming responsible bodies that may need capital funding to support a school joining a strong trust through the sponsorship funding route, i.e. academy trusts taking on new schools. It is aimed at situations where the costs of taking on a school might be prohibitive. You … Continue reading Strategic school improvement capital budget (SSICB)
Teacher 2025 pay award
The DfE announced a 4% pay award on 22 may, but the catch is that schools will have to find 1% of this from their own resources. You can read the statement from the DfE on their website, here. The NGA's response both welcomes the early annoucement and level of award, but criticises the fact … Continue reading Teacher 2025 pay award
The King’s Speech 2024: What does it mean for education?
The new Labour government have announced a series of new bills and initiatives - this post on the DfE website summarises what's there for education, which includes: Children’s Wellbeing Bill: Making sure there are free breakfast clubs in every primary school; Limiting the number of branded uniform items that a school can require, to bring … Continue reading The King’s Speech 2024: What does it mean for education?
Free Water Audit for Schools
As part of their Green Recovery project, Severn Trent Water are currently offering a free water efficiency audit to schools in Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire to help them save water, energy and money. The free audit will review water usage across the site. They take flow readings, look for leaks and understand usage habits. … Continue reading Free Water Audit for Schools
Upcoming training from Derbyshire S4S
Below is a selection of upcoming courses from Derbyshire S4S (those that are applicable to Governors). You should contact your clerk before making a booking un less you have agreed that you can book the courses directly. To access the course details you will need to login to S4S. Inspection readyFor those new to headship, … Continue reading Upcoming training from Derbyshire S4S
dsga.org.uk 