Care to Learn and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund defined vulnerable groups funding claim forms are now live, with submissions due by 5pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026. Late claims will not be accepted in that window and must instead be submitted during the second claims window in January 2027. An academies planning calendar for the 2026 to 2027 academic year has also been published, covering key dates for payments, publications and academy actions. Revised 16 to 19 allocation statements, reflecting additional funding announced in July 2026, are available in Document exchange. Increases cover national funding rates, disadvantage funding rates components 2 and 3, the post-16 National Insurance contributions grant and free meals in further education. Teachers' pension scheme employer contribution rates are due to fall from 28.6% to 17.6% from April 2027, reducing related grant funding for eligible further education providers. An October 2026 manual adjustment will correct an earlier reduction, so the funding cut will apply only to the April 2027 payment. The review of apprenticeship subcontracting rules is taking longer than planned, with sector engagement expected toward the end of 2026, wider comments in early 2027 and resulting changes taking effect from August 2027. Schools must submit their 2025 to 2026 PE and sport premium expenditure reports by 5pm on Wednesday 30 September 2026. The reporting return is shorter than in previous years, but non-compliance may lead the Secretary of State to recover some or all of the grant. Five related webinars and workshops are scheduled between 10 and 24 September 2026.