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Schools Forum - Thursday 15th October, 2026 1.00 pm
October 15, 2026 at 1:00 pm Schools Forum View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 15 October 2026 to discuss a range of financial and operational matters affecting local schools. Key discussions included a proposed 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block, and the continuation of de-delegated funding for the School Effectiveness Service.
Minutes of the Meeting of 9 July 2026
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 July 2026 were agreed as an accurate record, with an amendment to list Jan Baines as an officer. An action log was introduced to track actions arising from meetings.
Schools Forum Membership
An update on Schools Forum membership was noted, with a particular focus on encouraging greater representation from maintained primary school headteachers. The Head of Education Effectiveness will utilise the Head-teachers' Newsletter to promote participation.
SEND Reform Plan Update
The Forum received confirmation that the SEND Reform Plan had been approved by the Department for Education (DfE). The Director of Family Services and Strategic Partnerships, Andy Cook, and Head of SEND, Jessica Conway, confirmed that the plan had met the required thresholds and acknowledged the partnership's positive trajectory. The plan will now move into an implementation and monitoring phase, with regular reviews of operational progress expected. Members noted that the DfE's approval and financial support are subject to clear expectations regarding delivery and accountability. The Forum also heard that the Council would receive the High Needs Stability Grant for 2025-26, amounting to £38.4 million, expected towards the end of November.
Proposed 0.5% Schools Block Transfer to High Needs Block
The Forum supported the consultation with schools on a proposed 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block for the 2027/28 financial year, subject to specific conditions regarding the consultation content and process. This transfer is intended to help manage the deficit in the High Needs Block and support the local SEND Reform Plan, aiming to strengthen early intervention and inclusive practice. The consultation will provide schools with full details of how the transferred budget will be spent and which services might be reduced or discontinued if the transfer does not proceed. The consultation paper will be sent directly to Trusts and circulated through the Heads' newsletter, with the outcome to be reported back to the Schools Forum in December 2026. Concerns were raised by members, including Paul Wheeler, regarding the potential impact of previous transfers on the High Needs Stability Grant and the uncertainty surrounding future government funding. Rob Hardcastle also raised technical questions about the overall funding envelope and potential impacts of reduced employer pension contributions. The Strategic Finance Business Partner, Yoke O'Brien, explained that modelling was not possible without DfE budget information and that a disapplication request to the Secretary of State would be submitted in November if necessary, regardless of the Forum's decision, but would be withdrawn if not needed. The Forum noted the importance of carefully framing the consultation questions to ensure meaningful input from schools.
Dedicated Schools' Grant Update
The Senior Finance Business Partner, Sariya Bi, presented an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2026-27. The report highlighted a significant overspend in the High Needs Block, with a forecast cumulative deficit of £73.2 million by March 2027. Much of the quarter one overspend was attributed to the consolidation of previously separate grants into the High Needs Block. Forum members discussed the reasons for the overspend in LA special schools and academies, which was largely due to DfE requirements to consolidate grants. It was clarified that this was a one-off impact related to the grant roll-in and not a recurring issue. The Forum noted the update, and an action was agreed for future monitoring slides to include previous years' outturn data for better trajectory analysis.
De-delegation of School Effectiveness 2027 - 2028
The Head of Education Effectiveness, Ted Walker, presented the proposal for the continuation of de-delegated funding for the School Effectiveness Service. This funding supports the Local Authority's statutory responsibilities for school standards, educational performance, and intervention in maintained schools. The Forum agreed to consult schools on this proposal, subject to a review of the proposed rate to reflect changes in school funding, including reductions in employer pension contributions.
De-delegation of Trade Union Facilities Time 2027 - 2028
This item was deferred due to the absence of a presenter and report. However, the Forum indicated its general support for a consultation question on the de-delegation of trade union facilities time, as has been the practice in previous years. Officers will work with trade union colleagues to find a means to confirm Forum's approval of the consultation question outside of the meeting.
Redetermination of Budgets Following a Permanent Exclusion
This item was deferred to a later date to allow for the availability of the presenting officer and for the Forum to consider the item fully.
