Accessibility statement for Related Party Transactions (RPT)

This website is run by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, which means you should be able to:

• change colours, contrast levels and fonts
• zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
• navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver

We've also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

• some pages may be difficult to navigate by keyboard only users

Feedback and contact information

You can email ESFA.GOVUK-enquiries@education.gov.uk if you need to contact us about this accessibility statement, for example:

• to request information on this website in a different format – we'll consider your request and get back to you in 2 working days


• to report an accessibility problem not listed on this page

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the 'accessibility regulations'). If you are not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website's accessibility

The Department for Education is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the 'non-compliances' are listed under 'Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations'.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

• all pages have the same title so do not describe the specific purpose or content of each page - this fails WCAG 2.2A 2.4.2 (navigable – page titled)


• the web pages cannot be navigated in more than one way - this fails WCAG 2.2AA 2.4.5 (navigable – multiple ways)

What we are doing to improve accessibility

We are working on improvements so by January 2025:

• the site is easier to navigate by users of assistive technology

We will continue to:

• test that enhancements or changes made to the web application comply with the WCAG 2.2AA standard


• publish an updated accessibility statement when improvements to the accessibility of the website are made


• perform an annual accessibility audit and publish an updated accessibility statement.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 18 February 2022. It was last reviewed on 2 February 2024.

This website was last tested in January 2024. The test was carried out by the DfE.

Testing was carried out using:

• Dragon NaturallySpeaking (V15.4), which is a voice recognition (speech to text) program used by people who may have upper limb disorders or specific problems using their hands - it requires minimal user interface from a mouse or keyboard


• JAWS (2021), which is a screen reader (text to speech) program developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse - JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications


• NVDA (2021), which is a screen reader for users with sight loss or visual impairments


• Zoomtext (2021), which is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users - it enlarges and enhances everything on screen, echoes typing and essential program activity, and reads screen content

Testing was carried out considering the following disabilities:

• keyboard only user – a user who has a motor impairment that limits them to using only a keyboard to operate a computer
• voice activation user - a user who has a motor impairment that limits them to using only voice commands to operate a computer via assistive technology such as a microphone and dictation software
• screen reader user - a user who has a visual impairment that limits them to using accessibility software such as a screen reader to operate a computer via keyboard control and feedback via audible descriptions of visual elements
• low vision user - a user who has a visual impairment that limits their access to content presented at 100% magnification and utilises system controls, browser controls or accessibility software to increase screen magnification
• deaf or hard of hearing user - a user who has a hearing impairment that limits their access to audio content
• learning difficulties user - a user who has a learning disability that limits their access to content that is presented in a way that requires a high level of literacy

Testing methodology and browser compatibility

Testing was undertaken:

• using 2 different screen reader packages as they often interact differently with a page
• using only keyboard commands and voice where applicable - a mouse or similar device was not used
• with consideration given to usability and neurodiversity
• in a structured way, often following a business process from beginning to end

Testing was undertaken with:

• the latest versions of Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari browsers
• Windows operating system