The Schools Forum meeting scheduled for 4 March 2026 was set to cover a range of important financial and operational matters concerning schools in Enfield. Key discussions were expected to include updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2025/26, proposals for the Scheme for Financing Schools for 2026/27, and annual reports from various educational support services.

Annual and Update Reports

Several services were scheduled to provide annual or update reports to the Forum:

• Enfield Advisory Service for Autism (EASA): Presented by Ms Rachel Walker, this report was expected to detail the service's activities and impact for the 2024-25 financial year. EASA, an outreach department of Russet House School, provides multidisciplinary support to autistic children and young people aged 0-25 in Enfield. The service works with educational settings, professionals, and families, offering advice, training, and targeted support. The report highlighted significant cost savings and positive impacts, such as preventing potential Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) costs and improving pupil outcomes in schools.
• Nurture Groups: Ms Julia Hide was due to present the annual summary report for 2024-2025. Nurture Groups aim to support children with attachment difficulties linked to early trauma, focusing on building trusting relationships to enhance social, emotional, and academic development. The report indicated that these groups are highly valued by host schools and deliver positive outcomes.
• Secondary Behaviour Support Service (SBSS): Mr Mervin Cato was scheduled to present the annual report for 2024-2025. The SBSS provides support to secondary schools for students with additional needs (not EHCPs), focusing on inclusion and education. The service reported a sixth consecutive year with zero permanent exclusions among students supported by its Outreach team and highlighted a strong success rate in managed moves.
• The Primary Behaviour Support Service (SWERRL): Mr Mark Maidens was to present the annual summary report for 2024-2025. SWERRL is Enfield's specialist multi-disciplinary team supporting primary schools with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, operating with a trauma-informed perspective. The service has contributed to maintaining zero permanent exclusions for primary pupils for ten consecutive years.
• Enfield Communication Advisory Support Service (ECASS): Ms Cigdem Alkan, Service Lead, was to present the 2024-2025 annual report. ECASS is a multidisciplinary service supporting children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), bridging the gap between education and health. The service has demonstrated significant improvements in education, inclusion, and finance, including a reduction in EHCP applications and substantial cost savings.
• Orchardside School: Ms Celeste Faye was scheduled to present a report on the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) for 2025-2026. Orchardside School provides Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 support for students in Years 7-11, addressing educational, behavioural, and pastoral needs. The report was expected to cover school roll data, EHCP profiles, social care needs, reintegration success rates, and Year 11 outcomes.
• Managing School Roll in London (London Councils): Mr Neil Best was to present a report on school place forecasts and the implications of declining pupil numbers. The report highlighted a projected decline in demand for school places across London boroughs and discussed the impact on school budgets, standards, and pupil attainment. It also made recommendations to the Department for Education regarding funding, place planning, and admissions.

Financial Updates and Policy Review

The Forum was also set to discuss and potentially make decisions on key financial matters:

• 2025/26 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Q3 Funding Update: Ms Melissa Williamson, Strategic Finance Manager, was to present an update on the 2025/26 DSG allocations and the Quarter 3 budget monitoring forecast. The report indicated an expected overspend in the High Needs Block, contributing to a cumulative DSG deficit forecast.
• Scheme for Financing Schools 2026/27: Mr Nick Basye, Head of Finance – Education & Schools, was to present proposed updates to the Scheme for Financing Schools for the 2026/27 financial year. This review aimed to ensure alignment with statutory guidance, reflect best practice, and maintain consistency with Council policies. A consultation on these proposed updates was underway.

Workplan and Future Meetings

The Forum was also scheduled to review its workplan for the upcoming year and note the dates of future meetings. Discussions under Any Other Business were anticipated to cover school procurement issues and the effectiveness of meeting formats.