16th October - T Levels Newsletter

Thank you to everyone who has already shared their stories for T Levels Week!

The number of posts so far has been absolutely fantastic, and it's been inspiring to see the innovative and creative ways you've been celebrating. Your stories are a brilliant showcase of the amazing students, dedicated teachers, and supportive employers involved in T Levels.

Please keep the momentum going by using #TLevelsWeek and continue posting today and tomorrow to help us celebrate even more of the incredible work happening across the country!

Employer Support Fund

 As you should be aware, the second claims window for the Employer Support Fund (ESF) is now open. Providers can submit claims for eligible employer costs related to T Level industry placements that began between 23 April and 30 November 2025.

 We’ve seen lower than expected utilisation of the fund so far, and we strongly encourage providers to make full use of their allocations to support employers and maximise the impact of industry placements.

For claims submitted before this deadline:

• Colleges, LAs, and Maintained Sixth Forms will be paid on 18th December
• Academies, Free/Independent Schools, Special Schools, Studio Schools, and UTCs will be paid on 2nd January

In case you missed the webinar held on Wednesday 17th September, it will be made available on the Online Claims Tool Guidance page.

• Guidance on uploading claims to the Online Claims Tool can be found here.
• Guidance on submitting staff time receipts can be found here.
• Guidance on the Employer Support Fund and a link to the employer declaration form can be found here.
• Engagement materials for working with employers can be found here.

October 2025 T Level data collection – for all T Level providers

The T Level data collection is now live and will close on Friday 17 October, and collects data from all T Level providers on T Level delivery intentions from the 2026 to 2027 academic year. 

You can access the collection here: T Level data collection. It is important for you to complete this data return accurately and by the closing date, which is 17 October, as this is a requirement to receive a revenue funding adjustment to reflect T Levels.

Watch our instructional video (youtube.com) (opens in new window) to help you complete your return. 

If you have decided not to deliver T Levels in the 2026 to 2027 academic year you can tell us via this collection. If you have an enquiry on how to complete the T Level data collection, please get in touch using the TLDC.ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk mailbox. 

 Record your T Level data accurately 

We use your autumn census or R04 data to calculate T Level under- and over-delivery and therefore your clawback or growth payments. You must record this data correctly because we will not accept business cases to change these numbers. Use the checklist in our guidance to help ensure accuracy.

Errors may lead to:

• unexpected funding recovery or reduced growth payments during reconciliation in early 2026
• reduced funding allocations for 2026 to 2027 because we use your carry-in data to produce next year’s allocations
• Return deadlines
• Autumn census: Wednesday 29 October 2025
• R04 return: Thursday 4 December 2025

T Level Foundation Year provider delivery support

Please do take full advantage of the comprehensive delivery support package offered by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and Professional Development training offer from the Education Training Foundation (ETF), available throughout the Academic Year 2025-2026. 

Check the AoC events brochure for events and provider peer networks which are now open for enrolment - please do book now to secure your place!  

Our refreshed TLFY Student and Parent Guide is available - A guide for students alongside other resources such as excellent case study videos of former TLFY students, who share their experience of the programme and how it has helped them achieve their T Level ambitions.

Reminder

Deadline for entering any missing or updated information ahead of certification

A reminder that 31 October is the deadline to ensure your 2023 learners records are up to date ahead of certification in early November.

Please also check your organisations address is correct in the service.

Find out more here

Subject-specific support for T Level educators

Part of the Education Training Foundation’s (ETF) T Level Professional Development offer, Route Specific Training provides subject-specific support to help you confidently deliver T Levels. Covering key aspects of assessment, legislation and planning, these courses equip you with the essential knowledge needed for effective teaching.

Browse the live online and on-demand courses available to book now! 

Bridge the gap with Industry Insights Workshops

Bridge the gap between classroom learning and the working environment with Industry Insights Workshops. These bite-sized, online events provide practical insights from employers, helping you bring current industry knowledge into your T Level teaching.

ETF have a range of exciting workshops coming up this term, visit their website to explore the topics available.

Join a T Level Network

Connect with other T Level colleagues across the country and build a supportive network where you can share best practice, innovative solutions and create impact as a community.

ETF’s T Level Networks cover a range of topics such as Assessment, Curriculum Impact, Industry Placements and Role and Route Specific Networks. Secure your space on an upcoming network today.

News from the AOs

Access City & Guilds' VTQ Communications Hub to read their VTQ newsletters: VTQ Communications | City & Guilds

Access City & Guilds' revised resources for 2025-2026, including key dates and new assessment guidance, through the T Levels Resource Hub: Resource Hub - T Levels | City & Guilds

Sign up for City & Guilds' T Levels Q&A sessions and face-to-face networks: Events and webinars - T Levels | City & Guilds

Eduqas:

Deliver the T Level in Building Services Engineering with confidence

Check out Eduqas’s digital resource packages – designed to complement teaching practices and made with learners in mind.