DfE update 7 January 2026: funding deadlines in England

The Department for Education has published its 7 January 2026 update for academies, further education providers and local authorities. It sets out what needs doing this term on finance, funding claims and practical support. We’ve translated the essentials into plain English so you can plan your week with confidence. (gov.uk)

First, a nudge for academy trusts: the annual financial statements deadline was Wednesday 31 December 2025. If you missed it, submit immediately and use DfE’s guidance for help. Late filing can ripple into audit queries and cashflow stress, so treat this as a priority phone call rather than a back-burner task. (gov.uk)

If your team handles learner support, there’s a change to how you access funding for the Care to Learn scheme and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund (defined vulnerable groups). The second claim window is open now for new claims you didn’t make in the first window; you can’t adjust earlier submissions until the third window later in the year. The deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 11 February 2026 and fresh guidance is available to walk you through the form. (gov.uk)

Colleges and local authorities working with advanced learner loans should note the timetable too. The first‑time request form for obtaining a loans contract is live, with completed forms due by 5pm on Monday 19 January 2026 via the Customer Help Portal. If you’re new to this process, read the 2025 to 2026 funding rules before you press send. (gov.uk)

It helps to remember what Care to Learn is for when you’re advising students and pastoral teams. The scheme funds childcare so young parents aged under 20 can stay in education after the birth of a child. Flag this early with tutors and safeguarding leads, and make sure students know where to get help completing the claim. (gov.uk)

On squeezing more out of every pound, DfE’s Maximising value for pupils programme pulls together practical tools you can use this term. Expect updated financial benchmarking, a banking comparison tool to improve interest on reserves, free procurement training and access to school resource management adviser support. Build a short review slot into SLT time to check what savings could be redirected to teaching and student support. (gov.uk)

For children’s services and finance teams, there’s an early years development you’ll want to plan for. From the 2026 to 2027 financial year, DfE will move to a termly census for all early years entitlements to improve funding accuracy. To help with budget‑setting, an allocation calculation tool is now available; it models part‑time equivalent forecasts and shows how in‑year Dedicated Schools Grant adjustments change after each census. The December APT webinar recording and slides are also online if you handle those returns. (gov.uk)

There’s free CPD to book. RPA‑member schools can join a Contract Works workshop on Thursday 15 January 2026, 10am to midday. Business managers and SLT can also sign up for spring term webinars and ‘power hours’ covering energy buying, VAT (HMRC), banking and digital planning. These sessions are designed to be quick wins for busy teams-get them in the diary now. (gov.uk)

Careers leads: National Apprenticeship Week 2026 runs from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 February. Use the official site for activity ideas and the event calendar, and brief tutors so students and families know how to get involved. A well‑timed assembly or employer drop‑in can turn interest into applications. (gov.uk)

Before you close this tab, sketch a two‑week plan: file any late accounts, line up bursary/C2L claims ahead of the 11 February deadline, submit your advanced learner loans request by 19 January, review the value‑for‑pupils tools, and book the CPD you actually need. That way, the DfE’s guidance becomes a timetable you control, not another unread update. (gov.uk)