The Haringey Schools Forum was scheduled to discuss a range of financial and operational matters concerning schools within the borough. Key topics included the review of the Forum's membership and terms of reference, the allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2025-26 outturn and 2026-27 allocations, and proposals for the use of Early Years Block reserves. The Forum was also set to consider the continuation of a programme supporting Year 11 pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and receive updates on working parties and internal audit outcomes.

Forum Membership and Terms of Reference

The meeting was scheduled to review the membership and terms of reference of the Haringey Schools Forum. This included a discussion on the allocation of Forum places based on pupil numbers from the January 2026 census, with a recommendation to retain the existing number and proportion of places. The report also highlighted the impact of long-term vacancies on the Forum's membership and proposed an amended set of Terms of Reference for the 2026/27 academic year. The current terms of reference, as outlined in the provided documents, detail the Forum's statutory role in advising Haringey Council on matters relating to the Dedicated Schools Budget (DSB), including proposed changes to budget share formulae. The membership structure, comprising school and non-school members, was also to be reviewed.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Outturn and Allocations

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2025-26 financial year and the indicative allocations for 2026-27. The provisional outturn for the DSG in 2025-26 indicated an overall deficit of £9.772 million. The report detailed the financial position of the four blocks within the DSG: Schools, High Needs, Early Years, and Central School Services.

The Schools Block was reported to have a balanced position with no opening or closing balance. Similarly, the Central Block also closed the year with a balanced position. However, the High Needs Block began the year with a substantial deficit of £11.327 million, which increased to £12.702 million by the end of the financial year, despite a budget allocation of £64.053 million. The Early Years Block, conversely, started the year with a surplus of £1.820 million and ended with an increased surplus of £2.930 million, although this is subject to a Department for Education (DfE) clawback. The report also provided an overview of schools' year-end balances as of 31st March 2026, showing a net deficit of £4.155 million across all school types, with 30 schools reporting deficits and 34 reporting surpluses. Fourteen schools had licensed deficit recovery plans.

Early Years Block Reserves and Proposals

The meeting was scheduled to provide an update on the Early Years Block's 2025-26 outturn and proposals for the use of reserves. The outturn for the 2025-26 financial year showed an underspend of £1.2 million. The Early Years Working Group had agreed to distribute £425,000 of reserves for various projects, including an Early Years Conference (£6,000), the Language Enhancement and Empowerment Project (LEEP) (£45,000), Priority Early Learning Places (£57,511), Deferred Entry to Reception (£26,871), and Early Years Access to Holiday Provision for Vulnerable Families (£38,052). Additionally, a further £251,514 was allocated for a one-off payment per setting and a per-child payment. The report also outlined proposed future uses of reserves to support targeted early years initiatives.

Continuation of EAL Integration for Year 11 New Arrivals

The Forum was asked to consider the continuation of the Park View Year 11 EAL Integration Programme, which supports newly arrived pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL). The report highlighted the sustained high volume of in-year admissions of Year 11 pupils from overseas, many arriving with little or no English proficiency, placing significant pressure on mainstream school capacity. The programme, established in January 2025, aims to provide a dedicated, high-quality provision for accelerated language acquisition and improved post-16 outcomes. The report detailed the programme's impact in the 2025-26 cohort, noting strong pupil engagement, attendance, and progress in English language skills and qualifications. The recommendation was to reaffirm the allocation of Growth Fund to support this programme for the 2026-27 academic year, with a proposed cost of £184,594.

Update from Working Parties

An update from the Early Years Working Party was scheduled for discussion. The minutes from their meetings on 19 January 2026 and 22 January 2026 were to be formally received. These minutes detailed discussions on the Early Years funding formula and rates for 2026/27, including proposals for the distribution of underspends and the pilot of a new scheme for vulnerable children.

Outcome of Internal Audit

The meeting was to receive the outcome of the 2025/26 schools' audit work, conducted by Forvis Mazars. The report indicated an overall improvement in the control environment within Haringey's schools since 2019/20. However, for 2025/26, a dip in performance was noted, with seven out of eleven audited schools receiving 'Limited' assurance, a reduction from previous audits. Common themes arising from the audits included issues with governance, procurement activities not adhering to requirements, and the maintenance of Information Asset Registers. The report also detailed the number and priority of recommendations raised and highlighted ongoing risks, including an increase in cyber-attacks targeting schools.

Closure of the Safety Valve Programme

The closure of the Safety Valve Programme was also on the agenda. This programme was designed to support local authorities with deficits in their High Needs Block. The report was expected to provide information on the programme's conclusion and its implications for Haringey, including the potential impact of any remaining deficit.

Proposed Meeting Dates for 2026/27

Finally, the Forum was to consider proposed meeting dates for the 2026/27 academic year. A provisional schedule was provided, with meetings planned for October 2026, December 2026, January 2027, February 2027, March 2027, and July 2027.