The Warwickshire Schools Forum met to discuss and vote on a proposal to transfer 0.5% of funding from the Schools Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) to the High Needs Block of the DSG to help address a growing deficit. The Forum voted to approve the transfer of 0.5% of Schools Block funding to the High Needs Block for 2026-27, but only if it would not affect the 'hard' National Funding Formula (NFF) allocations to schools. The Forum voted against the transfer of 0.5% of Schools Block funding to the High Needs Block for 2026-27 if it would reduce the 'hard' NFF allocations to schools.

Schools Funding Block 2026-27

The Schools Forum considered a report on the Schools Funding Block for 2026-27 and voted on recommendations regarding the transfer of funds to the High Needs Block.

Ross Caws, Head of SEND and Inclusion, explained that the Department for Education (DfE) had not yet published the NFF rates or indicative DSG budgets for 2026/27. He said that the recommendations in the report had been created to account for various scenarios depending on the nature of the NFF rates and indicative budgets, including whether these affected the 'hard' NFF allocations to schools.

The Forum was asked to vote on transferring 0.5% of the Schools Block DSG to the High Needs Block DSG.

• Recommendation 1: The Forum voted to approve the transfer of 0.5% of Schools Block funding to the High Needs Block for 2026-27, but only if sufficient funding was available without affecting the 'hard' NFF allocations to schools.
• Recommendation 2: The Forum voted against the transfer of 0.5% of Schools Block funding to the High Needs Block for 2026-27 if it would reduce the 'hard' NFF allocations to schools.

If the Forum did not agree to the transfer, Warwickshire Council could have applied to the Secretary of State for Education for a disapplication¹ to move the 0.5% of funding. The deadline for the disapplication was 17 November 2025, but it could be withdrawn before the Secretary of State made a decision in January 2026.

A consultation on the proposal to move 0.5% of funding had been carried out between 25 September and 23 October 2025. According to the consultation:

• 48% of respondents were in favour of the transfer of 0.5% if sufficient funding was available.
• 52% of respondents were opposed.
• 76% indicated that they would not support the transfer if it would reduce the 'hard' NFF allocations to schools.
• 78% of respondents felt that a different percentage transfer should not be proposed to the Schools Forum.

The consultation also noted the continued increase in the number of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)². The proposed 0.5% transfer, estimated to be £2.484 million based on 2025/26 allocations, was intended to fund places in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) resourced provisions, in line with the financial approach agreed through the Delivering Better Value (DBV) programme.

The report also included details of the total level of reserves held by schools and academies. Ross Caws clarified that there was no suggestion that schools could absorb the costs of the proposed transfer. He said that the proposed 0.5% transfer was intended to mitigate financial risk to the Council, which was why a lower transfer of 0.25% had not been put forward for 2026/27.

Several Forum members raised concerns about the financial pressures faced by schools and the potential impact of the proposed transfer.

Andy Mason said that many schools were operating with deficits and that any reduction to the Schools Funding Block would worsen these challenges. He noted that the proposed 0.5% transfer would not impact all schools equally, and that some, such as Stratford-upon-Avon School, would be affected more severely.

Jane Burrows highlighted details in the report relating to school reserve levels, noting that the DfE advises academy trusts to retain at least 5% of their General Annual Grant (GAG)³ revenue in reserves, and emphasised that this was a regulatory requirement.

Nick Williams drew attention to the needs of children who, while not assessed as requiring an EHCP, nonetheless required additional support. He noted that any reduction in Schools Block funding would make it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of this cohort.

Other Forum members highlighted the positive impact of resourced provisions on children with SEND.

Abi Huggins stated that St. Andrew's Benn CofE Primary School had introduced internal provisions for SEND which were essential to meeting the needs of the growing number of pupils requiring support.

Rebecca Harrison reported that a Resourced Provision had been established at Park Hill Junior School, resulting in significantly improved attendance and wellbeing among pupils accessing support.

Gillian Bowser reported that the introduction of a Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) at Stockingford Academy had provided valuable support to families and positively impacted the wider community. She said:

It had helped prevent exclusions and the associated financial costs, and children accessing the SRP had shown significant progress. She noted that the specialist expertise of SRP staff had also enhanced practices across the school. Additionally, work placements and part-time roles had created opportunities for individuals interested in the SEND sector to gain experience. A case study video produced by Stockingford Academy could be shared with the Forum for information.

Johnny Kyriacou, Director of Education, thanked members for their contributions, including the testimonials highlighting the transformative impact of SRPs on young people across Warwickshire. He said that High Needs Block funding was a shared resource, with schools collectively benefiting from their investment.

Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Education, acknowledged the financial pressures faced by schools and highlighted longstanding issues within the national funding system. He noted that these challenges had been a key factor in the Council's decision to declare a SEND funding emergency in September 2025.

Brian Smith, Children & Young People and Schools Funding Finance Manager, advised that the Council was a member of the f40 Group⁴ to advocate for fairer school and SEND funding from central government.