CSSB Historical Commitments Update 2027 - 2028
David Akinsanya, Senior Finance Business Partner, presented an update on Central School Services Block (CSSB) historical commitments. The Council will submit a business case to the DfE for 2027-28 to address a reduction in CSSB funding related to premature retirement costs. The Forum noted the update.
Schools' Monitoring
Cathryn Walker, Schools Support Team Manager, presented an update on schools' monitoring, including comparative data for outturns against forecasts and information on schools in deficit. The Chair and Forum members thanked the Officer for their response and the information provided.
Schools in Financial Difficulty
Rob Hardcastle presented an update on the process for managing schools in financial difficulty. A Schools Finance Working Group has been established to categorise schools (Green, Amber, Red) based on their financial status and provide appropriate support. For Red
schools, a Licensed Deficit Panel process is in place, with some panel meetings rescheduled at the request of the schools, to support them in preparing their responses. The Forum discussed the importance of early intervention and the balance between allowing schools time to prepare robust plans and the need for timely action. Paul Wheeler raised a point about the inclusion of Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) within the Licensed Deficits Policy, which was agreed to be considered further by officers.
Licensed Deficit Policy
Following the discussion on schools in financial difficulty, the Forum noted the Licensed Deficits Policy. An action was agreed for the Schools Support Team Manager to take the Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) model to a future Schools' Finance Working Group meeting for consideration as an option within the policy, with input to be sought from the Forum Vice Chair.
School Balances Policy Consultation 2027 - 2028
Charlotte Allford, High Needs Business Support Officer, presented the School Balances Policy, noting that there were no content changes from the previous year's policy. The Forum noted the policy and suggested amending examples within section 9 of the Policy, to provide more granular detail and aid clarity of understanding.
Scheme for Financing Schools
Charlotte Allford also presented the Scheme for Financing Schools for 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. Minor terminology adjustments have been made to align with the latest DfE guidance, and updates include reflecting termly high needs top-up payments and the establishment of a new Schools Finance Working Group. The Forum noted and agreed the scheme, and advised on required administrative corrections, clarifications, and feedback being provided to Forum and managing the impact on schools affected by DfE-directed changes. A discussion took place regarding changes to paragraph 4.8 of the scheme concerning the treatment of balances of closing schools, with concerns raised about the impact on schools currently proceeding with amalgamations based on the previous policy. Officers agreed to provide feedback on how changes would be managed during transitions.
Pupil Growth Fund Policy and Update
Jerome Thompson-Brown, Head of Access and Sufficiency, presented an update on the Pupil Growth Fund. No new growth places were commissioned for 2026-27 due to sufficient capacity. The committed expenditure for 2026-27 has significantly reduced, with a proposed contingency amount retained. The Forum noted the 2025-2026 Growth Fund outturn position and expenditure by phase, and the committed and forecast Growth Fund expenditure for 2026-2027. The Forum agreed to consult schools on the proposed Growth Fund Policy for 2027-2028 and proposed Growth Fund budget requirement for 2027-2028, subject to the Head of Access and Sufficiency including block rate calculations as an option for consideration. Discussions included the potential underspend being absorbed into the DSG deficit and the robustness of forecasting numbers. Concerns were also raised about the sustainability of per-pupil funding rates for smaller numbers of additional places, and the Head of Access and Sufficiency agreed to review the proposal to consider including a unit cost.
Forward Plan
The Chair drew members' attention to the Forward Plan. The Forum noted the Forward Plan.
The meeting concluded slightly ahead of schedule.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Licensed Deficit Policy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council noted the Licensed Deficits Policy on 15 October 2026. The Schools Support Team Manager will take the Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning model to a future working group for consideration as an option in the Licensed Deficits Policy, with input from the Forum Vice Chair.
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CSSB Historical Commitments Update 2027 - 2028
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council decided to note the update on 15 October 2026. The forum noted the ongoing reduction in funding linked to premature retirement costs within the Central School Block. North Northamptonshire Council will submit a business case to the DfE for 2027-28 to address this reduction.
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Schools' Forum membership.
