DfE Update local authorities: 3 June 2026
Published 3 June 2026
Applies to England
1. Action: Submit Care to Learn and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for defined vulnerable groups funding claims
The third submission window is now open for academic year 2025 to 2026.ÌýUseÌýourÌýCare to Learn and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for defined vulnerable groupsÌýguidanceÌýwhen completing the form.Ìý
You mustÌýsubmitÌýnew funding claims usingÌýÌýon or beforeÌýWednesdayÌý1 July 2026Ìýfor the:
-
16 to 19 Bursary FundÌýfor defined vulnerable groupsÌý
You can also use this window toÌýsubmitÌýlate claims for both schemesÌýorÌýadjustÌýpreviousÌýclaims.ÌýÌý
Local authoritiesÌýare responsible forÌýsubmittingÌýdefined vulnerable group bursary claims on behalf ofÌýmaintainedÌýspecial schools and for eligible students they place in independent provision.Ìý
1.1 Submit end of year dataÌý
If you claimed Care to Learn funding in the first or second submission window, then you must also submit end of year data using theÌýsame digital formÌýas your funding claims on or before Wednesday 1 July 2026.ÌýWe will recover funding in full if you do not provide this data.Ìý
You do not have toÌýsubmitÌýend of year data for 16 to 19 bursaryÌýfundÌýfor defined vulnerable groups.Ìý
2. Information: Capital funding to improve the condition of schools 2026 to 2027
We have published final school condition allocations and devolved formula capital for financial year 2026 to 2027, updated from provisional allocations published in March.
This is part of over £2.1 billion committed for 2026 to 2027 for improving the condition of the school estate. It is in addition to our continued investment in the school rebuilding programme, targeted support for schools with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete and launching a new Renewal and Retrofit Programme - as set out in the education estates strategy. The strategy outlines plans for an education estate that supports opportunity for all.
Final allocation amounts and the condition funding methodology and spend guidance are available in the school capital funding guidance and eligible responsible bodies can also view allocations at Manage your education estate.
3. Information: Individualised learner record reports guidance for 2025 to 2026
We have updated the individualised learner record (ILR) funding reports for funding year 2025 to 2026 on the check ILR reports for possible data errors in your return guidance page.
This update includes information on how apprenticeship units are incorporated and introduces new reports for this funding year.
We have updated the cross year indicative payments report and updated the funding line types for adults and apprenticeships to include short courses.
We have also created the following new reports:
- funding summary report with short courses
- funding summary report with short courses (produced at period end)
- short courses indicative earnings report
- short courses monthly payments report
- short courses co-investment contributions report
Read our guidance to understand the new reports.
4. Information: Local authority planning calendar 2026 to 2027
We have published the local authority planning calendar for 2026 to 2027.
The calendar shows important dates for payments, publications and local authority actions for the period of April 2026 to March 2027.
The calendar is for planning purposes only. Dates are provisional and may be subject to change.
5. Reminder:ÌýDeadline for incorporating anyÌýnewÌýschools orÌýchanges to split siteÌýschoolsÌýinto the 2027Ìýto 2028 schoolsÌýnational funding formulaÌý
The schools national funding formula (NFF) includes a split sites factor,ÌýallocatingÌýadditionalÌýfunding for mainstream schoolsÌýoperatingÌýover more than one site.Ìý
Local authorities should emailÌýfundingpolicy.queries@education.gov.ukÌýto report any new split sites or changes to existing split sites. The deadline for new schools to be included in the 2027 to 2028 schools NFF isÌýFriday 19 June 2026.ÌýÌý
You can read further information aboutÌýthe eligibility criteria for split sites funding in theÌýschools operational guide: 2026 to 2027.Ìý
Note that split sites funding only covers mainstream schools, funded through the schools NFF.ÌýYou can view theÌýfullÌýlist of spilt site schools in theÌýschools block national funding formula: split sites funding.Ìý
6. Events and webinars:Ìý Risk protection arrangement members only: Pupil Well-being Workshop
Wednesday 17 June 2026, 10am to 12pm.