The Children, Families and Education Select Committee were scheduled to discuss the possible amalgamation of two schools, receive an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, and discuss potential topics for a new review. The committee was also scheduled to review the Corporate Parenting Panel minutes, forward plan, and work programme.

Harefield Infant School and Harefield Junior School Amalgamation Proposal

The committee was scheduled to discuss a proposal to amalgamate Harefield Infant School and Harefield Junior School to create a single two-form entry primary school for children aged 3 to 11. If approved, the change would take effect from 1 April 2026, with a total published pupil number of 420.

Abi Preston, Director of Education & SEND, prepared a report for the committee, which included a recommendation for the committee to provide comments to the cabinet on the proposal to amalgamate the schools, by closing Harefield Infant School, and extending the age range of the Junior School from 7–11-year-olds, to 3–11-year-olds.

According to the report, the council and schools are expected to consider the long-term vision of each school, ensure the best outcomes for children and young people, and the sustainability of schools.

The report stated that both schools are community-maintained schools located in the Harefield Village ward and were both graded 'Good' at their last Ofsted Inspection. It also noted that the schools have been in a federation since October 2018, operating as much as possible as one school, with one federated Governing Board, one Executive Headteacher, and one Head of School.

The report stated that the Hillingdon Infant and Junior Amalgamation Policy, September 2022, states that the council will require governing bodies of separate infant and junior schools to consider amalgamating their two linked schools when one or more of several 'trigger circumstances' occur, unless there are compelling and overriding reasons. Two of these triggers were reportedly met:

• Pupil Numbers 25% or More Below Published Admission Number (PAN): The report stated that current enrolment data shows that total pupil numbers in Harefield Infant School are more than 25% below PANs¹.
• Small School Size and Below Two Forms of Entry: The report stated that both schools are either operating with PANs below two forms of entry² or are recruiting below this level, which puts them at risk of becoming financially unviable within the Hillingdon funding context.

The report also included tables showing the decline in pupil numbers at both schools over the past six years.

An Equality Impact Assessment was considered in relation to the proposed amalgamation, and it was not expected that the proposal would have any significant impact on pupils, staff, or the wider community.

The report noted that if the schools amalgamate, the combined school will only be eligible for one lump sum from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in the future, which could have financial implications. However, the school could benefit from better economies of scale which could mitigate the impact of this loss.

The report also detailed the consultation process that was carried out, including online and in-person meetings with parents, carers, staff, governors and members of the public.

The report stated that if the cabinet approves the proposal, the Education Service will formally notify the Department for Education, and the implementation of the proposal will then follow the statutory process set out in the Department for Education's guidance.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Update

Abi Preston, Director of Education & SEND, was scheduled to provide the committee with an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The DSG is a ring-fenced grant used to fund education-related services. The DSG is divided into four blocks: Schools Block, Early Years Block, High Needs Block, and Central School Services Block.

The report stated that the most significant improvement achieved has been in strengthening early intervention, which has benefited children and settings with pre-statutory support and funding routes. This has supported slowing the growth of Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs)³, where appropriate, leading to a lower number of plans than expected, and providing cost-effective provision for children with SEND needs⁴.

The report also included key EHCP highlights as per the latest published SEN2 2025 data (reporting for the 2024 calendar year period), including:

• The net growth of EHCPs was -1% during 2024, which is a significant reduction when compared with 7% growth reported in 2023 and 8% growth in 2022.
• Every step of the Education Health Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) journey to EHCP in LBH is above national, and in some cases significantly. LBH achieved 90.8% compliance in 2024 (56.5% reported in 2023) for statutory timelines excluding exceptions vs London 66.9%, and national 46.4%.
• LBH is below national for SEND children absences, persistent absence, authorised and severely absent, as well as approximately 50% lower for suspensions compared to national figures.
• LBH had 0% permanent exclusions vs London 0.2%, national 0.04%.

The report stated that the result of these positive outcomes in service delivery is a much stronger financial position for LBH's DSG position than would have been otherwise. The DSG deficit as at the end of March 2025 is £65.71m - an 11% improvement on the forecast position before the start of the Safety Valve programme⁵ in 2022/23.

Policy Review Discussion and Guidance

The committee was scheduled to discuss potential topics for a new policy review. At the last meeting, members raised a number of possible policy review areas, including:

• Inclusivity
• Narrowing the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged young people in education standards
• Falling school rolls and changes in admission numbers
• NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
• Utilising spare capacity in schools
• Third party/ voluntary groups and opportunities in Hillingdon
• Addressing the post-COVID mental health gap in schools
• Digital exclusion and educational disadvantage
• Social care

The committee was scheduled to discuss the topic ideas, with a view to deciding on a review topic.

Corporate Parenting Panel Minutes

The committee was scheduled to review the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting held on 20 May 2025.

Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to review the Cabinet's latest Forward Plan, which sets out key decisions and other decisions to be taken by the Cabinet and Cabinet Members over the coming year.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its work programme and agree any amendments.