NASUWT Representatives

34 www.nasuwt.org.ukIn December 2012, EFA confirmed Dedicated Schools Grant(DSG) allocations for 2013/14 (prior to recoupment of fundingfor academies).In January 2013, LAs should have submitted final data forSchools Budget pro forma.From January to March 2013, LAs should confirm budgets fortheir maintained schools. The EFA should have confirmedacademy budgets.NB. Academy budgets run from September toSeptember, not in the financial year as maintainedschools budgets do. Please see the end of this sectionfor further details.Therefore, for schools in preparation for the financial year2013/14, the budgeting cycle should operate as follows:APRILNew financial year. Review actual expenditure. Finalise andsubmit budget to LA.JUNE/JULYReconcile actual expenditure. Confirm September staffingchanges and amend planned budget.OCTOBER/NOVEMBERSet educational objectives for next financial and academic year.Annual report to parents (including financial statement forprevious year). Provide the LA with the information required forthem to complete the provisional Schools Budget pro forma tothe EFA.DECEMBER AND JANUARYEFA confirms DSG allocations for 2013/14 (see above). Schoolsprovide data updates to the LA.JANUARYLAs should submit final data for Schools Budget pro forma.JANUARY to MARCHReceive actual budget share. Review plans and allocate budget.EFA confirms academy budgets.Points to note:This process illustrates the budget cycle in a typical maintainedschool. The key stages at which you should take a particularinterest are indicated.The process begins around January/February/March eachyear when the governing body receives from the LA apreliminary estimate of the money it is likely to receive for thefollowing financial year (known as the school’s ‘budget share’).At this stage, the governors will begin to make decisions abouthow the ‘cake’ will be divided and identify any potentialproblems. The Schools Forum may make adjustments to the LAFor advice and help ˚ Local Association ˚ Regional Centre ˚ National Executive