Two deadline reminders from the 16 September FE Update

The DfE’s Further Education Update published on 16 September 2026 contained two practical deadline changes worth noting.

FE workforce data collection closes Friday 25 September — no further extensions

If your setting hasn’t yet submitted its further education workforce data collection (FEWDC) return for 2025 to 2026, you have until Friday 25 September 2026. The DfE has confirmed there will be no further extensions.

The return is a mandatory statutory requirement for all eligible providers. The collection and guidance are unchanged from last year, so if you submitted previously, much of the information should carry over. DfE is running daily support sessions at 11am to 11.30am during the collection window — email DCT.BetaSupport@education.gov.uk to register.

If you need help, contact DfE via the Customer Help Portal.

Free school meals eligibility check deadline extended to 2 November

DfE has updated its further education free meals (FEFM) guidance to reflect the expansion of eligibility from the start of 2026-27. For settings recording eligibility through the autumn school census, the deadline for completing and recording eligibility checks has been extended from 1 October to 2 November 2026.

The extension applies to:

• rechecks for learners who received FSM support in 2025-26
• checks for new FSM applications

DfE notes that some management information systems may have automatically updated FSM status for learners who were receiving support last year — but this does not replace the eligibility recheck. Both the recheck and the new check must be completed and recorded.

The extended deadline is a one-off, designed to support the rollout of expanded eligibility and the new checking arrangements. Institutions should complete checks as early as possible rather than waiting for the deadline.

Sources: DfE Further Education Update — 16 September 2026