The Redbridge Schools Forum meeting scheduled for 22 January 2026 was set to discuss the financial arrangements for schools in the upcoming academic year, including the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations for 2026-2027 and the setting of school budgets. The forum was also scheduled to review in-year monitoring reports for the current financial year and consider proposals for de-delegating certain services.

DSG Allocations and School Budget Setting 2026-2027

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations for the 2026-2027 academic year. The report outlined the proposed overall DSG allocation of £453.664 million, an increase of £20.680 million from the previous year. The Schools Block funding is set to increase by 3.1% to £322.274 million. The report detailed the National Funding Formula (NFF) factors for 2026-27, noting that the basic structure of the NFF remains unchanged. It was proposed to reduce the NFF basic entitlement per pupil rates by 1.062% to ensure affordability within the Schools Block. The meeting was also scheduled to consider the allocation of £0.129 million for the Growth Fund and £0.461 million for the Falling Rolls Fund, to be distributed according to established criteria. The Scheme for Financing Schools was also noted as being updated and due for presentation in March 2026.

In-Year DSG Monitoring 2025-2026

The forum was to receive an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) financial position as at Quarter 3 (December 2025) of the 2025-2026 financial year. The report indicated a projected overall overspend of £11.089 million on a total budget of £330.972 million. This overspend is primarily driven by the High Needs Block, which is forecasting an overspend of £11.517 million due to an increase in Education, Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and rising placement costs. The Schools Block is forecasting a small overspend of £0.025 million, while the Central Schools Service Block and Early Years Block are expected to be balanced. The report highlighted the risk associated with the cessation of the DSG Statutory Override in March 2028, which could necessitate funding overspends from the LA's General Fund.

Maintained Schools Budget Monitoring 2025-2026 - Updated Quarter 2 Figures

This report provided an update on the Quarter 2 budget monitoring returns from maintained schools. As of January 2026, returns had been received from 54 out of 59 maintained schools. The analysis indicated a forecast reduction in revenue reserves across maintained schools of £5.702 million, a 28% decrease. Six schools were projecting a deficit at the end of the financial year, with a total forecast deficit of £1.954 million. The report also highlighted that 33% of schools were forecasting to use a greater value of reserves in 2025-26 than they expect to have remaining at the end of the financial year, which could be an indicator of financial difficulty.

De-delegation 2026-2027

The meeting was scheduled to discuss proposed per pupil rates for de-delegated services for the 2026-27 academic year. These services, which are for maintained mainstream primary and secondary schools only, include support for Schools Causing Concern, Free School Meals eligibility, Staff Costs Supply Cover, Schools Contingency Fund, and School Improvement. A 2.60% increase per pupil was proposed for these services, in line with the Schools Block inflationary increase. The report detailed the proposed per pupil rates and the total forecast de-delegated budget based on the October 2025 pupil numbers. Appendix A provided additional information on Trade Union Facilities, Schools Causing Concern, School Improvement, and Free School Meals eligibility.

Services for Schools (Education Functions) 2026-2027

This report sought approval from Schools Forum for the continued central retention of the former Education Services Grant (ESG) elements within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). A per pupil contribution of £28.17 was proposed for LA Statutory Services for maintained mainstream schools and special schools and PRUs in 2026-27, an increase of £0.71 from the previous year. The report detailed the historical context of the ESG and the proposed breakdown of the central retention for various statutory services.

Central Schools Services Block and Historical Commitments 2026-2027

The forum was asked to approve line-by-line figures for the Central Schools Services Block (CSSB) for 2026-27. The CSSB covers funding for ongoing LA responsibilities and historical commitments. The total CSSB allocation for 2026-27 is £3.598 million, a decrease from £3.753 million in 2025-26. The report detailed the proposed allocations for ongoing duties, such as school admissions, pupil place planning, and education welfare, as well as historical commitments, including contributions to combined budgets and premature retirement costs.

Growth and Falling Rolls Fund 2026-2027

This report presented the proposed allocations for the Growth and Falling Rolls Fund for the 2026-27 financial year. The DfE recommended allocation is £0.129 million for the Growth Fund and £0.461 million for the Falling Rolls Fund. The meeting was to agree the methodology for distributing these funds, including specific criteria for schools to be supported by the Falling Rolls Fund, such as having numbers on roll less than 80% of their Planned Admission Number (PAN) and demonstrating a need for places within the next 3-5 years. Criteria for the Growth Fund were also outlined, including support for additional classes needed to meet infant class size regulations and the revenue costs of new schools.

Early Years Single Funding Formula Funding Arrangements 2026-2027

The meeting was to be advised on the early years arrangements for 2026/27 and consider the intention to distribute the Early Years (EY) block underspend/reserves to providers. The report proposed an amended pass-through rate of 97% for 3-4 year old children, an increase from 96% in 2025/26, with no further changes to the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF). Proposed centrally retained funding of £797,948.48 (3%) for three- and four-year-old entitlements, £459,876.03 (3%) for two-year-old entitlements, and £376,981.95 (3%) for children under 2 years of eligible working parents was also to be discussed. The forum was also asked for comment on the local allocation of the adjusted rate for the three- and four-year-old entitlement and to approve the distribution of the 2024/25 Early Years Block surplus.

High Needs Block Update

This report provided an update on the High Needs Funding Sub-Group and High Needs Block Allocations for 2026-27. It was noted that the DfE is temporarily suspending the high needs national funding formula (NFF) for 2026-27, with allocations based on 2025-26 figures, adjusted for import/export changes. The report highlighted that the Statutory Override for SEND spending now runs until 31 March 2028, and from 2028-29, central government will assume full responsibility for SEND spending, including the risk of overspend. The report also mentioned the upcoming publication of Local SEND Reform Plans.

Further Information Report

This item was scheduled to provide an update on the progress of actions assigned to LA officers following the previous Schools Forum meeting on 20 November 2025. Specific actions related to school condition maintenance programme, post-16 funding, EHCP data, the role of the High Needs Sub-group, reconciliation of school place appeal costs, reasons for DSG reductions, the SEN Action Plan, LA financial position updates, EYFS rates, school budget return deadlines, and trade union facility time were expected to be addressed.

Work Plan and Time and Date of Next Meeting

The forum was to review its work plan and confirm the dates of future meetings.

Any Other Business

This item was reserved for any other urgent matters that may arise.