The Wiltshire Schools Forum met on Thursday 11 December 2025 to discuss the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget monitoring for the 2025-26 financial year, and to consider proposals for the 2026-27 financial year concerning de-delegation of services, the national funding formula, pupil growth funding, and potential transfers between the schools and high needs blocks.

Dedicated Schools Grant Budget Monitoring 2025-26

The forum received an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget monitoring for the 2025-26 financial year, as of quarter two (September 2025). A forecast overspend of £12.892 million is projected for the overall schools budget, even after a planned transfer of £36.513 million from the deficit reserve. This overspend is largely driven by pressures within the High Needs block, which is projected to overspend by £19.069 million. The Early Years block, however, is forecast to underspend by £5.927 million due to lower than expected uptake in some areas. The overall DSG reserve is projected to be in a deficit position of £104.530 million by the end of the financial year.

De-delegation of Centrally Provided Services for Maintained Schools 2026-27

Consultation results regarding the de-delegation of centrally provided services for maintained schools for the 2026-27 financial year were presented. The consultation, which saw a 73.2% response rate from maintained schools, indicated an overwhelming preference for retaining de-delegated services. The forum noted that the majority of primary and secondary schools favoured de-delegation for services such as Free School Meal eligibility checks, licences, trade union costs, maternity costs, and school improvement services.

National Funding Formula for Schools 2026-27

The forum was asked to make in principle decisions regarding Wiltshire's funding formula for the 2026-27 year, in light of the Department for Education's (DfE) published National Funding Formula (NFF) arrangements. The NFF for 2026-27 includes a 2.11% increase to core funding factors, with a 1.66% uplift for the free school meal factor. The Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) is to be set between -0.5% and 0%, and minimum per-pupil funding levels are set at £5,115 for primary and £6,640 for secondary schools. The forum also considered the continuation of funding for exceptional circumstances related to rent for seven Wiltshire schools, which is cost-neutral to the council as it is funded by the DfE.

Dedicated Schools Budget - Central Schools Services Block Update 2026-27

An update was provided on the Central Schools Services Block (CSSB) budget for 2026-27. The provisional allocation for Wiltshire is £3.056 million. The report highlighted a reduction in funding for historic commitments due to a 20% annual reduction by the DfE. While protections are in place for ongoing responsibilities, with a maximum per-pupil reduction of 2.5% and permitted gains at 2.13%, the reduction in historic commitments means a planned transfer to support the High Needs block is no longer affordable.

Allocation of Funding for Pupil Growth 2026-27

The forum was asked to agree on the methodology for allocating funding for pupil growth from the schools block growth fund for 2026-27. The proposed criteria for the growth fund remain unchanged from previous years, covering new school allowances, class expansions for basic need, and increases due to infant class size regulations. The report also presented the option of establishing a Falling Rolls Fund, a concept Wiltshire has historically resisted. The DfE now allocates funding based on both growth and falling rolls, with specific criteria for eligibility.

Schools Block Transfer 2026-27 - Consultation Outcome Report

The outcomes of a consultation on the proposal to transfer 1% of schools block funding to the high needs block for 2026-27 were presented. The consultation revealed that the majority of respondents (62%) did not support a transfer of funding. Of those who did support a transfer, 51% did not favour the proposed 1% amount. The primary reason cited for opposing the transfer was the potential financial impact on individual school budgets. The report noted that this stance differs from previous years where schools had indicated support for an affordable transfer that did not impact National Funding Formula (NFF) values. The forum was asked to consider whether to seek further views on the principle of a transfer that does not impact on school budgets.