Programme Delivery
Use of Funding
What can my school use Extended Schools funding for?
If you have received a funding allocation from DE this can be used for the full range of Extended Schools programmes and services up until 30 June 2023. This funding is provided so that schools and clusters can continue to deliver planned programmes and services up to 30 June 2023. Please contact your Community and Schools locality officer if you have any queries about Programme delivery.
Can I use my Extended Schools funding allocation to pay for summer provision e.g. Summer Schemes?
No. Without confirmation of further funding the programmes will end on 30 June 2023. The funding allocated is to fund programmes and services up to this date.
Can I use my 2023/24 funding allocation for resources?
Schools should continue to prioritise delivery of programmes and services that were planned to run until the end of the academic year. Procurement of resources can be included in this expenditure if this is clearly referenced in your 2023/24 action plan. Once you submit your 2023/24 action plan it will be reviewed by EA.
Clusters
Can I use my funding for cluster activities?
Yes. Each school will receive a cluster allocation therefore schools in a cluster should continue to deliver cluster programmes up to the end of June 2023. If your school is participating in the Irish Medium Cluster Programme your cluster will continue to be funded to provide activities up to 30th June 2023.
What if my cluster has committed to a third party for delivery of services?
The cluster should continue to honour any commitments given to a third party providers including community organisations to deliver services up to 30 June 2023. The cluster funding notified to you will be allocated to the lead school in your cluster.
The cluster budget for 2023/24 will be added to the Northern Ireland Extended Schools Information System under “My Cluster”. If you are in a Cluster please contact your lead school to discuss your cluster plans. EA can facilitate transfer of funding between cluster schools if required.
If you have any queries regarding your Cluster please contact your Community and Schools Locality Officer.
Programme Management
Annual Report : Do I still need to complete my Annual Report for 2022/23?
Yes – submission of an Annual Report is a DE requirement of the Extended Schools policy each year to account for the funding allocated to the school for the previous financial year.
If you are a Lead School in a cluster you will be required to submit a Cluster Annual Report for 2022/23. NIESIS closed on Tuesday 9 May at 4pm to Friday 12 May inc. to prepare for the 2023/24 financial year and has reopened on Monday 15 May for submission of 2022/23 Annual Reports and 2023/24 Action Plans.
If you need to contact EA regarding submission of your Annual Report contact your Community and Schools Locality Officer or email: extended_schools@eani.org.uk.
Action Plans : Do I submit action plans for the 23/24 funding allocation?
Yes. The 23/24 funding allocation will allow schools and clusters to continue to run programmes up to 30 June and the assumption is that the majority of these programmes will be a continuation of programmes for 2022/23.
NIESIS closed on Tuesday 9 May at 4pm to Friday 12 May inc. to prepare for the 2023/24 financial year and has reopened on Monday 15 May for submission of 2022/23 Annual Reports and 2023/24 Action Plans.
Your 2022/23 action plans have been copied over into 2023/24 in draft so for programmes continuing into the Summer Term you may only need to amend the finance details before submitting.
Procurement : What do I do if I have ordered resources or booked services that I can no longer afford to fund?
The DE allocation for your school will allow you to honour any procurement contracts you have entered into for the period up to 30 June. If you have any queries regarding procurement please contact: procurement@eani.org.uk
Programme Finance
Do I need to continue to keep a record of Extended Schools expenditure in 2023/24?
Yes – please continue to retain a record of your expenditure of your Extended Schools budget allocation up to 30 June 2023. If you have any queries regarding your Expenditure record please contact your Community and Schools Locality Officer.
Can I use this funding allocation beyond 30 June 2023?
No. The funding has been allocated by DE to ensure that your school/cluster can continue to deliver Extended Services up to the end of the academic year. The letter issued by DE on Wed 19 April confirms that the Programme will cease on the 30 June 2023, (unless further funding can be found).
Can I continue programmes beyond 30 June 2023?
The DE Extended Schools Programme ceases on 30 June 2023. Schools and clusters may decide to continue delivery of programmes and activities beyond the 30 June 2023. These programmes will need to be funded from alternative sources and should not be funded from the LMS budget.
When will my school or cluster receive Extended Schools allocation?
Allocations to schools and clusters will be made once 2023/24 action plans have been reviewed and progressed through Northern Ireland Extended Schools Information System.
Human Resources/Staffing
Separate guidance prepared by EA Human Resources will be issued to schools. If you require a copy of this guidance please contact your Community and Schools Locality Officer.