Agenda item

Tony Madden went through two reports: one which was tabled at the meeting and one circulated previously.

One report was seeking approval from Schools Forum for a mechanism for funding additional school places over and above the existing Planned Admissions Number (PAN) of schools, when requested by Slough to meet Basic Need requirements (set out in paragraph 5.3 of the report). 

The other report was to set out the overall requirement for the 2016/17 Growth Fund of £1.1 million and to seek approval to fund this from the Schools Block budget.

Tony Madden went through the process and reports.

The total demand is currently forecast at £1.25 million and it was noted that the likely carry forward from 2015-16 is estimated as £150k.

The Growth Fund will fund bulge classes, permanent expansion, and new places in excess of PAN in both primary and secondary (e.g. +2 per class in primary, places over PAN in secondary).

It was noted that where AWPU was the basis of funding, this would be based on 2015/16 values.

Academies taking additional pupils in 2016-17 are not funded for the summer term as the Growth Fund works on April-April financial year. This will need to be a first call on the 2017-18 Growth Fund allocation. 

Schools Forum agreed to formalise the funding but also agreed that the criteria should be brought back to the March meeting for formal agreement and further updates are to be given in year on the Growth Fund.