This week I report on the DfE’s consultation on amendments to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and the announcement that the academy conversion support grant will end on 1 January next year.

Teachers’ Pension Scheme consultation launched
The DfE has launched a consultation on amendments to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), proposing the first rise in employee contributions since 2015. The DfE states, however, that the lowest-paid staff would not see their contributions rise. The consultation closes on 23 January 2025.

Academy conversion grant scrapped
Earlier this month the Government announced that the academy conversion support grant, which gives schools up to £25k for converting, will end on 1 January 2025. It has also announced that it has no plans to continue to run its trust capacity and trust establishment and growth funds.

It has been reported that this is part of how the government is seeking to rationalise the dual school system in England. Its upcoming children’s wellbeing bill will seek to bring the two parts of the sector closer together, requiring academies to follow the national curriculum and cooperate with councils on admissions and pupil place planning.