The Schools Forum meeting on Thursday 24 September 2026 included decisions on the de-delegation of services for maintained schools and discussions on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) forecast, early years and childcare sufficiency, and the SEND Local Reform Plan. Michael Collant was confirmed as Chair and Diane Compton-Belcher was confirmed as Vice Chair of the Schools Forum.

De-delegation of Services for Maintained Schools

Representatives of maintained primary schools voted on whether to continue de-delegating several centrally provided services for the 2027-28 academic year. The majority of primary school representatives voted in favour of continuing de-delegation for Free School Meal Eligibility, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Trade Union Facility Time Funding, School Improvement, Gypsy and Romany Travellers, Behaviour Support Services, and Medical Referrals for Employees. The maintained secondary school representative voted to support continued de-delegation for Free School Meal Eligibility and English as an Additional Language, but abstained on Trade Union Facility Time Funding.

The report highlighted the importance of these services:

• Free School Meal Eligibility funds the administration process for free school meals, with schools needing to develop their own systems if de-delegation ceases.
• English as an Additional Language (EAL) funding supports schools with training, strategic development, and direct specialist work, which is crucial for meeting Ofsted requirements.
• Trade Union Facility Time Funding ensures that recognised trade union representatives have paid time off for duties and training, with significant costs for schools if this is not managed centrally.
• School Improvement funding enables the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duties, including monitoring school performance, brokering improvement provision, and intervening when necessary.
• Gypsy and Romany Travellers services provide experienced education support officers to improve outcomes for children from GRT communities.
• Behaviour Support Services (also referred to as SEND Specialist Support Services) provide funding directly to primary schools for pupils with SEN Support without an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP).
• Medical Referrals for Employees covers the costs of occupational health services for school-based staff, including pre-employment checks and advice on managing absences.

Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency

Mandy Latham, Strategy Manager for Early Years, Sufficiency & Entitlements, provided an update on the early years and childcare sufficiency in Warwickshire. The rollout of new working entitlements for parents, including 30 hours of free childcare for children from nine months old, has been fully implemented and is seeing good uptake. While the universal 15 hours for three and four-year-olds remains consistent, there is a statistical decline in the take-up of the 2Help Early Learning for 2-year-olds places. This is attributed to families eligible for both this and the working parent entitlement opting for the latter, which provides more hours.

The report noted a stable childcare market with growth in larger nursery settings and a decrease in smaller standalone provisions. There is also a reduction in voluntary managed provision, with many transferring to school-run settings. Childminders are increasingly offering funded hours, but some are reducing their offer for three and four-year-olds due to funding rates. Despite an oversupply of places in the Warwick and Leamington town areas, overall sufficiency is considered met across the county. Challenges include the impact of local government reorganisation, funding rates for three and four-year-olds, and the varied demographic splits across the county.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Forecast 2026-27 Q1

John Orridge, Senior Accountant, presented the first quarter forecast for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2026-27. The overall forecast shows an overspend of £99.297 million against the allocation, leading to a projected deficit of £249.607 million in the DSG reserve. The High Needs Block is the primary driver of this overspend, with a forecasted deficit of £100.250 million, largely due to increased volumes in top-ups for mainstream schools, special schools, and post-16 provision. The report noted that these figures do not yet reflect potential grant funding from the Department for Education (DfE) related to SEND reform.

2027-28 National Funding Formula Timetable

John Orridge also provided an update on the 2027-28 National Funding Formula timetable. Due to ministerial changes at the DfE, the distribution date for the formula has been delayed, with an expectation of receiving it in the autumn, potentially as late as December. This late notification significantly limits the time available for local authorities to balance their funding formulas and present options to schools. Key changes to the formula will include the reduction in the teachers' pension rate, the incorporation of the Schools Block Support Grant for 2026, and the free school meals expansion grant. Concerns were raised about the government's handling of the LGPS pension scheme reduction, with a call to lobby for the teachers' pension scheme savings to be used to level up funding for schools nationally.

DSG SEND Local Reform Plan Update

Ross Caws, Head of SEND and Inclusion, provided an update on the Local SEND Reform Plan, which has been submitted to the DfE. The plan aims to create a more inclusive and effective system for children and young people with SEND, with a focus on early intervention and strengthening mainstream inclusion. The Experts at Hand offer, which involves speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, and specialist teachers, is being developed to provide early advice to children without EHCPs. The plan also outlines ambitions to increase specialist bases and resourced provision places, aiming for a significant increase by 2029. Projections indicate an exponential increase in EHCPs up to 2029, leading to a forecasted spend of £254 million by that stage. The report also detailed the findings of the recent SEND Local Area Inspection, which resulted in a middle outcome, requiring improvements in strategic governance, mental health support, ADHD diagnosis waiting times, EHC plan timeliness, and rates of exclusion and absence for children with SEND. An action plan addressing these areas has been developed and submitted for approval.

Update on Academisation of Schools

John Orridge reported that five Catholic primary schools converted to academy status on 1 September 2026, joining the St Raphael the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust. Two further schools are in the process of conversion, with potential completion before April next year, pending DfE approval. As of 2 September 2026, 61.63% of Warwickshire's maintained schools have converted to academy status.

Forward Plan

The next Schools Forum meeting is scheduled for Thursday 5 November 2026, and will be held in person at Shire Hall. Subsequent meetings are planned for 14 January 2027 and 18 March 2027.