Information OnlyNorth Northamptonshire Schools Forum noted an update on 15/10/2026. The Head of Education Effectiveness will utilise the Head-teachers’ Newsletter to encourage maintained primary school Head-teacher participation in the Forum.
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Close of meeting.
Information Only -
Redetermination of Budgets Following a Permanent Exclusion
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council on Thursday 15 October 2026 deferred the item to a later date. The forum was advised that no changes were required to the current policy on the Council's role in overseeing financial readjustment following a permanent exclusion.
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Forum forward plan.
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council decided to note the Forward Plan on 15 October 2026. The Forward Plan outlines items for future meetings, including draft terms of reference, updates on high needs and DSG, funding formula proposals, and de-delegation decisions.
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Proposed 0.5% Schools Block Transfer to High Needs Block
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council decided on 15 October 2026 to support a consultation with schools regarding a proposed 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block for 2027/28. The consultation will seek views on the proposal's contribution to the local SEND Reform Plan, improving inclusion, and creating a more sustainable High Needs system. The Forum agreed that the consultation must provide full details of how the transferred budget will be spent, highlight benefits, and detail services that would be reduced or could not be delivered without agreement to the transfer.
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Pupil Growth Fund update.
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum decided to note the 2025-2026 Growth Fund outturn and the committed and forecast expenditure for 2026-2027. They agreed to consult schools on the proposed Growth Fund Policy and budget for 2027-2028, with the outcome to be returned for approval in December 2026. The Head of Access and Sufficiency will consider including a block funding formula as an option during the consultation.
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Schools' monitoring.
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum noted an update on schools' outturn and monitoring positions. The decision was made on 15/10/2026.
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The Schools Forum decided on 15/10/2026 that the minutes of the meeting of 9 July 2026 were agreed as a true and accurate record, subject to a correction. The Governance Officer will amend the minutes to identify Jan Baines as an Officer.
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Schools Balances Policy Consultation 2027 - 2028
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council noted the Schools Balances Policy for 2027-2028 on 15 October 2026. The High Needs Business Support Officer will review Section 9.0, paragraph 9.1 to provide more distinct illustrative examples for clarity.
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Dedicated Schools' Grant update.
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum noted the update on the Dedicated Schools Grant on 15 October 2026. The Senior Finance Business Partner will include additional columns to future High Needs Block Monitoring slides to show previous years' outturn.
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Apologies for non-attendance, Forum membership changes, and declarations of interest.
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council decided to record apologies for non-attendance. It noted there were no membership changes and recorded a declaration of interest.
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Scheme for Financing Schools
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council noted the Scheme for Financing Schools 2026 – 2027 and 2027 – 2028 on 15 October 2026. The Forum advised on required administrative corrections and clarifications, and feedback was provided regarding managing the impact of DfE-directed changes on schools. The High Needs Business Support Officer will make administrative corrections and review payroll references, while the Head of Education Effectiveness and High Needs Business Support Officer will consider referencing means of engaging with schools impacted by DfE-directed changes.
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De-delegation of School Effectiveness 2027 - 2028
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council decided on 15 October 2026 to approve the proposal to consult on de-delegating school effectiveness funding for 2027-2028. The Head of Education Effectiveness will review the proposed 3.5% inflationary increase to reflect pay and pension contribution changes.
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De-delegation of Trade Union Facilities Time 2026 - 2027 (Report to follow)
Recommendations ApprovedSchools Forum decided to support the proposal to consult on Trade Union Facilities Time De-delegation for 2026-2027 on 15 October 2026. The Director of Education will provide means to inform the consultation outside the Forum meeting cycle, including proposed rates and approaches to the Trade Union for a position statement.
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SEND Reform Plan and High Needs Reference Group updates.
Information OnlySchools Forum noted that the SEND Reform Plan had received approval from the Department for Education. This decision was made on 15/10/2026.
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Schools in financial difficulty update.
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council noted an update on schools in financial difficulty on 15 October 2026. The forum received information and oversight regarding the maintained schools budget monitoring process for 2027-28 onwards. This process involves classifying schools as green, amber, or red based on projected deficits, with amber schools offered training and enhanced monitoring, and red schools considered by a working group for potential licensed deficits.
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