DfE COVID-19 Funding Arrangements Update

Whilst schools will continue to receive core funding budget allocations, there is also an expectation that schools continue to make payment for pupils attending alternative provisions and also to continue paying staff in line with employment contracts. However additional funding has been identified for all schools including pupil referral units, free schools, alternative provisions and hospital schools and academies for the following expenses:

1. Increased premises related costs
2. Support for free school meals for eligible children not attending school
3. Additional cleaning

With funding values up to:

Pupil numbers for the funding will be defined using the below headcounts:

• 2 to 4 year olds – headcount of funded places from January 2020
• 5 to 16 year olds – headcount from October 2019 census
• 16 to 19 year olds – pupil numbers from 2019 to 2020 academic year allocations

It is important to keep in mind the DfE has explicitly stated that schools and academies cannot make claims against this funding in order to add to reserves.

The DfE will publish further guidance in June 2020 relating to COVID-19 costs, in the meantime they have advised schools to continue to make the necessary payments from their existing budgets and record the costs; the SAAF COVID-19 Additional Costs Log and a COVID-19 cost centre will assist in ensuring all costs are captured.  Schools are also able to email the DfE directly on at DfE.CoronavirusHelpline@education.gov.uk if further information is required. Click here to read the full DfE guidance.

If schools would like support with reclaiming costs or any other services during these uncertain times, we’d like to take the opportunity to reassure schools that our finance team has the capability to work remotely to support you and ensure your financial responsibilities are met even during the extended period of school closures or staff absence. Therefore, if required we can be commissioned at short notice to provide support.