The Schools Forum is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to discuss the council's energy procurement strategy, proposed amendments to the Forum's terms of reference, and updates on school funding. The meeting will also cover financial reports concerning the High Needs Block and the overall Schools Forum work programme.

Camden's Energy Procurement Contract Renewal

The Forum will receive an update on Camden's proposed renewal of its energy procurement strategy for 2028-2032. This strategy involves aggregating energy spend across schools, housing, and the corporate estate with approximately 250 other public sector organisations to secure lower energy costs through a Central Purchasing Authority. The strategy also includes forward purchasing energy to hedge against market volatility. The intention is to continue this approach, subject to Cabinet approval in November. The report outlines several options for energy procurement, with the recommended option being to continue procuring through a Central Purchasing Authority. Risks associated with this strategy, such as commercial and operational issues, are detailed, along with proposed mitigation measures. The report also touches upon the environmental implications, noting that Camden's corporate estate and schools currently benefit from 100% renewable electricity supplies.

Amendments to Schools Forum Terms of Reference

Proposed changes to the Schools Forum's terms of reference are scheduled for discussion. These include increasing the Forum's membership by adding a representative from the Early Years Private, Voluntary, & Independent (PVI) sector and reducing the minimum number of annual meetings from five to four. Additionally, the report presents proposed amendments to the terms of reference for the Schools Forum's High Needs Block Subgroup (HNBS), following discussions at a previous meeting. These updated terms of reference, along with appendices, are presented for noting.

Funding Update and Schools Funding Consultation for 2027/28

An update on the current national funding position and the proposed consultation for Camden's local funding formula for 2027/28 will be presented. This follows recent Department for Education (DfE) announcements and a government spending review. The report anticipates that detailed funding levels for 2027/28 will be released in the autumn, with the council proposing to pass any national inflation uplift fully to schools. It is also suggested that there will likely be minimal changes to the current NFF funding formula until 2028/29, and the council proposes continuing with previous decisions to make no changes to the local funding formula, subject to statutory requirements. The report also outlines current spending pressures and Camden's support for schools.

High Needs Block (HNB) 2026/27 Update

An update on the High Needs Block projection for 2026/27 will be provided, reflecting Quarter 1 monitoring. This update indicates an increase in the in-year deficit from £10.7 million, as stated in a previous report, to £11.24 million. The report details the breakdown of this spend by main areas and highlights the significant growth in out-of-borough placements and individual tuition spend as key drivers for the increased deficit. The report also touches upon national SEND reforms, including the High Needs Stability Grant and the Inclusive Mainstream fund, and discusses Camden's approach to SEND provision and its comparative growth in high needs numbers.

Schools Forum Work Programme and Action Tracker

The Schools Forum's work programme for the 2026/27 academic year will be presented, outlining the key reports intended for submission throughout the year. Suggestions and proposals from meetings can be incorporated into this programme as it progresses. An action tracker, detailing actions requested at previous meetings and their current status, will also be provided. The report includes the scheduled meeting dates for the 2026/27 academic year.