Agenda item

The Chair explained there were two papers, the first giving details of the 2021-22 Schools’ Block (SB) consultation, including responses and outcomes. The second paper provided more information about the request to transfer £100,000 to Admissions, as part of the consultation.

The consultation had run from 16 -24 November and had asked schools whether there should be a move to full NFF or to remain at 85%.  The consultation responses had been in favour of the move to full NFF which had been supported and was recommended to Schools Forum by the 5-16 Task Group. It was added that the final decision regarding the move to full NFF sat with the LA. More information would be available when the settlement was received and, until the funding was known, the figures were provisional.

A further request to transfer £600,000 from SB to High Needs Block (HNB) had not been endorsed by the Task Group.  It was noted the Task Group had not reached their recommendation due to a lack of recognition of the pressures on the HNB, but due to the DfE’s stance. Opinion had been spilt in the consultation on the request to transfer £100,000 from SB to the Central School Services Block (CSSB) in order to support the Admissions team.

The Chair thanked Susan Woodland for all her work and support to the two Task Group meetings which had been held to consider the consultation recommendations.

Schools Forum ENDORSED:

the Task Group’s recommendation to move to full NFF or as close as the final settlement would allow

and,

the Task Group’s recommendation to reject the transfer to the HNB.

It was noted that if the LA did not agree with a decision made by Schools Forum they could apply to the Secretary of State requesting a transfer of the monies concerned. On behalf of Schools Forum, the Chair acknowledged this. 

Susan Woodland was asked to provide Schools Forum with an update at the next meeting.

Johnny Kyriacou was invited to summarise his report and he confirmed that Admissions was a crucial statutory service which now fell within his remit.  Feedback from schools had resulted in a review of need which had established that the team structure had not changed and was no longer fit for purpose.  The breadth of schools and pupil numbers had increased, with admissions becoming more complex whilst the LA retained a role even with schools who were their own admission authority. More sophisticated systems were now required to support vulnerable families and the appeals process, which were weak areas. The proposal to expand the team and change the structure would give the service the capacity to deliver as well as offer support to Fair Access and transport for SEN pupils. 

The LA would fund the proposed new Group Manager role and support two further roles plus a Customer Service team.  The request to Schools Forum for £100,000 was to fund additional, supporting posts and on-costs within the new structure. It was suggested it would have been useful for the request to be supported by a breakdown of costs.

In answer to a query, it was confirmed that home/school transport sat with Attendance in Michael Jarrett’s SBC team and that the new structure now linked close working between Admissions and Attendance.

10.00am: Chris McNab left the meeting

Johnny Kyriacou assured Forum that the changes were required in order to ensure SBC was compliant in meeting the national admissions code. It was anticipated admission numbers would increase in Slough over the next 10 years, rather than decline. There were a number of new builds expected, due to the Slough regeneration plans and the proposed structure would support this growth.

It was queried whether vulnerable children would be at greater risk if the fund transfer were not agreed. It was confirmed if the funds were not available the team would continue to offer only the statutory minimum. The majority of schools had made a case for an improved service and the proposals would support the increased number of children coming into the system with complex needs.

It was agreed the new proposed post was important but should be kept under review every 12 months. As SBC had to report annually on admissions to the Schools Adjudicator, it was requested that an annual report also be presented to Schools Forum for their consideration along with the request for an annual fund transfer. Within this it was asked that any evaluation should include a survey of schools in order to monitor progress. It was added that the intention was to introduce an Admissions Forum to promote feedback.

10.05am: Navroop Mehat left the meeting

Susan Woodland pointed out that it might not be possible to move to full NFF until the final settlement was known and that the £100,000 requested could make a difference. In addition, as yet, there was no definitive information received on the Teachers’ Pay and Pension grant.  Although there were a number of scenarios it was not anticipated the £100,000 would affect affordability.  Until the final figures were known, the full NFF might not be achievable.

Johnny Kyriacou confirmed that as SBC was in the middle of a transformation period the proposed structure had been included in consultations.  It was noted that the 5-16 Task Group had recognised the need for re-structure and to support vulnerable children which they recommended to Schools Forum.

Schools Forum APPROVED the transfer of £100,000 from SB to CSSB.