The Wandsworth Schools Forum met to discuss the Dedicated Schools Grant budget, free school meal trends, the Nursery Inclusion Project for All, and a responsive support officer project. Jared Brading from Sacred Heart RC (Battersea) and St Mary’s RC Primary Schools was elected as Vice Chair. The forum also approved the minutes from the meeting held on 30 June 2025 and noted future meeting dates.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Budget Monitoring

The forum reviewed the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Budget Monitoring for the financial year 2025-26. The report Item 4. DSG Budget Monitoring FY2025-26 - Oct 25 provided an update on the latest DSG forecast, with Abhay Gupta, Strategic Finance Business Partner - Education, presenting the key points.

The report indicated an expected overspend of £11.202 million, primarily driven by a £14.202 million overspend in the High Needs Block (HNB), partially offset by a £3 million underspend in the Early Years Block. The High Needs Block supports provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from their early years to age 25, enabling both councils and institutions to meet their statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014.

Key factors affecting High Needs spending include the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), the average cost per EHCP, and the funding assigned to commissioned or internally delivered support services. The report highlighted that management actions implemented under the DSG Recovery Plan aim to moderate this growth.

The forum noted that the overspends are all within the High Needs Block of the DSG due to increased demand for High Needs placements and services via growing numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans, an increase in the cost of high needs placements and services, and a funding envelope that hasn't always kept up with these factors.

The forum also noted the latest DSG forecast.

Free School Meal (FSM) Trends

The forum discussed the report Item 5. FSM Trends - October 2025 on Free School Meal (FSM) Trends, presented by Gareth Evans, Assistant Director. The report discussed current trends around FSM eligibility and deprivation in Wandsworth schools.

Despite a decline in overall pupil numbers, the number of children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) has risen sharply. In January 2018, 4,560 children attending Wandsworth schools were eligible for FSM, increasing to over 10,000 by January 2025. This includes all age groups from nursery up to Year 14.

The report highlighted that increasing deprivation has a profound impact on schools, affecting educational outcomes and the broader wellbeing of pupils. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds face significantly higher exclusion rates, poorer mental health, and lower attendance.

The forum was informed that as Wandsworth's Local Funding Formula (LFF) moves towards the National Funding Formula (NFF), less funding will be distributed (as a percentage) through deprivation factors, impacting schools with the highest number of children eligible for FSM.

The forum noted the current situation in relation to pupil numbers on roll and deprivation in the Borough, that as the Local Funding Formula (LFF) moves towards the National Funding Formula (NFF), less funding will be distributed (as a percentage) through deprivation factors, and that this will impact schools with the highest number of children eligible for FSM, which are the schools which have already seen the largest falls in pupil numbers.

Nursery Inclusion Project for All (NIPA) - Update

Andy Fish, Inclusion Service Manager, provided an update on the Nursery Inclusion Project for All (NIPA). The project aims to provide targeted support to children with special educational needs in nursery settings.

The forum was informed that 108 pupils received targeted support during the 2024-25 academic year, with individual progress tracked across communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and physical development. The report Item 6. NIPA End of Year Report Sept 2025 included feedback from commissioned providers, NIPA settings, and families, as well as updated tracking on previous NIPA cohorts and financial information.

The forum also reviewed the Appendix 3 NIPA report cards Aug 25 and the Appendix 4 Effective Practice Case Study.

The forum noted the report for information.

Responsive Supported Officer

The forum reviewed a report Item 7. Responsive Support Officer - Oct 25 presented by Deborah Johnson, Assistant Director SEND and Inclusion, regarding the proposed Responsive Support Offer. The offer aims to provide support, training, tools, and interventions to schools to meet the needs of children with complex needs.

The report highlighted the increasing number of children presenting with complex profiles in settings and the importance of reviewing support offers to ensure this complexity is understood and well managed. The proposed Responsive Support Offer aims to sustain, stabilise, and maintain placements through a multi-agency holistic approach.

The forum noted the report for information.

Appointment of Vice Chair

Jared Brading from Sacred Heart RC (Battersea) and St Mary’s RC Primary Schools was elected as Vice Chair.