The Schools Funding Forum was scheduled to consider a range of financial matters affecting local schools, including the Dedicated Schools Grant, schools block funding, and proposals for de-delegating services for the 2027-28 academic year. Discussions were also scheduled to cover the Central Schools Services Block and updates on High Needs funding and the monitoring of LA maintained schools.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

The forum was scheduled to elect a Chair and Vice Chair for the academic year 2026-27. Members were also scheduled to review and agree on any proposed amendments to the Schools Forum Constitution.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)

The meeting was scheduled to review the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2026-27 financial year, including the year-end balance and updates on any under or overspends across different blocks.

Schools Block Funding

Discussions were scheduled to focus on the proposed approach and alternative options for the 2027-28 Schools Block funding formula. This included considering the potential impact of different modelling scenarios on individual schools and the principles for consultation. The forum was scheduled to consider the implications of the National Funding Formula (NFF)¹, the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG)², and caps on funding gains. Options for transferring funding from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block were also scheduled to be discussed, alongside the funding for the Pupil Growth and Falling Rolls Fund.

De-delegation for 2027-28

The forum was scheduled to consider proposals for de-delegating funding for various services for LA maintained primary and special schools for the financial year 2027-28. This included decisions on whether to continue with the de-delegation of funding for insurance, maternity leave pooled schemes, English as an Additional Language (EAL) services, and Trade Union Facility Time. Discussions were also scheduled regarding statutory and regulatory duties, and core school improvement activities.

Central Schools Services Block (CSSB)

The meeting was scheduled to review the projected Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Central Schools Services Block (CSSB) funding for the financial year 2027-28. The forum was also scheduled to consider a request to retain funding for central statutory services, such as copyright licences, admissions, and Schools Forum administration.

High Needs 2027-28

An update was scheduled to be provided on Havering's Local SEND Reform Plan, which had been approved by the Department for Education. This approval made the local authority eligible for an indicative High Needs Stability Grant of £62.076 million to address a significant portion of the accumulated High Needs Block deficit. The forum was scheduled to be updated on investments in Experts at Hand and wider SEND transformation, as well as work on mainstream SEND banding, specialist and support units. Havering was not proposing to opt into the local SEND inclusion formula at present.

LA Maintained Schools Monitoring

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on the financial position of maintained schools and the actions taken by the Local Authority (LA) since the previous meeting in June 2026. This included details of the LA's strengthened approach to monitoring and supporting schools identified as being at financial risk, with a focus on categorisation letters, direct engagement, and reviews of budgets and recovery plans.

Future Meeting Dates

The scheduled dates for future Schools Funding Forum meetings for the academic year 2026-27 were to be confirmed.