The Education, SEND & Inclusion Cabinet Panel of Hertfordshire Council is scheduled to convene on Friday, 30 January 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the outcomes of public consultations regarding the potential closure of two primary schools, as well as the council's budget and financial strategy for education, special educational needs, and inclusion services.

Proposal to Close Albury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to reviewing the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to close Albury Church of England Voluntary Aided (VA) Primary School on 31 August 2026. The report details that a substantial majority of the 356 responses received during the consultation opposed the closure. However, the council must balance these views with evidence regarding the school's educational sustainability and financial viability.

The report outlines numerous concerns raised by consultees, including the school's importance to the village community, its role in preserving rural education, the dedication of its staff, and the potential negative impact on children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). There are also arguments that smaller schools are better suited for some children, and that closure would disproportionately affect vulnerable pupils. Concerns have also been raised about increased travel distances, carbon emissions, and safeguarding risks, as well as the loss of faith provision locally. Some respondents believe that demand for school places will increase with new housing developments.

Officers' responses acknowledge the value of a village school to its community but highlight that decisions must balance emotional, educational, and financial considerations. The report details the school's declining pupil numbers, with a forecast deficit that is expected to increase. It also notes that the school has not been able to balance its budget for over five years, despite significant support. The report also addresses the financial implications, estimating the cost of closure at around £500,000. The panel is asked to recommend to Cabinet whether to authorise the publication of a statutory notice for closure, initiate fresh consultation on alternative suggestions, take alternative action, or take no further action.

Proposal to Close St Nicholas Elstree Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Similarly, the panel will consider the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to close St Nicholas Elstree Church of England (CofE) (VA) Primary School on 31 August 2026. The consultation received 473 responses, with the vast majority disagreeing with the proposal. The report notes that while the school's governing body did not provide a collective response, individual responses from each member were against the closure. Hertsmere Borough Council and the Diocese of St Albans' Board of Education have also formally objected to the closure.

Consultees have raised concerns about the school's vital role in the village community, its provision for pupils with SEND and English as an Additional Language (EAL), and its status as the only local CofE faith school. There are arguments that planned housing growth and increasing populations have not been fully considered, and that other alternatives to closure, such as converting to an academy or opening nursery provision, should be explored. Concerns have also been raised about the impact on other schools and the accuracy of data used by the council.

Officers' responses acknowledge the school's importance to the community but reiterate the need to balance emotional, educational, and financial considerations. The report details the school's low pupil numbers, its operating deficit, and the challenges of teaching across multiple year groups. It also addresses the financial implications, estimating the cost of closure at around £500,000. The panel is asked to recommend to Cabinet whether to authorise the publication of a statutory notice for closure, initiate fresh consultation on alternative suggestions, take alternative action, or take no further action.

Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (Education, SEND & Inclusion)

The panel will also review the budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) specifically for Education, SEND, and Inclusion. The report highlights that Hertfordshire faces unprecedented financial pressures, including a significant loss of government funding and rising demand and costs for services. Despite this, the council is proposing to invest an additional £108 million in key services, particularly children's services, SEND support, and adult social care.

The report details a proposed £1.2 billion budget for vital services and a £1.3 billion capital programme over the next four years. Over 70% of the council's spending is focused on supporting those most in need. To balance the budget, the council plans to increase income, deliver efficiencies, and focus on prevention and innovation. A 2.99% Council Tax increase, plus a 2% Adult Social Care precept, is proposed.

Within Children's Services, a significant portion of the budget is allocated to supporting children and young people, with specific investments planned for SEND support, including recruiting more Educational Psychologists and staff. There is also a substantial capital investment of £140 million proposed for expanding SEND facilities, aiming to create an additional 1,150 specialist places. The report also outlines proposed savings across departments, including those within Education, SEND and Inclusion.

Hertfordshire County Council's Admission Arrangements for 2027-28

The panel will consider proposed amendments to Hertfordshire County Council's admission arrangements for the 2027-28 academic year. Following a formal public consultation, the recommendations include reducing the Published Admission Number (PAN) at two community primary schools: Kimpton Primary School and Little Green Junior School. The report states these reductions are proposed due to falling pupil numbers and a desire to better match school capacity with local demand, thereby supporting the financial sustainability of these schools.

Conversely, it is proposed to increase the PAN at three rural community primary schools – Widford, Hunsdon, and Reed First School – for the 2026/27 academic year. These increases are linked to federations or are proposed to better meet expected demand and optimise class structures. The report notes that the council's existing schemes of coordination, PANs, and relevant areas will largely be retained, as they are considered to be working well.

SEND Improvement Update

An update on the progress of the Hertfordshire SEND Local Area Partnership will be provided, focusing on the outcomes of a recent monitoring inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October 2025. The inspection concluded that the Partnership has taken effective action in addressing its two Areas for Priority Action. The report highlights areas of progress, such as improved data quality and governance, and identifies areas for further development. Key achievements include a significant reduction in the number of children waiting for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNA), improved timeliness and quality of EHCPs, and a reduction in the complaint rate related to communication. However, challenges remain, including national reforms, funding pressures, increasing demand for services, and workforce recruitment and retention issues.

The Annual Report of the Virtual School Head

The panel will receive the Annual Report of Hertfordshire Virtual School for the academic year 2024-2025. This report summarises the work of the Virtual School in promoting the educational outcomes of Children Looked After (CLA), Children Previously Looked After (CPLA), Children in Kinship Care (CKC), and Children known to a Social Worker (CwSW). The report highlights achievements in attendance, attainment, and progress across all key stages, including strong outcomes for Early Years and Primary CLA, and improvements in Key Stage 4 attainment. It also details the progress of the post-16 service in supporting educational achievement and career pathways, and the work of the SEND team in securing appropriate educational settings for CLA with EHCPs. The report also outlines the Virtual School's strategic aims for 2025-2028, which are aligned with the council's wider strategic vision and the 'BEE' outcomes framework.

Response to Motion: Rural and Small Schools Resilience Strategy for Hertfordshire

Finally, the panel will consider a motion referred by the County Council regarding the creation of a 'Rural and Small Schools Resilience Strategy for Hertfordshire'. The motion calls for officers to provide clear advice and guidance to headteachers and governors on improving school resilience, identify schools at risk of closure and implement support measures, and provide confidential briefings to County Councillors on demographic challenges and at-risk schools. The report acknowledges the challenges faced by small and rural schools due to declining birth rates and falling rolls, which impact funding and the ability to provide a strong educational offer. It outlines the council's existing comprehensive strategic approach to supporting these schools, including engagement with school leaders, financial sustainability support, and promoting formal and informal partnerships like federations. The report states that officers are happy to provide a briefing to County Councillors and that individual members are already consulted on schools within their divisions considered 'at risk'. It also notes that school closures are a last resort, only considered after extensive analysis and previous intervention. The report details the council's strategic approach to managing pupil numbers and how this relates to the motion, including PAN reductions and area reviews.