The Kingston Schools Forum meeting was scheduled to cover a range of important educational and financial matters. Key discussions were expected to include feedback from the High Needs Block Subgroup, school place planning, and the management of falling rolls in primary schools. Financial updates for the 2023/24 outturn and projections for 2024/25 were also on the agenda, alongside the budget setting timetable for 2025/26. Other topics included specialist resource provisions, alternative provision, and an update on the SEND Futures Plan.

School Place Planning

The forum was set to receive an update on school place planning, covering primary, secondary, and specialist provision. This included an overview of current and historical demand for places, current capacity, and future demand projections. The report noted a decrease in in-borough applications for Reception places for September 2024 compared to the previous year, and a broader trend of decreasing in-borough application numbers since 2015. Despite this, the report highlighted that demand varies across the borough, with some schools remaining over-subscribed while others are under-subscribed.

For secondary schools, the report indicated a continued increase in in-borough applicants for Year 7 places, with a 12.2% increase between 2015 and 2024. The report detailed how additional places have been offered since 2018 to meet demand, and for the first time since 2018, there were no unplaced children on National Offer Day for September 2024 entry. However, the report projected a continued shortfall of secondary school places and an increase in the need for specialist places.

The report also detailed the growth in pupils on roll in state-funded special schools over the last decade, with a significant increase in places provided. The opening of Spring School in September 2023 was noted, with plans for its permanent site to be ready for the 2025-26 academic year. The demand for places at the four special schools was described as extremely high.

The report also addressed future demand forecasts, indicating a gradual reduction in surplus primary school places, a continued shortfall of secondary school places, and an increase in the need for specialist places. The impact of housing development and anticipated pupil yield from new developments was also discussed, highlighting the need for new school provision.

Falling Rolls Fund

A consultation on a potential Falling Rolls Fund for the 2024/25 academic year was scheduled for review. The purpose of the fund is to support schools experiencing falling rolls that threaten their financial viability. The consultation proposed re-prioritising an underspend from the 2023/24 Growth Fund, amounting to £171,794, to establish a pilot Falling Rolls Fund.

Proposed eligibility criteria included a mandatory DfE requirement that school capacity data shows places will be required in the subsequent three to five years. Local criteria proposed for consultation included a minimum 5% drop in total number on roll between October censuses, spare capacity of at least 5% of PAN (Published Admission Number), and schools operating under an approved deficit recovery plan or reporting less than a 10% surplus balance.

The consultation responses indicated that a majority of primary schools (17 out of 24) and a minority of secondary schools (2 out of 5) were in favour of establishing the fund. Detailed feedback from schools highlighted concerns about the proposed eligibility criteria, particularly regarding the treatment of school reserves and the fairness of the distribution methodology.

Finance Updates and Budget Setting

The forum was to receive updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2023/24 financial year, including the outturn position and carry forward. The 2023/24 DSG allocation was detailed across the Schools Block, Central School Services Block, Early Years Block, and High Needs Block. The report highlighted an in-year overspend of £5.686m for 2023/24, resulting in a cumulative deficit of £4.689m after accounting for safety valve funding and council contributions. The High Needs Block showed significant pressure, with an overspend of £3.692m.

An update on the projected DSG for the 2024/25 financial year was also scheduled, forecasting an overspend of £7.439m before accounting for safety valve and general fund contributions, leading to an expected cumulative surplus of £8.138m at the end of the year. The High Needs Block again showed significant projected overspend.

The proposed budget setting timetable for 2025/26 was presented, outlining key actions and consultation stages from June 2024 through to February 2025. This included consultations on central DSG budgets, the local funding formula, and early years funding.

Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) and Alternative Provision (AP)

A proposal to increase the Special Resource Provision (SRP) funding envelope for the 2024/25 academic year by 3.39% was to be discussed. This increase, based on the High Needs Block funding formula uplift, would result in an additional £132,376 in spend within the High Needs Block. An options paper was recommended for potential changes to the SRP funding methodology for 2025/26 and beyond.

The forum was also to consider a report on Alternative Provision (AP) places at Malden Oaks. The report highlighted the need to reduce the number of AP places from 45 to 40 from September 2024 to remain within the allocated budget. It also recommended an increase in place funding from £14,850 to £16,500 per place. The report detailed the rising demand for AP places and the increasing costs associated with them, noting that AP places cost approximately five times more than mainstream school places due to smaller class sizes.

SEND Futures Plan Update

An update on Kingston's performance against the Safety Valve Agreement with the Department for Education was scheduled. The report indicated that Kingston had made sufficient progress in implementing actions within the SEND Futures Plan to receive all payments for the most recent financial year. The updated SEND Futures Plan, launched in April 2024, focuses on three workstreams: Early Intervention, Our Local Offer, and Assessment and Planning. The report highlighted progress in participation and engagement with children, young people, parents, and carers, as well as efforts to prepare for and maximise independence for young people with SEND. The SEND Commissioning team's work in achieving savings was also noted.

The report detailed progress within each workstream, including the development of new supported internship provisions, a review of Occupational Therapy provision, and the ongoing therapy redesign. Concerns were raised regarding staffing deficits in the Participation Team, challenges in engaging harder-to-reach groups, and lengthy waiting lists for therapies and CAMHS assessments.

Scheme for Financing Schools

The forum was presented with a proposed update to the Scheme for Financing Schools for 2024/25. The update primarily focused on Section 5.8, concerning borrowing by schools, to reflect the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standard 16 (IFRS16) and the Secretary of State's blanket consent for all types of lease arrangements. The report detailed the updated guidance on borrowing, including restrictions on credit cards, debit cards, and charge cards, and outlined the process for schools seeking to borrow money or enter into lease agreements. The scheme also covered the treatment of surpluses and deficit balances, income, charging of budget shares, and insurance requirements.

Other Updates

The forum was also scheduled to receive updates on the 2023/24 Finance Outturn, the 2024/25 Finance Update and 2025/26 Budget Setting Timetable, and the SEND Futures Plan. The Safety Valve Agreement Summary Update Report was also to be presented, detailing progress against conditions and highlighting ongoing financial challenges.

The meeting was also expected to discuss the Scheme for Financing Schools 2024/25, including updates to borrowing by schools and the treatment of surplus and deficit balances.

The report on Alternative Provision (PRU) places at Malden Oaks was to be discussed, focusing on the need to reduce places and increase funding.

Finally, the forum was to consider the 2024/25 Scheme for Financing Schools, which included updates on borrowing by schools and the treatment of surplus and deficit balances. The report also detailed responsibilities for revenue and capital maintenance and improvement, and outlined insurance requirements for community and foundation schools.