The Schools Forum of Hounslow Council met on Monday 23 February 2026 to discuss the financial outlook for schools, including the Early Years and High Needs budgets for the upcoming academic year. The meeting also reviewed updates on the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Programme and the council's forward plan.

Finance Update

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive an update on the council's finances, covering the Q3 Financial Monitoring for the 2025/26 academic year. This update was also intended to include information on the 2026/27 APT (Actual Performance Tracker) and the Fair Funding Settlement for 2026/27.

Early Years Budget and Hourly Rates 2026/27

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Early Years budget and proposed hourly rates for 2026/27. The report pack outlined two options for hourly rates for under 2-year-olds, 2-year-olds, and 3- and 4-year-olds, along with a deprivation supplement. The proposals followed a consultation with early years providers and aimed to address statutory requirements and cost pressures. The report also detailed the proposed Early Years budget, including allocations for the Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund and a contingency budget.

High Needs Budget 2026/27

The provisional High Needs budget for 2026/27 was also a key item for discussion. The report indicated a projected budget requirement of £83.37 million against an available funding of £79.93 million, resulting in an in-year deficit. The report detailed the assumptions and risks associated with this budget, outlining the breakdown of costs for school-based provision, further education, alternative provision, and SEND support services. It highlighted that the increase in school-based provision was largely due to the technical roll-in of the Core Schools Budget Grant, alongside projected placement numbers and inflationary pressures.

SEND & Alternative Provision Improvement Programme Update

An update was scheduled on the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Programme. This programme is designed to enhance support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those requiring alternative educational pathways.

Forward Plan

The Schools Forum was also set to review the Forward Plan, which outlines future meeting topics and formats. This included discussions on the format, length, and number of future meetings, as well as a Head Teacher Briefing.

Any Other Business

Under Any Other Business, the reconsideration of the criteria for the Falling Rolls Fund for 2027/28 was scheduled for discussion. The Falling Rolls Fund is intended to provide financial support to schools experiencing a decline in pupil numbers.