The Bexley Schools Forum is scheduled to convene on Monday 15 June 2026, with a key focus on the financial outturn for the 2025/26 academic year and the proposed financing schemes for the upcoming 2026/27 year. A significant portion of the agenda is dedicated to an update on the local SEND Reform Plan, reflecting ongoing national changes to special educational needs and disability provision.

Schools Budget 2025/26 Outturn

The forum will receive information regarding the final financial position of the Schools Budget for the 2025/26 academic year, as detailed in the Council's draft Statement of Accounts. This includes an overview of the accumulated deficit on the centrally managed element of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The report highlights that while maintained school balances have seen a slight reduction, the centrally-managed budgets incurred a significant in-year deficit of £10.099m, primarily due to variations in high needs expenditure. This has contributed to an overall DSG deficit carried forward of £22.495m.

Funding Following Excluded Pupils and Managed Moves

Consideration will be given to the council's approach to funding adjustments following permanent exclusions or managed moves. The current regulations stipulate that funding follows the pupil from the sixth school day after permanent exclusion. The report notes that an academy has requested a discussion on whether adjustments could be calculated on an academic year basis for academies and a financial year for maintained schools, which could create an exception if a pupil moves between sectors. The decision on this matter rests with the Local Authority.

2026/27 Scheme for Financing Schools

The forum will be asked to consider and potentially adopt the draft Scheme for Financing Schools for the 2026/27 academic year. This scheme outlines the financial relationship between the Local Authority and the maintained schools it oversees. According to the provided documents, there are no directed revisions from the Department for Education (DfE) this year, meaning the scheme is expected to remain largely unchanged from the previous year.

Update on the Local SEND Reform Plan

A substantial part of the meeting will focus on an update regarding Bexley's Local SEND Reform Plan. This plan is being developed in response to national SEND reforms aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The report outlines the requirements for Local SEND Reform Plans and the closure of the Safety Valve Programme, which provided funding to local authorities to address deficits in high needs funding. The plan is being developed collaboratively with various partners, including education providers, health services, and representatives of families and children. The assessment process involves evaluating the capability and maturity of current practices against seven key pillars, including co-production, system leadership, data utilisation, service delivery, partnerships, workforce skills, and resource management. The DfE has indicated that approval of these plans will unlock associated funding.

Bexley Schools Forum Constitution

The forum will be asked to approve and adopt an updated constitution for the Bexley Schools Forum. The constitution, last amended in June 2022, has been reviewed to ensure continued compliance with national guidance and to reflect the current structure of the education sector in Bexley. The proposed updates include clarifications to sections on proportionality, election processes, and membership terms, aiming to ensure effective governance and representation.

Draft Schedule of Meetings 2026/27

A draft schedule of meetings for the Bexley Schools Forum for the 2026/27 academic year is presented for review. This includes proposed dates and times for meetings throughout the year.