The North Northamptonshire Schools Forum meeting scheduled for 16 October 2025 was set to cover a wide range of financial and operational matters concerning local schools. Key discussions were expected to include updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), school balances, early years funding, and policies related to school conditions and exclusions. The forum was also scheduled to consider proposals for de-delegating funds for services such as school effectiveness, trade union facilities, and insurance.

2025-26 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Monitoring Update

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the financial position of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2025-26 academic year. The report indicated a projected overall underspend of £741,000 against the net budget of £446.680 million. However, the High Needs Block was identified as a significant pressure point, forecasting an overspend of £1.480 million against its agreed deficit budget. The report detailed the breakdown of spending within the High Needs Block, highlighting pressures in areas such as mainstream top-ups, special schools, and SEN units, while noting underspends in alternative provision and independent provision. The cumulative deficit for the DSG was projected to reach £40.040 million by the end of the financial year.

2025-26 Schools Monitoring Update

A report was scheduled to inform the Schools Forum about the current year's budget position for maintained schools, based on the first five months of the financial year (April to August 2025), and to provide an anticipated year-end balance forecast. The report noted that 32 out of 33 maintained schools had submitted their budget plans, with Alfred Lord Tennyson School being the exception. A limitation of the forecast was acknowledged due to an impending pay award for support staff and teachers. The report included a table detailing the income and expenditure for various schools, highlighting those operating in deficit. Nine schools were identified as being in deficit as of Period 5.

2025-26 Pupil Growth Fund Update

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the Pupil Growth Fund (PGF), which provides revenue funding for schools to establish new school places. The report outlined the PGF rates for 2025-26, based on average teacher costs, and detailed how funding is allocated in tranches. It also provided a forecast of pupil growth expenditure for 2025-26 and projections for 2026-27 and 2027-28, indicating planned increases in both primary and secondary school places across various areas of North Northamptonshire, largely driven by housing developments.

School Condition Allocation Funding and Prioritisation Policy 2025-2029

A report was scheduled to present the proposed School Condition Allocation (SCA) Funding and Prioritisation Policy for 2025-2029. The SCA is a capital grant from the Department for Education (DfE) intended for maintaining and improving the condition of maintained schools' buildings and grounds, with a focus on health and safety and compliance. The policy outlines categories for works: Compliance (Category 1), Condition (Category 2), and Essential Refurbishment (Category 3). It details the process for developing the SCA programme through condition surveys, assessment, and prioritisation of works, including a contingency for emergency repairs.

2025-26 Early Years Update

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive an update on Early Years funding and provision. This included information on the planned expansion of free childcare hours to 30 hours per week for working parents of children aged 9 months and upwards from September 2025. The report also detailed changes to the SENIF Plus funding, which will be rebranded as Early Years SENIF Band C funding from September, aiming to support more children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within the childcare sector.

2025-26 Permanent Exclusions Update

A report was scheduled to provide an update on the policy for clawing back funding from schools and academies that permanently exclude pupils. This policy aligns with current legislation and government guidance. The report outlined the statutory formulas for budget share deductions, including categories such as basic needs funding, free school meals, and pupil premium. The consultation proposal was to continue aligning the Local Authority policy with current legislation and government guidance regarding funding clawback for permanently excluded pupils.

2026-27 LA Commission Outreach Services - Update

The meeting was to be updated on the commissioning of Outreach services for SEND. The current contracts for these services are ending, necessitating a new procurement process for delivery from September 2026. A meeting with current providers had taken place to inform them of the intention to seek permission for a procurement process, subject to executive decision. The report highlighted the benefits of a formal procurement exercise, including ensuring compliance, transparency, value for money, and the potential for innovation and improved service quality.

2025-26 High Needs Update

A report was scheduled to provide an update on the High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2025-26. The HNB budget was set at £85.1 million, including an in-year pressure of £19.4 million. The forecast outturn suggested an overspend of £1.5 million by the end of the financial year. The report identified the causes of this projected overspend, including a high number of statutory assessment requests leading to an increase in EHCPs, challenges in securing mainstream school places, parental preference for specialist settings, and rising fees from independent special schools. Mitigation strategies were also outlined, such as 'Bring Backs' to avoid independent placements and efforts to increase the number of state-funded specialist places.

