The Kingston Schools Forum met on Wednesday 17 July 2024 to discuss a range of financial and operational matters affecting schools in the borough. Key decisions included agreeing an interim increase in funding for Special Resource Provisions (SRPs) and recommending further work on future SRP funding methodologies. The Forum also noted progress on the SEND Futures Plan and Kingston's performance against the Safety Valve Agreement, and approved updates to the Scheme for Financing Schools.

Feedback from High Needs Block Subgroup

The High Needs Block Subgroup has amended its terms of reference to include more funding-related discussions. They are addressing a shortfall in therapies, linked to higher costs, and will be joined by Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists at their next meeting. The group is also monitoring the implementation of the banding tool, the Safety Valve Agreement, and the costs associated with commissioning. A proposal for a cluster model, with options for its implementation, will be presented to the Schools Forum in November. The Forum noted that the decision on the cluster model would be made in November, and that the cluster itself would not be funded from the High Needs Block, only the funding element.

Specialist Resource Provisions

The Schools Forum received an update on Special Resource Provision (SRP) funding. It was reported that some schools with SRPs had identified a potential funding gap between their funding formula and expenditure. To address this, a proposal was made to increase SRP funding for the 2024/25 academic year by 3.39%, aligning with the increase in the High Needs Block funding formula. This would result in an additional spend of £132,376 in the High Needs Block for 2024/25, or £226,931 for a full year. A working group will be established to develop new funding methodologies for SRPs, with members drawn from the wider school community. This group will report to the High Needs Subgroup and subsequently make recommendations to the Schools Forum. The Forum agreed to the interim increase in SRP budgets for 2024/25 and recommended that a further options paper be produced for potential changes to SRP funding methodology for 2025/26 and beyond.

School Place Planning

The Forum was updated on school place planning developments, covering primary, secondary, and specialist provisions. It was noted that there is an excess of primary school places in Kingston, with a decrease of approximately 400 primary applications since 2015. While falling rolls are a growing concern across London due to factors such as decreasing birth rates and families moving away, the issue is less pronounced in Kingston and the South West London area compared to inner London boroughs. An Achieving for Children (AfC) Falling Rolls Group has been established, and a position statement outlining their approach and support for schools has been shared.

For secondary schools, demand for places has consistently been high, with in-borough applications increasing by over 12% since 2015. Secondary schools are largely full, with a 10% increase in the school population since 2020, equating to 864 additional pupils. Kingston schools remain popular with families from outside the borough, with approximately 27% of secondary pupils coming from neighbouring boroughs. For September 2024, schools are expected to be largely full.

Regarding specialist provision, there has been significant growth in borough specialist places since 2011, with an 83% increase. Eighteen Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs) have been established in mainstream schools. The number of children in special schools has also increased over the past five years, aligning with the ambition to educate more children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) locally.

Looking ahead, forecasts indicate that primary school numbers are expected to fluctuate over the next few years without significant increases or decreases. However, a continuous shortage of places is anticipated at secondary and SEND levels. The team will continue to review the need for new and proposed schools, including the Norbiton site, Surbiton site, Kingsmeadow, and a new vocational centre at St Philip's.

Concerns were raised about the potential impact of the 20% VAT issue on demand, which the team is monitoring. Questions were also raised about the suitability of the Norbiton School site for a primary school, with officers noting concerns about insufficient play space and awaiting a ministerial decision on its future use. The calculation of pupil yield for new developments and the impact of planned developments around Kingston are being constantly reviewed, incorporating best practice examples such as the DfE's formula. The high number of in-year applications from abroad was also discussed, with 11 applications currently unplaced. The Forum noted the report.

Falling Rolls Fund

The Forum received an update on the Falling Rolls Fund consultation for 2024/25. The Department for Education (DfE) has issued new guidance allowing Local Authorities to support schools facing falling rolls, which can threaten financial viability. The consultation explored re-prioritising an underspend of approximately £172,000 from the 2023/24 Growth Fund to trial a falling rolls budget. Two options were presented: Option 1, to repay the underspend using the normal methodology, and Option 2, to reallocate it to a falling rolls fund with specific criteria. While schools supported the concept of a fund, feedback indicated that the proposed eligibility criteria needed adjustment. The Forum agreed in principle to the Falling Rolls Fund concept and requested officers to conduct a further consultation, including options for criteria such as surplus balances, under-PAN numbers, and percentage distribution. Officers agreed to include data on eligible schools in the consultation.

