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YPLA Q&A allocations document
The YPLA yesterday published a very useful Q&A document concerning the rationale and some of the processes associated with policy announcement and the 2011/12 allocations. Version 1 of the Q&A documents can be downloaded from: http://tinyurl.com/67kbwfd

It is also worth noting the last bullet point in particular, which says there will be a consultation this year to consider changing/simplifying the funding formula. With the raising of the participation age leading to nearly all or even all 16-18 year-olds being full-time (hence the squeeze on the largest programmes) I suspect the soon to be created Education Funding Agency will want to adopt a per learner national formula (which could even start from the age of 4, i.e. Year 1).

Low-Cost ALS included within transitional protection
I also asked the YPLA to address a particular query about the inclusion of Low-Cost Additional Learning Support (ALS) being included within the funding per learner used for transitional protection. Their answer was as follows:

“Low-Cost ALS will be included within transitional protection. The statements issued at the end of January include the total funding per learner including low-cost ALS that was received in 2010/11. In order to achieve this, the ALS allocations for 10/11 have been split into low-cost and high-cost ALS. The implication of the funding per learner figure is that when transitional protection is applied, providers can receive a maximum reduction of 3% of this figure.”

A word from the boss at Ofsted about the entitlement cut
I understand that Ofsted has this week been in discussion with the YPLA about the impact of the cut to entitlement on provision, and that the YPLA have said they do not expect the funding reduction to have much of an impact (!). I am sure this meeting would have happened anyway, but in early January I asked the Chief Inspector (Christine Gilbert) a few questions about it, and she has said I could include her answer in full below:

“You ask whether Ofsted was consulted about the recent change in funding for pupils aged 16-18 and its impact. We were not consulted on this specific issue, and would not expect to be, as it relates to funding policy. We regularly meet with colleagues, for example, from the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and respective funding agencies to share information. We also respond, where appropriate, to consultations and did respond to the recent BIS consultation seeking views on simplifying the post-19 Further Education and Skills funding system and methodology. However, we do not necessarily expect to be consulted on the full range of Government intentions or allocations in relation to funding.

You also ask whether Ofsted will be revisiting the inspection framework and the expectations inspectors have of sixth forms in schools and colleges when grading. We are currently evaluating the Common Inspection Framework, launched in September 2009, and will subsequently revise this in line with government policy. However, funding changes do not generally result in changes to inspection frameworks. Inspectors keep abreast of any changes to funding and the possible impact on provision for learners. The focus of our inspections will remain on how well a college or provider meets the needs of learners and enables them to achieve well."

Today is a particularly significant data return deadline
The period 6 Employer Responsive (ER) data return deadline is today (4th Feb). It is particularly significant as it represents the first half of the 2010/11 academic year, and as part of the Quarter 2 performance reviews it will be used by the SFA to finalise 2011/12 allocations, due in March.

As the guidance note that that came with provider Adult Skills Budgets received on the 31st January states: “Final allocations will be issued by 31 March 2011. These will be adjusted to reflect any changes in delivery (based on 2010/11 Mid Year
estimate for Colleges, and the Quarter 2 Review for Training Organisations and Employers), the impact of Minimum Levels of Performance and changes resulting from transfer of learners as a result of Minimum Contract Levels.”

Unfortunately the Online Data Collections (OLDC) system has been suffering ‘intermittent problems’ this week. Let’s hope whatever has been causing the problem is now fixed http://tinyurl.com/64gb63q

News on the pre-employment programmes (PUES of PfU?)
Many have been awaiting news of what will happen to programmes like Response to Redundancy, which have contractual end dates at the end of March 2011. The SFA yesterday published a technical briefing note which they have called “Programmes for the Unemployed Exit Strategy”. I assume they mean Programmes for the Unemployed (PfU), which the SFA are exiting from, as opposed to supporting participants existing from unemployment! Read the document here: http://tinyurl.com/69h7c6f

Last discount day for Apprenticeship Funding Summit
More than 100 people have already booked their place on the Apprenticeship Funding Summit, and today is the last day to receive the £50 early-bird discount. Find out more and book your place here: http://tinyurl.com/6cbn6mw

A SASE web page and email address
The SFA have created a webpage for Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) information http://tinyurl.com/5unxmss
and an email address to which you can send your questions:
sasefeedback@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk

Definitions of glh for the SASE
A senior NAS official responsible for the SASE replied to my glh definition query by saying: “When the SASE was first published two accompanying documents were also published – Information Requirement and Guidance to support the SASE. The Guidance document provides the definition of glh within an Apprenticeship.”

These documents can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/5uenx6q . Of particular interest will be the last three pages of: http://tinyurl.com/4k99x5p

I was also told that “The withdrawal of the mandatory element for UCAS points has been removed from the SASE for the time being. There is currently a review of the UCAS system to be undertaken and it is anticipated that once the outcome of the review is known the inclusion of UCAS tariff points for Apprenticeship frameworks will be reviewed.”