The Children's Overview and Scrutiny Committee are scheduled to discuss a range of topics at their meeting, including a petition regarding Bradstow School, the performance of Pupil Referral Units, school budget allocations, educational performance, and capital maintenance schemes for schools. The meeting will also cover the 2024/25 quarterly budget monitoring and the proposed budget for 2025/26.

Bradstow School Petition

The committee will consider a report about an e-petition with almost 1,700 signatures concerning Bradstow School, a community special school and children's home in Broadstairs, Kent.

The petition requests that Wandsworth Council:

1. stops the consultation on the proposed closure of Bradstow School; and
2. engages with Kent County Council, the school's leaders and governors, and other stakeholders to find solutions to:
   • settle outstanding debts owed to Wandsworth by other local authorities for pupils placed at Bradstow School; and
   • agree on a sustainable financial and operating model for the school, including the possibility of transferring oversight to Kent County Council.

According to the report pack, Wandsworth Council took over responsibility for Bradstow School in 1990 when the Inner London Education Authority was abolished. The report pack states that a large proportion of the pupils come from Kent.

The report pack notes that the council has already rejected an amendment to pause the closure process, citing a significant financial deficit at the school, which is said to be closer to £4 million when unpaid fees from Kent County Council are included.

The report pack also states that Wandsworth Council has been working on a proposal to transfer the school to Kent County Council for over three years, including offering the freehold of the property. However, Kent County Council has rejected this option, stating that the building is not fit for purpose and that they will find alternative educational provisions for the pupils if the closure decision is finalised.

The report pack states that legal action to recover unpaid fees from Kent County Council has been restarted.

Wandsworth Pupil Referral Units

The committee will receive a report providing an overview of the work and achievements of Wandsworth's three Pupil Referral Units (PRUs)%20are,who%20need%20alternative%20provision). The report pack highlights that school exclusion and suspension rates are low in the borough, and the PRUs play a key role in providing advice, outreach services and expertise to schools.

The three PRUs are:

• Victoria Drive Primary PRU
• Francis Barber secondary PRU
• Wandsworth Hospital and Home Tuition Service (WHHTS)

The report pack states that all three PRUs play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable pupils who are experiencing barriers to school attendance, have been excluded, or are at risk of permanent exclusion.

The report pack includes a series of infographics showcasing the work of the three PRUs, including an overview of each setting, reintegration and outcomes, outreach and multi-agency working, additional commissioned places, and challenges.

School Finance Budget Allocations

The committee will discuss a report on school finance budget allocations for 2025/26. The report pack notes that schools are facing challenges, particularly declining pupil numbers, and that it is critical to maximise resources to secure financial stability and quality of education.

The report pack states that the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) announced the details of the Local Authority Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) school funding settlement for 2025/26 in December 2024. Due to a fall in pupil numbers, the Schools Block element of the DSG has decreased by £0.387m (-0.2%) after accounting for additional grants awarded in 2024/25. The report pack notes that the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) in FY 2025/26 could be set at between 0% and -0.5%, and that the Schools Forum agreed -0.5%.

The report pack also states that the Department for Education (DfE) has instructed all councils to move at least 10% closer to the National Funding Formula (NFF) rates in FY 2025/26. The report pack notes that in Wandsworth, this moves funding away from primary schools towards secondary schools, and that the Wandsworth Schools Forum has elected to move 20% closer to the NFF.

Education Performance Report

The committee will consider the Education Performance Report for 2024-2025. The report pack states that Wandsworth is committed to delivering exceptional services for children and young people, and that education is central to this vision.

The report pack notes that Wandsworth's outcomes continue to be above both London and national averages in most headline indicators across key stages, from the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) to Key Stage 4, and that its position in the top quartile for national rankings has remained strong.

The report pack includes a series of infographics demonstrating performance and outcomes in Wandsworth across a number of education elements, including progress and attainment for 2024, priority areas, actions and impact, Ofsted inspection outcomes, and attendance, suspensions and post 16 participation.

The report pack identifies three areas of focus:

• Key Stage 5
• Disproportionality / Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion
• Disadvantaged

General Fund Capital Programme

The committee will discuss proposed additions to the General Fund Capital Programme of capital maintenance schemes to schools in 2025/26. The report pack states that it is proposed to add capital schemes to a total of £2.038m to the General Fund Capital Programme in 2025/26, met mainly by capital grant from the Department for Education School Condition Allocation (SCA), with the balance from schools so at no cost to the Council.

The report pack notes that the capital condition programme of £2.038m is funded from 2025/26 SCA circa £1.650m (subject to confirmation of the amount), £288,000 SCA (uncommitted) and school contributions circa £100,000 (10% of project cost up to a maximum of £20,000 per project).

The report pack also includes a list of school condition projects held in reserve, which would be brought into the capital programme should further funding become available or through value management of projects on the main list.

Quarterly Monitoring and Budget

The committee will discuss the 2024/25 quarterly monitoring for Q3 and the 2025/26 budget, including an annual review of charges. The report pack states that the committee is currently projecting a £0.315 million overspend position compared to a budget of £96.002 million. The report pack identifies that the main overspend areas are linked to rising complexity of need, continued growth in demand for children with special educational needs and disabilities¹, and a placements market unable to meet need and demand both locally and nationally.

As part of the annual review of the charges in place for chargeable services within the council, the report pack recommends that the present lettings charges and relevant income budgets are increased by 2.2% for the financial year 2025/26 and rounded to the nearest £1. It is proposed to increase Children's Services fees by 2.2%. If approved, the charges will be brought into effect on 1 April 2025.