Agenda item

Coral Miller presented a report to inform the Slough Schools Forum of the 2016-17 Growth Fund requirements: £1.1 million, an increase of £250,000 from the current year as there had been a need for 3 emergency bulge classes in November 2015, using the contingency. 

The proposal is for the Growth Fund criteria to include providing an additional 2 places above 30 to accommodate new arrivals, therefore reducing the need for future bulge classes in Key Stages 1 and 2.

Tony Madden explained SBC have encountered a 35% increase in applications. A ‘plus 2 places per class’ approach will benefit Slough by reducing the need for bulge classes and offer school places throughout the borough and not just at one or two schools which could accommodate additional bulge classes.

Nicky Willis asked if SBC would be intending to direct schools to take the extra 2 and Tony Madden said that SBC was not intending to (and could only do so for maintained schools in any case). It was clarified that it is possible, in exceptional circumstances, to go beyond 30 in a class at KS1.

It was noted that there are schools in Slough seeking to reduce their PAN as they are undersubscribed.

It was noted that the LA is also asking secondary schools to take above PAN and that the Growth Fund was established to meet needs in both phases although, to date, this has been in the primary phase only.

Schools Forum agreed in principle to the £1.1m.

There was discussion about the AWPU value used in modelling the 2016-17 requirements for the Growth Fund.  It was suggested that the 2015-16 AWPU value may be appropriate for 2016-17, possibly at full value for the bulge classes, but that this would need to be revisited as part of the January Schools Forum discussion and decision.

The revised criteria for accessing the Growth Fund is to be brought to the January Schools Forum for approval, including secondary places above PAN where they have been requested by the LA.  Revised figures also to be brought to the Schools Forum in January.

The under spend of £170k from this year was agreed to be used to be carried forward; this sum is expected to decrease significantly due to use in-year to fund the +2 places per class policy.

It was agreed that John Constable and Maggie Waller would follow up with Fiona Mactaggart regarding the lack of proper funding of all children from arrival in school.