The Schools Forum of Kingston upon Thames Council is scheduled to convene on Monday 26 January 2026 to discuss financial updates, budget proposals for the upcoming academic year, and progress on the SEND Futures Plan. The meeting will also address consultation decisions for the 2026/27 academic year.

2025/26 Finance Update

The forum will receive an update on the financial position for the 2025/26 academic year. This includes information on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation and its application to the Schools Budget. A projected outturn position for the financial year will also be presented, detailing anticipated spending across various blocks, including the Schools Block, Central School Services Block, Early Years Block, and High Needs Block. The report highlights a projected overspend of £12.760m in the High Needs Block, largely attributed to an increase in Education, Health and Care (EHCP) plans.

2026/27 Budget and Early Years Consultation

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to the proposed budget for the 2026/27 academic year. This includes an update on the indicative allocation for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) across its four blocks: Schools Block, Central School Services Block, High Needs Block, and Early Years Block. The forum will be asked to note these allocations and consider proposed changes to the Central School Services Block budgets.

A key element of this agenda item is the consultation regarding the Early Years Block. The forum will be asked to agree on central early years items and make recommendations for the Early Years Funding Formula. This follows an invitation to comment from the early years sector. The report details proposed hourly funding rates for three and four-year-olds, two-year-olds, and children under two, alongside proposed budgets for central early years services. The Early Years Pupil Premium and Disability Access Fund are also outlined.

2026/27 Consultation Decisions

This agenda item focuses on the process for consultations related to the 2026/27 academic year. The forum will be asked to agree on the dates for these consultations, the information that will be included, and the principles for voting. Three consultations are proposed: one in September covering de-delegation, block transfers, and Central School Services Block items; a second in October for funding formula decisions such as the MFG, Falling Rolls, Growth Fund, and School Block transfers; and a third in January specifically for Early Years rates and budgets. The report also seeks agreement on how votes will be cast, considering options such as one vote per school, one vote per academy trust, or votes weighted by pupil numbers.

SEND Futures Plan Update

The forum will receive an update on the implementation of Kingston's SEND Futures Plan, a strategic plan aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25 years. This includes an update on Kingston's performance against its Safety Valve Agreement with the Department for Education, which provides additional SEND funding subject to the delivery of an agreed action plan. The report details progress across various workstreams, including early assessment and intervention, the Local Offer, and assessment and planning. It highlights an increase in the number of EHCPs and requests for assessments, as well as progress on initiatives like the Kingston Cluster Pilot and the development of a SEND Youth Council. Areas of concern include rising wait times for autism assessments and the search for suitable sites for a post-16 SEND campus.

The meeting will also include a review of the 2025/26 financial year's projected DSG outturn, with a particular focus on the High Needs Block, which shows a significant projected overspend. The forum will also be informed of the dates for future meetings.