2023/24 Outturn

The Forum received a report detailing the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation and its application to the Schools Budget for 2023/24, including the outturn position. The total DSG budget for 2023/24 was £174.4 million before recoupment. Additional funding of £3.410 million from the Safety Valve Agreement and £2.410 million from the Council were received within the High Needs Block. Kingston experienced an overspend of £5.686 million before Safety Valve and Council funding, with £6.092 million of this in the High Needs Block. The cumulative DSG overspend, after carrying forward a deficit of £4.813 million from 2022/23 and accounting for Safety Valve and Council funding, was £4.689 million, a decrease of £124,000 compared to the previous year's carry forward. The report highlighted three main areas of increased spend in the High Needs Block: top-ups, independent placements, and post-16 provision, with post-16 spend increasing due to 38 additional places. Maintained school fund balances increased by £822,000 to £7.078 million, and academy and free school balances increased by £176,000 to £16.819 million. The Schools Forum noted the DSG allocation for 2023/24 and approved the DSG outturn position and the carry forward.

2024/25 Finance Update and 2025/26 Budget Setting Timetable

The Forum received an update on the DSG allocation for 2024/25, the projected DSG outturn for the same year, and the proposed budget setting timetable for 2025/26. The projected DSG for 2024/25 is £188.83 million before recoupment and £97.894 million after recoupment. Outside of this allocation, the Safety Valve funding is £1.59 million (with a balance of £30 million) and Council funding is £2.4 million. The projected DSG outturn for 2024/25 indicates an overspend of £6.139 million, including £6.436 million in the High Needs Block, leading to a cumulative overspend of £6.838 million expected at the end of the financial year. The report detailed projected increases in the High Needs Block, primarily in post-16 provision (£750,000 increase due to 39 additional pupils) and top-ups for academies (£393,000 increase). The 2025/26 Budget Planning Timetable was presented, noting similarities to the 2024/25 timetable, with Consultation One focusing on the Central School Services Block and de-delegated amounts. The Forum noted the DSG allocation and projected outturn for 2024/25, noted the 2025/26 budget setting timetable, and approved the consultation with schools regarding central DSG budgets.

Alternative Provision

The Headteacher of Malden Oaks presented a report highlighting the need to reduce the number of Alternative Provision (AP) places from 45 to 40 from September 2024, while simultaneously recommending an increase in place funding from £14,850 to £16,500 per place. The report detailed that Malden Oaks provides education for secondary students who cannot attend mainstream schools, often due to risk of exclusion, actual exclusion, or complex needs awaiting EHC assessments. The report noted a significant decrease in place funding since 2012, from £18,850 to £14,850, which is now out of line with other local authorities nationally. Despite rising costs, particularly teacher salaries (85% of the budget), and increasing demand for places, the current funding is unsustainable. The report presented two options: (a) increase per-place funding for the current number of places, requiring reprioritisation of funds, or (b) increase per-place funding while reducing the number of places to remain within budget. The current cost for 45 places is £668,250, while 40 places at the proposed rate would cost £660,000. Following discussion, the Chair suggested involving primary and secondary heads in the decision-making process. It was agreed that AfC would create a briefing document with questions for primary and secondary heads, and the results would be presented to the September Forum for a recommendation.

SEND Futures Plan

The Forum received an update on Kingston's performance against the Safety Valve Agreement and the implementation of the SEND Futures Plan. The Council has made sufficient progress in implementing the plan to receive all payments for the most recent financial year under the Safety Valve Agreement. At the end of April 2024, Kingston maintained 1,797 Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, an increase of 150 since April 2023. Requests for EHC needs assessments have stabilised at 301. The SEND Futures Plan has been refreshed and launched, with a focus on agreeing terms of reference, key performance indicators, and project plans. A task and finish group has concluded its work on alternative funding models for SEND in mainstream schools, with primary and secondary headteachers deciding to pilot one or two clusters from April 2025. Details on funding the pilot groups will be consulted on over the summer term. The Forum noted performance against the Safety Valve Agreement and progress with the SEND Futures Plan.

Scheme for Financing Schools (maintained schools)

The Forum received a report proposing an update to the Scheme for Financing Maintained Schools for 2024/25. It was noted that the Department for Education (DfE) annually issues updated statutory guidance, and Local Authorities are required to publish an updated scheme. There were no directive changes, with the only amendment being to reflect the most up-to-date financial treatment for reporting leases, specifically the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standard 16 (IFRS16). Maintained schools' representatives unanimously approved the update to the Scheme for Financing Schools 2024/25.

Date of Next Meeting

The dates for the next three Kingston Schools Forum meetings were confirmed: 23 September 2024 (in person), 19 November 2024 (virtual), and 21 January 2025 (virtual).