Management Information Sheet

Final deadline for Primary & Special Schools

As you are aware achievement of FMSiS is a statutory requirement and DCSF regulations require all schools to have met the Standard by 31^st March 2010 therefore the opportunity to defer to a more convenient date is no longer an option.

31^st March is still the final date for submitting the evidence for assessment. The arrangements that exist in Norfolk provide for all schools to receive the assessment service delivered by the Children's Services Finance department within the agreed timescales.

The resources available to carry out the assessments are limited and evidence submitted after the scheduled deadline will risk non-compliance with the regulations as it will not be possible to guarantee that the assessment process will be completed before the required FMSiS assurance certificate is returned to the DCSF.

If you know of any reasons which will prevent you from achieving FMSiS by this deadline, and have not already done so, please contact Judith Hall urgently to discuss your position.

Secondary Schools' Re-assessments

Please note that the same timescales apply to the secondary school re-assessments. There is less flexibility than in 2007 as the Chief Finance Officer's certificate has to be completed and returned to the DCSF three months earlier than in previous years.

When the re-assessment has confirmed that the school has maintained the required Standard, a new certificate will be provided by the DCSF. Successful secondary schools will also be able to use the FMSiS logo available on request from Judith Hall.

Primary & Special Schools' Re-assessments

A revised procedure will be published for Primary & Special School re-assessments, which should reduce the workload for schools and eliminate any ambiguity. It will take into account suggestions from schools, experience from the last three years' assessments and guidance notes from the DCSF. The schools due for renewal in March 2011 will receive reminder letters at the beginning of the summer term along with details of the re-assessment requirements. Dates for refresher workshops have been included in the 2010-11 financial training brochures which will be sent out this month. Cluster overviews are also available on request for schools and governors.