The Redbridge Schools Forum met on Thursday 9 July 2026 to discuss a range of financial and strategic matters concerning the borough's schools. Key topics included the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) outturn and allocations, updates on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms, and the school organisation strategy.

School Organisation Strategy

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Redbridge School Organisation Strategy, a five-year plan from September 2026 to August 2031. This strategy outlines the council's approach to managing the sufficiency of school places, addressing both declining demand for mainstream places and increasing demand for specialist provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The strategy details plans for adjusting Published Admission Numbers (PANs) for primary and secondary schools to align with projected pupil numbers, aiming to maintain approximately 4% spare capacity. It also highlights the intention to repurpose surplus space in mainstream settings to provide additional specialist places. The report detailed proposed adjustments to primary and secondary PANs over the next five years to meet predicted demand while ensuring sufficient spare capacity.

SEND Reforms Update

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update on Redbridge's Local SEND Reform Plan, which had been submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) on 19 June 2026. The plan outlines the local area's vision and goals for transforming the SEND system, focusing on greater inclusion, integration, and preventative support delivered closer to home through a partnership approach across Education, Health, and Social Care. The strategy aims to improve early identification of needs, enhance specialist support, and ensure financial sustainability through integrated commissioning. Key objectives include co-designing transformations with children and families, improving partnership capacity for early help and specialist support, and ensuring effective financial investment. The report detailed a roadmap for the next three years, outlining specific actions and expected outcomes, such as increased investment in Educational Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy services, the development of new specialist bases, and a focus on preparing young people for adulthood.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Outturn and Allocations

The forum was presented with the final outturn position for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2025-26 financial year and the allocations for 2026-27. The report indicated a projected in-year overspend of £14.624m for the 2025-26 financial year, resulting in a net deficit of £9.134m. The High Needs Block showed a significant overspend of £16.204m, attributed to increased demand for placements in mainstream schools, special schools (both in and out of borough), non-maintained and independent schools, and post-16 provision. The report also detailed the DSG allocations for 2026-27, showing an overall budget of £349.044m, with a brought-forward deficit of £9.134m in the High Needs Block.

High Needs Block Update

An update on the in-year forecast for the High Needs Block for 2026-27 projected a deficit of £17.393m. This pressure was attributed to a national and London-wide trend of increasing EHCPs and rising costs in the independent sector. The report detailed the breakdown of pupil-led funding and expenditure across various provision types, highlighting significant overspends in mainstream primary and secondary schools, special schools (in and out of borough), non-maintained and independent schools, post-16 provision, and pupil referral units. Central services also contributed to the overspend, particularly in Specialist Advisory Teaching Support.

Review of Notional SEND and Additional Targeted Funding

The forum was to consider findings from a review of Redbridge's notional SEND funding formula and the allocation of Additional Notional SEND funding. The review, conducted by Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS), found that Redbridge's notional SEND formula was not fully compliant with DfE guidance as it did not include an element of basic entitlement funding, although it did provide a higher notional SEND value than most comparator local authorities. The report also highlighted that the majority of local authorities no longer provide additional targeted high needs funding to mainstream schools, and where they do, methodologies vary significantly. Given the increasing pressures on the High Needs Block and the availability of new funding streams for inclusive mainstream provision, it was proposed to phase out this additional targeted funding over the next two financial years.

Maintained Schools Balances

Details on the revenue and capital balances held by maintained schools as at 31 March 2026 were presented. Collectively, Redbridge maintained schools held £24.857m in revenue balances, an increase from the previous year. The report detailed the number of schools with in-year deficits and surpluses, and those holding balances in excess of the Balance Control Mechanism (BCM) thresholds. The Local Authority indicated it would be scrutinising schools with significant, long-term accumulated balances.

School Internal Audit Plan 2026-27

The proposed school Internal Audit programme for 2026-27 was outlined, detailing the methodology used for selecting schools for review. The programme aims to provide assurance over school governance, financial management, compliance, and key operational risks. Five schools were identified for audit coverage based on a risk-based approach, considering financial position, time since last audit, and other assurance indicators.

Trade Union Facilities Time Update

An update was provided on Trade Union Facilities Time, noting a shortfall in the de-delegation fund for 2025-26 and a projected shortfall for 2026-27. The report detailed the costs associated with release time for various unions and proposed reductions in release days for 2026-27 to remain within budget. However, due to complexities and the absence of a Memorandum of Understanding, the Local Authority proposed to fund the budgetary gap for 2026-27, conditional on the formalisation of arrangements and clear descriptions of union facilities time moving forward.

School Grants (non-DSG)

An overview of non-DSG school-related grants for the financial year 2026-27 was presented. This included details on the Pupil Premium Grant, Universal Infant Free School Meals, Mayor's Universal Free School Meal, Free School Meals Expansion Grant, and the Inclusive Mainstream Fund. It was noted that the PE and Sports premium grant would no longer continue in its current form, and the School Budget Support Grant, National Insurance Contributions Grant, and Core School Budget Grant would be rolled into the National Funding Formula (NFF) or High Needs Block.

Early Years Funding Arrangements 2026/27

The meeting was to confirm early years arrangements for 2026/27, advise on the outcome of a proposal to amend early years deprivation supplement weightings, provide the approach for the 2026/27 Inclusive Early Years Fund, and update on underspend payments made in February 2026. The proposal to amend deprivation weightings was to be implemented, targeting funding at the 37.5% most socio-economically deprived areas. The approach for the Inclusive Early Years Fund was shared, and it was noted that an underspend in early years funding had been distributed to eligible settings.

School Grants (non-DSG)

An overview of non-DSG school-related grants for the financial year 2026-27 was presented. This included details on the Pupil Premium Grant, Universal Infant Free School Meals, Mayor's Universal Free School Meal, Free School Meals Expansion Grant, and the Inclusive Mainstream Fund. It was noted that the PE and Sports premium grant would no longer continue in its current form, and the School Budget Support Grant, National Insurance Contributions Grant, and Core School Budget Grant would be rolled into the National Funding Formula (NFF) or High Needs Block.

Maintained Schools Budget Monitoring

The report provided an update on the submissions made by maintained schools, including year-end returns, EOY3, and 3-year budget templates. While most schools had submitted their returns, a small number were still outstanding or required signed copies. The report also detailed the collective revenue and capital balances held by maintained schools as at 31 March 2026, noting an increase in overall balances and a rise in the number of schools holding balances in excess of the BCM threshold.