The Haringey Schools Forum was scheduled to discuss early years funding, the Education Welfare Service, high needs funding, the Safety Valve Programme¹ and school block funding.

Schools Block Funding Consultation 2026/27

The Schools Forum was scheduled to discuss the proposed school funding formula for the 2026-27 financial year. A consultation was launched inviting feedback from all Haringey schools on the proposed changes. Due to delays in receiving provisional allocations for 2026-27, the consultation was based on the principles applied in last year's Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding formula, adopting 100% of the National Funding Formula (NFF) factor values.

The key areas of consideration were:

• Local authorities setting a Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) in local formulas, which for 2026-27 must be between 0% and -0.5%.
• Local authorities transferring up to 0.5% of their total Schools Block allocation to other blocks within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), subject to Schools Forum approval.
• Schools with split sites remaining eligible for basic funding.
• Growth and Falling Rolls funding continuing to be incorporated into the formula.

Schools were asked to provide feedback on the following proposals:

• A 0.5% block transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block (HNB) to support SEND growth, as part of the Safety Valve Programme Agreement with the DfE.
• A Growth/Falling Rolls Funding budget of £300,000.
• A block transfer of £122,000 for the Education Welfare Service.
• A de-delegated budget from maintained schools for Trade Union Facilities time of £210,000.

High Needs Block (HNB) Section 251 Report

The Schools Forum was scheduled to note the Section 251 (S251) commissioned specialist places at Haringey Special schools and Special Free School, Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARPs), Alternative Provision delivered through Haringey Learning Partnership (HLP), South Grove, The Finch (Fortismere), Haringey 6th form and the Harrington scheme for 2025-26.

The report detailed the number of special school places funded under the minimum funded guarantee (MFG) budgeted for 2025/26, as well as the number of funded Top Ups under the minimum funded guarantee (MFG) budgeted for 2025/26.

The report also provided an update on Additional Resource Provisions (ARPs), which are enhanced resource provisions within mainstream schools. Pupils attending ARPs are part funded from Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU) of c£4,000, plus Element 2 funding (£6k) from the school's block.

The report stated that the local authority commissions 631 special school places totalling £4.985m (less recoupment) for 2025/26.

The report also detailed the deductions taken from the HNB Budget and passported directly to Academies, Free Schools and Post 16 Provisions for 2025/26.

Safety Valve Programme Update

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive an update on the Safety Valve Programme, including progress on demand management, commissioning and capital projects, and culture, governance and leadership.

The report included a summary of safety valve projects:

• Speech, Language & Communication
• Autism
• Social, Emotional Mental Health pathway
• Thresholds and Annual Reviews
• SEND Supported Internships
• Early Years
• Primary ASC capital
• Secondary and post 16 ASC capital
• Complex needs capital
• Alternative Provision (oversight)
• Placements (including post 16)
• Bandings and Top Ups
• Core standards
• Culture change
• Process mapping
• Work Force Development

The report stated that the aim of these projects is to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and through the implementation of an early intervention and graduated approach which will reduce the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to be in line with London and National averages.

Early Years Block 2024-25 Final Outturn and 2025-26 Opening Update

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive an update on the final Early Years Block position for 2024/25, the opening Early Years Block published allocations for 2025/26, and the Early Years Block reserves position.

The report set out Haringey's Early Years Dedicated Schools Grant (EY DSG) allocations for 2024/2025.

The report stated that the final July 2025 EY DSG allocation confirms a £166k clawback, resulting in a final closing balance of £1,569,154.

The report also set out Haringey's EY DSG allocation based on July 2025 update from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

Early Years Working Party Update

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive the minutes from the Early Years Working Party (EYWP) meetings held on 2 October 2025, 16 October 2025 and 10 November 2025.

The 2 October 2025 minutes included a discussion of DfE updates, including the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Ofsted framework, further funded entitlements funded by the DfE, and further information on wrap around and school-based nurseries.

The 16 October 2025 minutes included a discussion of proposals for use of underspend.

The 10 November 2025 minutes included a discussion of the LEEP project².

Education Welfare Service

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive an update on the continued delivery of the Education Welfare Service (EWS) under the existing model, whereby all schools are provided with an enhanced core offer to reflect the Central Services Schools Block (CSSB) contribution to the service, and schools are also offered enhanced support through a traded service arrangement.

The report stated that overall absence and persistent absenteeism remain areas of concern in Haringey. In the 2024–2025 academic year, the overall absence rate in the primary phase was 5.5%, which is slightly higher than both the London average of 5.4% and the national average of 5.2%. The persistent absenteeism rate for primary pupils in Haringey stood at 15.8%, higher than the London average of 15.1% and the national rate of 13.5%.

The report also stated that the overall absence rate in Haringey's secondary schools is 7.8%, which is higher than the London average of 7.4%, but lower than the national average of 8.6%. The persistent absenteeism rate in the secondary phase stands at 24.5%, which is above both the London average of 22.3% and the national average of 24.3%.