The Schools Forum of Wokingham Council met on Wednesday 14 October 2026 to elect its Chair and Vice-Chair, review its membership, and discuss the proposed consultation process for the 2027/28 schools funding formula and the 2026/27 revenue monitoring report. Brian Prebble was elected Chair and Mark Wieder was elected Vice-Chair for the 2026-27 academic year. The Forum also agreed to retain its current membership structure and noted the proposed consultation process and draft timeline for the 2027/28 schools funding formula.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

Brian Prebble was elected Chair of the Schools Forum for the 2026-27 academic year, and Mark Wieder was appointed Vice Chair.

Schools Forum Membership Review

The Forum considered a report on its membership structure and agreed to retain the current composition for the 2026/27 academic year. The report noted that while the number of maintained schools in Wokingham Borough has decreased, the current structure provides a reasonable balance between maintained schools, academies, and non-school representatives, ensuring proportionate representation as required by Department for Education guidance. A need for a Governor Forum representative was highlighted, and members were asked to encourage any interested governors to come forward.

Proposed Consultation Process for 2027/28

Steve Ellis, Finance Business Partner for Children's Services, presented the proposed consultation process and draft timeline for the 2027/28 schools National Funding Formula (NFF) policy update. The consultation, scheduled for the first three weeks of November, will seek schools' views on several key areas:

• Schools Block Affordability and NFF Implementation: It is anticipated that an increase in free school meal eligibility may create formula pressures, potentially making it impossible to fully replicate the NFF locally. Schools will be consulted on whether any necessary reductions to the local formula should be applied proportionately across factors or targeted at specific ones.
• Growth Fund: No changes are proposed to the existing Growth Fund policy, as pupil numbers are falling across the borough.
• Transfer from Schools Block to High Needs Block: Given ongoing High Needs pressures, the council may seek a transfer from the Schools Block. Views will be collected on whether this transfer is supported, its potential impact on mainstream school budgets, and the services currently funded by previous transfers.
• Early Years Funding Formula: The sector will be consulted on how any increase in Early Years funding should be targeted.
• Central School Services Block Budgets: Schools will be consulted on the proposed use of this block and any changes to centrally funded services.
• Central Retention and De-delegation: Maintained schools will consider relevant central retention and de-delegated budgets.

The consultation outcomes and recommended funding principles will be presented to the Schools Forum on 9 December 2026, with the final 2027/28 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget scheduled for agreement on 13 January 2027. The Forum noted the proposed consultation process and draft timeline.

2026-27 Revenue Monitoring Report

The Forum received an update on the 2026/27 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) forecast as at September 2026. The report indicated an in-year deficit of £24.1 million, an increase from the £20.4 million projected at budget setting, with the pressure continuing to be within the High Needs Block. This, combined with a brought-forward deficit of £52.9 million, projects a cumulative deficit of £77 million by 31 March 2027.

The primary driver for the High Needs Block deficit is the increased number of placements in independent and non-maintained special schools, which has outpaced budget forecasts due to capacity issues in maintained special schools. While the previous year's improved outturn has reduced the overall cost base, the discontinuation of the Safety Valve Programme¹ and projected growth in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)², unit costs, and independent and non-maintained special school placements are contributing to the growing deficit.

No in-year variance is currently forecast for the Early Years Block or the Central Schools Services Block. The Schools Block also shows no variance or significant risks at this time. The Forum noted the contents of the report and the forecast position for the 2026/27 financial year.