Green Plans Hit as Low-Carbon Fund Axed & Language Pilot Faces Funding Cut

Today's essential update for UK school leaders covers the government's decision to axe a key fund supporting schools' decarbonisation efforts, and news regarding the extension and funding of an important early language support pilot.

Key Briefings Inside:

1. £80 Million Low-Carbon Skills Fund Axed, Jeopardising School Green Plans: We report on the government's quiet decision to ditch the Low-Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) this year. This fund has provided over £80 million since 2020, with nearly £20 million going directly to schools, to help them pay for expert advice needed to develop applications for the multi-billion-pound Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). Experts like academy funding consultant Tim Warneford warn this will leave cash-strapped schools unable to afford PSDS bids, potentially stalling decarbonisation progress and shifting upfront investment burdens onto institutions. Learn about concerns that schools might now create "poorly scoped" plans, leading to underperformance or cost overruns. This comes despite DfE targets for schools to implement climate action plans this year and aim for net zero by 2050. An energy department spokesperson stated LCSF funding was refocused due to "overlapping support". Analyse the significant impact on schools' ability to meet sustainability goals.

   Keywords: Low Carbon Skills Fund LCSF axed, school decarbonisation funding UK, Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme PSDS, climate action plans schools, DfE net zero target education, Tim Warneford school funding, school green initiatives, educational building emissions.

   
   

2. Early Language Support Pilot (ELSEC) Extended, But With Reduced Funding: Explore the 12-month extension of the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) pilot programme, which aims to identify speech and language needs in children under 11. Understand its function: deploying specialist teams (SALTAs) into primary and early years settings to spot delays and train staff. The pilot has already supported over 20,000 pupils and 3,000 staff. Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell hailed ELSEC as paving the way for a "reformed SEND system" focused on early intervention. However, the funding for the extension period totals £3.4 million (with £2.2m from DfE), reduced from the previous £4.4 million annual joint DfE/NHS funding. Despite this, officials hope to reach an additional 20,000 children. Analyse what this means for schools involved and the broader SEND reform agenda.

   Keywords: Early Language Support Every Child ELSEC pilot, speech and language funding schools, SEND reform UK, early intervention education, Catherine McKinnell DfE, NHS England education funding, EHCP reform, developmental delays children.