The Department for Education published its weekly Update on 5 November 2025, setting out near‑term funding, assurance and resource management actions for academies, local authorities and further education providers. This edition covers the 2026 to 2027 high needs place change window, updated school uniform guidance ahead of 2026, the 2026 to 2027 Condition Improvement Fund round, apprenticeship assessment reforms, a new enter learning data service for ILR submissions, and deadlines for Care to Learn and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund. The correspondence applies to England.
High needs places: the DfE change notification process for 2026 to 2027 is open until Friday 5 December 2025. Local authorities should submit any revisions to place numbers for DfE‑funded schools and colleges using the workbook available via the digital form. Where no change is requested, 2025 to 2026 numbers will normally roll forward. DfE has provided spring 2025 census data for special academies and free schools, plus ILR R06 data (including the import/export adjustment issued in June 2025) to inform commissioning discussions for 2026 to 2027. The guidance sets out how to access the form and complete the workbook.
School uniforms: updated statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms now includes draft statutory guidance proposing a limit on the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit. The Department intends to make this a legal requirement from September 2026 through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill; schools are advised to review uniform policies and engage suppliers early to manage contractual implications. The published guidance makes clear that the draft sections will be updated following the Bill’s passage.
Condition funding: applications are open for the 2026 to 2027 Condition Improvement Fund, launched on 21 October 2025. Eligible schools in smaller academy trusts, smaller voluntary aided bodies and sixth‑form colleges should bid where there are condition investment needs. Larger multi‑academy trusts, local authorities and larger VA bodies will instead receive School Condition Allocation to deploy across their estate. DfE has published applicant guidance and a loan repayment calculator, and signposts separate urgent capital support for cases posing an immediate closure risk.
Apprenticeship assessment reforms move away from a single end‑point event. Under DfE’s 2025 to 2026 changes, plans will be shorter, avoid duplication and allow, where appropriate, assessment during the programme with providers able to mark specified components while assessment organisations ensure validity. The reforms align with the Apprenticeship Assessment Principles and will phase in over the next 12 to 18 months; transitional guidance covers design, roles and implementation. Skills England has begun publishing illustrative revised plans for selected standards; current end‑point assessment remains until implementation details are confirmed.
Apprenticeship interventions: DfE says the accountability approach is unchanged but actions will be proportionate as Ofsted’s new inspection framework embeds. Decisions will draw on a broader set of indicators rather than Ofsted judgements alone. The apprenticeship training provider accountability framework is scheduled to be updated by Friday 28 November.
Data returns: the new Enter learning data (ELD) service is now available for providers that do not use an MIS, replacing the Learner Entry Tool. ELD offers real‑time validation, multi‑user access and secure storage within DfE, with links to services such as the Learning Records Service; use is optional and free. DfE notes ELD currently supports funded apprenticeships and Care to Learn courses, with additional funding models to be added over the coming year and non‑funded apprenticeships expected in early 2026.
FE financial statements: colleges must file 2024/25 year‑end documents by Wednesday 31 December 2025, including the signed audited annual report and financial statements, audit committee annual report, external auditor’s management letter with responses, and the updated Finance Record showing 2024/25 outturn. Submissions must be authorised by the accounting officer; the Customer Help Portal should be used for queries.
Bursaries and Care to Learn: the autumn 2025 digital claim window closes at 5pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025. DfE has set three claim windows for 2025/26, with payments from the autumn window due in February 2026 (March for academies). Maintained special schools must route 16 to 19 vulnerable bursary claims via their local authority. Late claims are not accepted until the next window in January 2026.
Engagement and support: DfE is inviting responsible bodies to join early testing of ‘Manage your education estate’ ahead of wider rollout. November webinars for academies cover accident investigation for Risk Protection Arrangement members, automation of the chart of accounts and accounts return, and use of the Financial Benchmarking Insights Tool; registration links are included in the Update.