DfE update 5 Nov 2025: funding, data and deadlines

If you work in a school, college or trust in England, this is your at‑a‑glance guide to today’s Department for Education (DfE) update, published on Wednesday 5 November 2025. We’ve translated the official notices into clear steps so you can plan funding, data returns and governance with confidence. The DfE says the update covers academies, local authorities and further education providers.

Let’s start with dates because diaries matter. Claims for Care to Learn and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund (defined vulnerable groups) close at 5pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025. The mandatory FE Workforce and Governor Data Collection closes on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Requests to change high needs places must be submitted by Friday 5 December 2025. Colleges must file audited accounts and the updated Finance Record by Wednesday 31 December 2025. All are set out on GOV.UK.

High needs places are the funded slots for children and young people who need additional support. The 2026 to 2027 place change window is open until Friday 5 December 2025. If you request no changes, DfE will usually roll forward your 2025 to 2026 numbers. DfE has also published spring 2025 census data for special academies and free schools to support commissioning conversations, and local authorities hold ILR R06 data with import/export adjustments from June 2025. What this means: speak to your local authority this week if you expect pressure on places next autumn.

Uniform costs remain in the spotlight. DfE has published updated statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms, alongside draft text that would cap the number of compulsory branded items for uniform and PE kit from September 2026. Schools are strongly advised to review policies now, brief governors, and talk to suppliers about any contract changes so families are not hit with unexpected costs.

On estates funding, the 2026 to 2027 Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) bidding round opened on Tuesday 21 October 2025. Smaller trusts, smaller voluntary aided bodies and sixth‑form colleges should apply if they have condition projects. Larger multi‑academy trusts and larger VA bodies will instead receive School Condition Allocation (SCA) to invest across their schools. Eligible groups have already been notified. What this means: check which route applies to you before you scope projects or engage consultants.

Colleges and training providers are being encouraged to use Enter learning data (ELD) as the preferred way to build Individualised Learner Record (ILR) files. ELD currently supports funded apprenticeships and Care to Learn courses, with non‑funded apprenticeships expected in early 2026. Benefits flagged by DfE include less re‑keying, real‑time validation, clearer user journeys, secure storage in the DfE environment and links to services such as the Learning Records Service. If you run apprenticeships, trial ELD now and plan a wider switchover during 2026.

Apprenticeship assessment is changing. Following the 15 October update, Skills England has released example revised assessment plans for assistant accountant, data technician and early years educator, reflecting principles agreed in February 2025. The aim is to streamline assessment, allow some assessment during the programme where appropriate, and remove duplication. These examples are not live yet; current end‑point assessments continue while DfE confirms implementation dates. What this means: map your curricula to the new approach and keep your end‑point assessment organisation in the loop.

DfE is also updating its apprenticeship intervention policy as the new Ofsted Inspection Framework beds in. Officials say they will consider each case on its merits and take a proportionate approach during the first 12 months of transition. An update to the apprenticeship accountability framework is promised by Friday 28 November 2025. What this means: keep evidence strong and learner experience central while the framework settles.

College finance teams have a December checklist. The Finance Record template has changed - including updates to the ‘miscellaneous’ sheet - and must accompany your audited accounts. You’ll also need the audit committee’s annual report, the external auditor’s management letter and any relevant subsidiary accounts. Only returns signed by the accounting officer will be accepted. The deadline is Wednesday 31 December 2025. Use the DfE Customer Help Portal if you hit issues.

A separate assurance task is the mandatory FE Workforce and Governor Data Collection, closing on Wednesday 26 November 2025. There are three strands to complete: staff‑level data, organisation and vacancies, and governor information for FE and sixth‑form college corporations and designated institutions. If in doubt, log back in and check each strand shows ‘collection complete’. DfE is running short online surgeries on Thursdays and Fridays, 10.30am to 11.30am, if you need help.

For bursary and childcare support, the Care to Learn and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund (defined vulnerable groups) claim forms are live now and close at 5pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Late claims will not be accepted; you would need to use the second window. Build in internal sign‑off time so your claim does not get stuck on the day.

If you manage buildings, DfE is testing a new ‘Manage your education estate’ service and inviting responsible bodies - dioceses, local authorities and FE colleges - to join an early user group. You’ll gain access over the coming months and can feed back through surveys, research calls and trying features so the service reflects real operational needs.

College principals and finance teams are also invited to help improve the Finance Record process. DfE is running one‑hour online interviews from Thursday 6 November to Wednesday 26 November 2025, with a short survey open until Friday 21 November 2025. Responses will be anonymised. If the FR slows you down each winter, this is a chance to shape a faster, clearer version.

There’s CPD to book this month. On Thursday 13 November 2025, there’s a morning accident investigation workshop for Risk Protection Arrangement members, a 1pm drop‑in on academies’ chart of accounts and automation, and a 2pm session on the Financial Benchmarking Insights Tool. On Wednesday 19 November, a session covers automating your accounts return, followed by an estates management standards webinar on Thursday 20 November. Share with your SLT and finance leads.