2026-27 Schools Balance Control Policy Consultation

The Schools Forum was to consider and potentially approve the proposed School Balance Control Policy for the 2026-27 financial year. This policy outlines restrictions on surplus balances held by schools, with a general limit of 10% of the budget share for maintained nursery, primary, secondary, and special schools. For balances exceeding this percentage, schools would need to meet specific criteria and provide justification through a 'Surplus Balance Analysis Form'. The policy details circumstances under which a clawback of excess surplus balances could occur, such as failing to meet criteria or not submitting the analysis form within the prescribed timescale.

2026-27 Transfer from Schools Block to High Needs Block Consultation

A report was scheduled to seek the Schools Forum's agreement in principle to transfer 0.5% or more from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block for the 2026-27 financial year. This proposal stems from increasing cost pressures on the High Needs Block, which has a cumulative deficit of £20.890 million. The report highlighted the rising number of EHCPs, inflationary pressures, and a shortage of local special school places leading to increased reliance on costly independent placements. A consultation on this proposed transfer was planned.

2026-27 De-Delegation: School Effectiveness Service Proposal

The meeting was to consider a proposal regarding the de-delegation of funding for the School Effectiveness Service for maintained schools for 2026-27. The School Effectiveness Team (SET) is funded from the Central Schools Services Block of the DSG and provides support for school improvement, leadership development, and governor training. The report detailed the SET's activities and impact during the 2024-25 academic year, including universal, strategic, and targeted support. The proposal was to increase the de-delegation rate to £14.02 per pupil, reflecting an inflationary increase in teachers' pay.

2026-27 De-Delegation: Trade Union Facilities Time Proposal

A proposal was scheduled for consideration regarding the de-delegation of funding for Trade Union Facilities Time for maintained schools for 2026-27. This arrangement ensures that maintained schools and the Council meet their legal obligations regarding trade union representation. The report outlined the legal context of facility time and the benefits of a pooled arrangement, including cost-effectiveness and consistency. Two options were presented for the per-pupil rate: retaining the current £4.00 rate, which would reduce available facilities time due to inflationary pressures, or increasing it to £4.16 per pupil, in line with the teacher's pay settlement.

2026-27 De-Delegation: School Insurance Service Consultation

The Schools Forum was to be consulted on the continuation of de-delegated insurance services for maintained primary and secondary schools for 2026-27. The current insurance arrangements are accessed via the Schools and Academies Insurance Framework (SAIF), with Zurich Municipal as the provider. The report compared the SAIF scheme's cover and benefits to the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), highlighting areas where SAIF offers enhanced cover. It also discussed market conditions and presented per-pupil pricing for both SAIF and RPA schemes. Two options were presented: agreeing to de-delegation with the proviso that Zurich's terms are cost-effective compared to the RPA, or making the service a fully traded option for all settings.

2026-27 Growth Fund Budget Proposals Consultation

This item was scheduled to discuss proposals for the 2026-27 Growth Fund budget. The report provided an update on the allocation of the Pupil Growth Fund for 2025-26 and outlined projected growth for 2026-27 and 2027-28, indicating the need for additional primary and secondary school places in various areas due to housing developments and in-year migration.

2026-27 Falling Pupil Roll Fund Budget Proposal Consultation

This agenda item was scheduled to discuss proposals for the 2026-27 Falling Pupil Roll Fund budget.

2026-27 Top-Up Funding Bandings Proposals Consultation

The Schools Forum was to be informed about the Council's intention to review the SEND funding arrangements in North Northamptonshire. This review is prompted by an unprecedented growth in EHCP awards and historic funding methodologies that may not reflect current best practices. The report highlighted inequities in current funding arrangements and the pressure on the High Needs Block. It was suggested that reviewing the SEND banding and funding arrangements would support strategic developments, potentially incentivising mainstream schools to open Additional Resourced Provisions and SEND Units, thereby creating more cost-effective local specialist places. The review process was anticipated to take at least one year.

Urgent Business

This item was reserved for any urgent matters that needed to be discussed at the meeting.