The Schools Forum meeting scheduled for Tuesday 2 June 2026 was set to address the financial health of Camden's schools, with a particular focus on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and its various blocks. Discussions were also planned around the High Needs Block (HNB) and the overall balances held by individual schools.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) 2025/26 Outturn and 2026/27 Funding Update

A key item on the agenda was the financial outturn for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2025/26 financial year and an update on the funding situation for 2026/27. The report indicated an overall overspend of £4.203m across the DSG blocks for 2025/26, a slight increase from the previous year's overspend of £3.413m. Despite this, the overall DSG reserve remained in surplus at £14.727m at the end of 2025/26. The report was scheduled to detail current pressures on school funding, including those arising from the national economic climate, conflicts, emergencies, and ongoing real terms funding constraints, as well as the latest update on the National Funding Formula (NFF). Measures taken by the Council, in conjunction with the Schools Forum, headteachers, and Camden Learning, to support schools in adapting to potential reductions in real terms funding were also to be outlined. The Forum was asked to note the 2025/26 outturn for all DSG blocks and to agree that any remaining reserve in the Schools and Central Schools Services block continue to be available to offset any Schools Block deficit arising from pressures on Camden school budgets following proposed or ongoing reorganisations. The Forum was also to note the current 2026/27 funding levels and future challenges, as well as current and proposed next steps in the transition towards a hard NFF.

High Needs Block (HNB): 2025/26 Outturn and 2026/27 Position

The meeting was also scheduled to review the outturn position for the High Needs Block (HNB) spend for 2025/26. The outturn was projected to be a deficit of £6.3 million, a slight reduction from the £7 million predicted at quarter 3, but continuing a trend of increasing spend. This represented a 3.3% reduction on the original quarter 1 projection of £8.45m. An update on the 2026/27 position was also to be provided, with an initial projected deficit of £10.7 million, assuming continued increases in spend. The report was to detail the main cost drivers for the increase in HNB spend, including the number of children requiring Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and Exceptional Needs Grants (ENGs). The Forum was asked to note the updated HNB projection for 2025/26 and the update on the 2026/27 HNB allocation.

School Balances 2025/26

An update on the final balances held by schools at the end of the 2025/26 financial year was also on the agenda. The overall school balances, which stood at £14.6m at the beginning of the financial year, had reduced by £8.071m, leaving a closing balance of £6.5m. This represented a larger reduction than the £5.784m reduction seen in the previous year. The number of schools closing with a deficit balance had increased from 12 schools at the end of 2024/25 to 16 schools at the end of 2025/26. The report was to include the Scheme for Financing Schools, which sets out the relationship between the Council and schools and provides the regulatory framework for headteachers and governors. The Education Department's programme of works to support schools in deficit was also to be discussed. The Forum was asked to note the content of the report and the total balances held at the end of the 2025-26 financial year, as well as the action taken to support schools in deficit and the monitoring cycle for 2026/27.

Schools Forum Work Programme and Action Tracker

Finally, the meeting was scheduled to review the Schools Forum work programme for 2025/26 and the draft work plan for the 2026/27 school year. An update on actions requested at previous meetings was also to be provided. The Forum was asked to note the Work Programme for 2025-26, the provisional Work Programme for 2026/27, and the Action Tracker. Future meeting dates for the 2026/27 academic year were also to be noted.