HCSS Budget Modelling Software V7 2013 FAQ’s (April 2013)

Frequently Asked Questions for HCSS

These FAQ’s complement the additional guidance issued alongside the HCSS download patch to update S251 data and funding figures.

  • How do I receive the patch to update the software?

Your HCSS software should automatically detect when the update is available and prompt you to update. However, this may not happen for all schools. If you have not yet received the update, you should click on Help > Check for Updates to find information on any available updates. If you cannot check for updates, you may need to set up your Proxy Server Settings. To do this click on File > System Settings > Updates > Connect using a Proxy Server, and then enter your school’s proxy server settings. You should then be able to access any available updates by clicking on Help > Check for Updates.

  • Where are my October 2012 pupil numbers in the software?

Due to the changes to Primary and Secondary school budget statements for 2013/14, the software has not been populated with any numbers this year, except for nursery pupil numbers. The software could have been populated with the total R-Y6 numbers, or KS3 and KS4 numbers to replicate the data in your budget statements, but this would not have given schools the flexibility to enter future year’s pupil numbers.

Please follow steps 1) and 2) of the guidance notes to populate the correct pupil numbers; this will ensure that the funding for “Factor 1) Basic Amount Per Pupil” is correct.

  • Where is Pupil Premium funding shown in HCSS?

Pupil Premium funding is shown in the “Non Section 251 Income” part of the software; click on the I05 tab to see the pre-populated figure which matches Pupil Premium allocations within the S251 Budget Statements. You can enter an adjustment to I05 funding, e.g. for Children who are Looked After (not included in S251 Budget Statements), by entering funding on a new line on the I05 page. Please click here for further information on the Pupil Premium available on the DfE website.

  • Why is the Pupil Premium funding figure for 2013/14 only “estimated” in HCSS?

Pupil Premium funding is only estimated in S251 Budget Statements so this is reflected in the software. The DfE bases Pupil Premium funding allocations on information from the January 2013 Census and confirm final allocations of Pupil Premium after publication of S251 Budget Statements. You can enter an adjustment to I05 funding for final allocations, once these have been confirmed by the DfE, by entering the difference in funding on a new line on the I05 page.

Please click here for further information on the Pupil Premium available on the DfE website.Please note that the illustrative figures on the DfE website use January 2012 Ever 6 FSM numbers updated for £900 per eligible pupil. The figure in your S251 Budget Statementhas been calculated using January 2012 Ever 6 FSM % x January 2013 pupil numbers, updated for £900 per eligible pupil, so should be a more accurate estimate than the illustrative DfE figures.

  • How much will my Pupil Premium funding be in future years?

It is difficult to predict future years Pupil Premium funding, as it depends on the number of “Ever 6 FSM” pupils as well as the amount per FSM pupil, set by the DfE. Until any further announcements from the DfE, you could estimate future years Pupil Premium funding on the same value as for 2013/14, so based on £900 per FSM-eligible pupil. The assumption is, however, that the value per FSM-eligible pupil will increase in 2014/15 to £1,200, although this is yet to be confirmed by the DfE. There is currently no information on the Pupil Premium from April 2015. Please click here for further information on the Pupil Premium available on the DfE website.

  • Where should I record “Additional Grants for Schools” funding that has been confirmed by the DfE for 2013/14 and future years?

“Additional Grants for Schools” should be coded to I18 income in 2013/14; this was a new CFR code in 2012/13. Schools should enter any confirmed Additional Grants for Schools funding into a line in the “Non Section 251 Income” I14 page; there are several lines already set up. If further lines are needed, then you should enter “I18” into the first reference box in a new line and enter the relevant figures. The line will turn green, indicating it's an I18 budget row. This will then display as I18 on the CFR report.

Please click here to see what should be included in I18 funding (scroll to the bottom of the DfE’s web page to view I18).