The Bexley Schools Forum met on 15 January 2024 to discuss the 2024-25 school funding formulas, the overall schools budget including high needs, and an update on the Safety Valve programme. Key decisions included the approval of proposed funding formulae for both mainstream schools and early years settings, and the agreement to a 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block.

Schools Block Funding Formula

The Forum discussed the proposed funding formula for mainstream schools and academies for the 2024-25 academic year. Officers presented an update on annual funding, pupil data comparisons, and proposed unit values, outlining the impact at an individual school level. The Forum was asked to agree the growth fund budget, which was approved. They also considered the de-delegation of budgets for maternity cover and free school meal eligibility checking for maintained schools. The maintained school members voted to de-delegate these budgets.

Early Years Funding Formula

The Forum reviewed the proposed early years funding formula and draft budget for 2024-25. This included changes to free entitlement, with phased extensions for working parents from April 2024. The proposed formula rates were extended to cover all age groups, and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation showed a significant increase. The Forum agreed to the proposed funding formulae and draft budget.

Overall Schools Budget 2024-25 Including High Needs

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the overall schools budget for 2024-25, with a particular focus on the High Needs Block. Officers presented the draft budget, highlighting that Bexley's Safety Valve agreement with the Department for Education (DfE) provides a medium-term profile for the accumulated deficit on the DSG. The draft budget showed an in-year deficit of £1.585m, which was an adverse variation of £0.244m compared to the original Safety Valve assumption. The Forum noted the updated Safety Valve profile for the accumulated deficit, which at March 2025 was projected to be £7.386m, within the original Safety Valve profile. The Forum also received further information on the High Needs Block, including details on schools receiving additional funding, out-of-borough placements, and a review of the maintained schools' contribution.

Safety Valve Update

An update was provided on the Safety Valve initiatives, with reports submitted to the DfE indicating good progress. The report detailed progress on expanding special school provision, including the re-tendering for the Shenstone School build, and efforts to repatriate learners from independent special settings. The Forum was informed about the development of inclusive practice in mainstream settings through an outreach programme from special schools, and the expansion of local provision for children with higher needs. The recruitment of SEN Strategic Partners and the implementation of early intervention initiatives were also discussed. The Forum received a draft of the Safety Valve Programme leaflet for review.

Any Other Business

Under Any Other Business, a request was made for information on current commissioned places and pupils at Bexley schools and academies. The data provided detailed pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) notified to SEN Finance, split between Bexley resident pupils and those living in other local authorities, across various educational settings. Mr Wheatley enquired about the outcome of the SEND local area inspection, and officers advised that the partnership was awaiting the inspection outcome letter.