The Schools' Forum meeting scheduled for 17 November 2025 was set to discuss the council's constitution, the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget monitoring for 2025/26, and the proposed funding formula for 2026/27. The forum was also scheduled to review recommendations from the High Needs Budget Review Group and receive an update on early years deprivation overpayments.

The 2025 Constitution

The forum was scheduled to consider an amended constitution for the Schools' Forum. The proposed changes included updating a reference from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to the Department for Education, reflecting the disbandment of the ESFA. The report pack indicated that the Schools Forum was recommended to approve this updated constitution.

Recommendations from the High Needs Budget Review Group

The meeting was scheduled to review recommendations from the High Needs Budget Review Group (HNBRG). This included proposals for increasing the top-up funding for Ormiston Kensington Queensmill by £4,000, to be applied from July 2025. The HNBRG also noted financial difficulties faced by St Charles Sixth Form College, with a funding shortfall of up to £114,000. The report pack indicated that the Schools' Forum was asked to endorse proposals for the delivery of the Fairer Futures SEND Strategy 2025-2030 and to note concerns regarding sixth form colleges.

Update on Early Years Deprivation Overpayments in 2024/25

An update was scheduled regarding overpayments of deprivation funding in the 2024/25 financial year. The report indicated that an error in the funding portal, Synergy, led to the incorrect application of deprivation weighting based on IDACI and IMD deciles 1-6, which encompass the 60% most deprived areas, rather than the Department for Education's defined bands (A-F) covering the 37.5% most deprived areas. This resulted in an overpayment of £302,949. The report outlined the calculation of these overpayments and the proposed repayment options for providers. The Schools' Forum was asked to note the clawback arrangements.

Dedicated Schools Grant Budget Monitoring 2025/26 and Forecast School Balances

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on the revised Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation for 2025/26, which stood at £87.387 million. The report detailed changes to the DSG allocation since March 2025, including reductions in the Early Years block and Schools Block, and an increase in the High Needs allocation. The monitoring report indicated a projected in-year DSG surplus of £64,000, which would reduce the cumulative DSG deficit from £3.287 million to £3.223 million by the end of March 2026. Information on forecast school balances was also to be presented, noting a reduction in the total reserves held by schools and an increase in the number of schools forecast to be in deficit.

2026/27 Dedicated School Grant Position and Local Funding Formula Review

The meeting was set to address the position of the 2026/27 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and review options for the local funding formula. The report noted the delay in the publication of national funding formula allocations for 2026/27. Three options for the local funding formula were presented for consultation, each involving a further move towards the National Funding Formula (NFF) factor values. The report indicated that officers viewed Option 1, which represented the minimum move required by the Department for Education, as the most suitable, aligning with the agreed principles of consistency, fairness, and limiting the impact of the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG). The Schools' Forum was asked to review updated figures and agree which of the three local funding formula options to support.