Update: Post-16 level 3 and below withdrawal of funding approval from qualifications with low and no publicly funded enrolments

First Cycle

In February 2020, we shared the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA’s) plans to remove funding approval from qualifications with low and no enrolments. This included potentially removing funding approval for 16 to 19 study programmes, ESFA funded adult education budget (AEB) including legal entitlements and local flexibility, advanced learner loans and European social fund (ESF) for qualifications that fell into their specific criteria.

Following the unprecedented Covid-19 circumstances, we further updated you regarding the revised timelines the ESFA set out for the first cycle which included the following updates:

  • Qualifications on the “no enrolment” list – The ESFA extended the deadline for qualifications listed under this category and following any appeals, the final list of qualifications would have their public funding removed from 31st July 2021.
  • Qualifications on the “low enrolment” list – The ESFA suspended this process and advised that any qualifications listed would retain their funding approvals for 2021/22. They advised that they would be relaunching this notification process in the Autumn within the second cycle and an updated list of qualifications would be released which would potentially have funding removed from August 2022. 

Following the revised timelines, the ESFA released the final “no enrolment” list to Awarding Organisations in early December 2020 which included 9 Ascentis qualifications. These qualifications have had no publicly funded enrolments since 2017/18 and will therefore have their funding approval removed from 1st August 2021.

Second Cycle

In mid-December 2020, the ESFA released the second cycle of qualifications at level 3 and below which have low or no publicly funded enrolments and which are in scope to have funding approval withdrawn for new starts from 1 August 2022. 

  • Qualifications on the “no enrolment” list – The ESFA defined a qualification with no publicly funded enrolments as one which has been approved and operational for three years and has had zero publicly funded enrolments in each of the three funding years. There are 12 qualifications listed for Ascentis on this list that will potentially have public funding removed from 1st August 2022.
  • Qualifications on the “low enrolment” list – The ESFA defined a qualification with low publicly funded enrolments as one which has been approved and operational for three years and has had between zero and 99 publicly funded enrolments in each of the three funding years (but not zero in all three years). There are 133 qualifications listed for Ascentis on this list that will potentially have public funding removed from 1st August 2022.

The ESFA confirmed to Awarding Organisations that the process to make a request to retain public funding was available again for the second cycle with a deadline of 5th March 2021. This included where removal of public funding could have a significant adverse impact on a specific group of students, provider, a subject or occupational sector or a geographical area. Ascentis contacted centres regarding collating evidence to support the requests to appeal qualifications to retain public funding by this deadline. Ascentis have received confirmation of the qualifications that the ESFA have agreed to continue to publicly fund for funding year 2022-2023. Please see the updated list here

Following this, the ESFA advised Awarding Organisations that there was a further appeal process to make a request to retain public funding within two weeks from receipt of their email. Ascentis submitted further appeals after considering the guidance and contacted centres appropriately for any evidence needed. Ascentis received the final decision from the ESFA regarding these second appeals and have now advised centres of the outcome.

Ascentis would like to confirm that all qualifications listed on the final ESFA list will continue to be publicly funded for next academic year August 2021-July 2022.

If you would like to talk to us about any of the qualifications listed or if you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Previous article Next article

Watch Our Client Videos

Ascentis helps change the lives of over 170,000 learners each year. Hear about why our staff love working for us, and why our customers love working with us.

See all

Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service Speaking about Ascentis English & Maths Stepping Stones

Ascentis has a fantastic suite of English and Maths Stepping Stones qualifications which enable learners to focus on specific skills, build their confidence and progress onto further learning. This testimonial video features Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service who outline the benefits to them and their learners of using these qualifications.

Watch Video

The City of Liverpool College Speaking about Ascentis Access to Higher Education

Access to HE with Ascentis - We Make a Difference. Watch our Testimonial and hear how it makes a difference to learners and the opportunities it brings.

Watch Video

Best Practice People Speaking about Ascentis Short Online Qualifications

The Ascentis Short Online Qualifications are delivered in many centres across the UK and help to support learners’ Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare. Listen to Ascentis Customer, Best Practice People talk about how effective the Ascentis Short Online Qualifications are and how they successfully aid their NEET learners, improving skills and confidence in turn helping them secure employment.

Watch Video

Join hundreds of happy centres nationwide

Arrange a meeting

What our happy customers say

“We are very pleased that we made the move to Ascentis for all our ESOL exams. The exams are appropriate for our learners, and lecturers find the marking manageable. As an organisation, Ascentis is a pleasure to work with. Our queries are always dealt with quickly and we are extremely well supported by our verifier.”

Waltham Forest

“We have thoroughly enjoyed our first year with Ascentis. There has been support of a high quality throughout the academic year. Support has been provided through a variety of roles including the quality managers, lead EQA’s and subject moderators.”

Bradford College

“We have been delighted with the impact Ascentis Extended Awards in Mathematical Skills (Stepping Stones) have had on our student’s progression towards their functional skills mathematics as well as preparing them for the completion of their GCSE. It has taught them the essential skills in mathematics which enabled them to deal with the practical problems and challenges of life – at home, in education and at work. These skills are valued by employers and further education, and are a platform on which to build other employability skills. We are also very impressed with the level of service and commitment shown by the staff of Ascentis, they are always available to help whenever help is needed.”

Brent Start

“The transparency and support of Ascentis has been refreshing. Our moderation process has been a pleasure and developmental feedback has always been welcomed.”

Kensington & Chelsea College

9th Apr 2024

Ascentis Events

  • AELP
  • CPD Certified
  • FAB
  • Cyber Essentials
  • Natecla
  • Access to Higher Education
  • The Parliamentary Review
  • West Yorkshire Learning Providers
Close
Ascentis customers please login to view full specifications, tracking sheets, sample papers, customer policies and key documents.

Qualifications

Specification Overviews

Key Documents