The Schools Forum of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Thursday 25 June 2026 to discuss school place planning, financial outturns for the previous academic year, and future budget setting. The forum also received updates on SEND reforms and the scheme for financing schools.

School Place Planning

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on school place planning, covering primary, secondary, and specialist provision. The report highlighted current and historical demand for places, current capacity, and future demand, alongside an overview of ongoing projects related to new provision.

For primary schools, the report indicated a decrease in in-borough applications for Reception places for September 2026 compared to the previous year, a trend observed since 2015. This decrease was noted even for oversubscribed schools, suggesting the impact of falling rolls. Overall occupancy across primary schools was reported at 82.9% against permanent Published Admission Numbers (PANs), with a significant number of vacancies across the borough, although some schools remained full or over capacity. The report detailed efforts to manage falling rolls, including temporary reductions in PANs and public consultations for permanent reductions. Sixteen schools were identified as a significant concern regarding long-term sustainability, with potential proposals ranging from permanent PAN reductions to amalgamation or closure.

In secondary schools, demand for Year 7 places had significantly increased between 2015 and 2026, with consistently high numbers of in-borough applicants. The report detailed strategies for managing demand, including offering additional places on National Offer Day with the expectation they would return to PAN by September. For September 2026, 60 unplaced children were noted on National Offer Day in the east of the borough. The report highlighted that secondary schools were generally full, with limited vacancies. The situation in the east of the borough was made more challenging by popularity with out-of-borough families and proximity to neighbouring boroughs. The proposed relocation of Livingstone Academy West London to Richmond was noted as cancelled due to a review of free school projects.

For specialist provision, the report detailed a significant growth in numbers of pupils on roll in state-funded special schools in the borough between 2012 and 2026. The proportion of in-borough pupils on roll in special schools had gradually increased, with over 70% now from within the borough. Demand for places at the three special schools was noted as extremely high. The report also outlined the existence of 14 specialist resource provisions (SRPs) in mainstream schools. Progress on the SEND Reform Plan was also to be discussed, with a focus on strengthening inclusion and identifying priorities for the next three years, including completing specialist provision projects and improving existing SRPs.

Future demand for places was forecast to include a further reduction in the Reception cohort, a reduction in the shortfall of Year 7 secondary school places with a surplus projected at the end of the decade, and an increase in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) requiring more specialist places. Housing development in Richmond, particularly in the east of the borough, was also considered for its potential pupil yield.

The report also provided an overview of new planned provision, including the cancellation of Livingstone Academy West London, and progress on Clarendon Satellite, Strathmore Satellite Centre, and London River Academy.

2025/26 Finance Outturn

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on the final Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation and its application to the Schools Budget in 2025/26, as well as the DSG outturn position for the financial year. The report detailed the DSG budget breakdown by application and recoupment, showing a total DSG allocation of £236.515m. The outturn position indicated a spend of £241.642m, representing an in-year overspend of £5.128m. The cumulative deficit at 31 March 2026 was £5.353m before allowing for potential High Needs Stability Grant.

The report provided a detailed breakdown of the Schools Block, Central School Services Block, Early Years Block, and High Needs Block outturns. The Schools Block showed a slight overspend of £0.037m, while the Central School Services Block overspent by £0.028m. The Early Years Block reported an underspend of £0.356m, attributed to lower than anticipated take-up of funded places. The High Needs Block showed a significant overspend of £5.419m, with main reasons including increased independent placements, personal budgets, SEND legal costs, and EHCP costs. The report also noted that nine schools were in deficit at the end of March 2026, compared to seven the previous year.

2026/27 Finance Update and Preparation for 2027/28 Budget Setting

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on the current DSG allocation and its application to the Schools Budget in 2026/27, the projected DSG outturn for 2026/27, and the proposed budget setting process for 2027/28. The report detailed the 2026/27 DSG budget, with a total allocation of £247.307m. The projected spend for 2026/27 was £258.058m, indicating a projected shortfall of £10.751m. The introduction of a new High Needs Stability Grant to write off 90% of DSG deficits as at 31 March 2026 was highlighted, with Richmond expecting to receive around £7 million. The cumulative deficit was projected to be £9.025 million after this grant.

The report provided projected spending for the Schools Block, Central School Services Block, Early Years Block, and High Needs Block. The Schools Block was projected to be on budget, while the Central School Services Block was projected to be overspent by £20k. The Early Years Block was projected to be on budget, with a significant shift in the funding methodology from a single January headcount to a termly census approach. The High Needs Block showed a projected overspend of £10.731m, including an allowance for future need.

A timetable for the 2027/28 budget setting process was also presented, outlining key actions and dates from June 2026 through to February 2027. The financial implications of the SEND Reforms Plan were discussed, including eligibility for the High Needs Stability Grant and the potential write-off of accumulated SEND deficits.

SEND Reforms

The forum was scheduled to receive a report on the national SEND Reforms, following a presentation to the Education and Children's Services Committee. The report detailed the government's White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, and the consultation on reforming the system of support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). All local areas were required to submit a Local Area SEND Reform Plan by 19 June 2026 as a condition for receiving the High Needs Stability Grant.

The report outlined the proposed reforms, including a layered model of support, an Inclusive Mainstream Fund, digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs), and the reconfiguration of Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs) into Specialist Inclusion Bases. The Experts at Hand offer, locally named Specialist Expertise at Hand (SEAH), was detailed as a key component for providing rapid advice and reducing the need for escalation. Specialist Provision Packages for children with the most complex needs were also described.

The report also covered future funding and accountability, including the government's commitment to investing £9.5 billion in SEND reform over three to four years. The High Needs Stability Grant, which would write off 90% of accumulated local SEND deficits, was discussed, along with the conditions for its receipt. The report highlighted the central role of local authorities in planning and commissioning SEND provision and the revision of the SEND Code of Practice. The transition to the new system was planned to span a decade, with legislation expected from September 2029.

The report also included the draft Local Area SEND Reform Plan, outlining the local vision, strategy, roadmap, and governance structures for implementing the reforms. Key risks and mitigations were identified, including challenges related to ICB restructuring, workforce recruitment, financial stability, and stakeholder engagement. Dependencies on wider national and local reforms, such as NHS reforms, Children's Social Care reforms, and the Best Start in Life strategy, were also detailed.

Update High Needs Block Sub Group Terms of Reference

The forum was scheduled to note the updated Terms of Reference for the High Needs Block Sub Group.

Scheme for Financing Schools

The forum was asked to approve the proposed Richmond 2026/27 Scheme for Financing Schools for maintained schools and to approve a full review of the document before the 2027/28 financial year. The report noted that the Department for Education (DfE) had published version 16 of the statutory guidance for the Scheme for Financing Schools in March 2026, with no directed revisions for 2026/27. The overall scheme document had not been fully reviewed and modernised since 2016, and a review was proposed to ensure it remained tailored to Richmond schools and accessible. The report also outlined the contents of the scheme, including sections on financial controls, instalments of budget share, treatment of surpluses and deficits, income, charging of budget shares, taxation, provision of services, PFI/PPP, insurance, miscellaneous provisions, responsibility for repairs and maintenance, and community facilities.

Other Updates

The forum was scheduled to receive any other updates relating to the Forum.

Dates of the Next Meetings

The dates for the next two Schools Forum meetings were scheduled for 24 September 2026 and 26 November 2026, both to be held at York House at 1.30 pm.