The Devon Education Forum is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, to discuss a range of important educational matters. Key topics on the agenda include updates on inclusion and learning initiatives, financial reports concerning schools and high needs funding, and the quality of education offered to schools.

Inclusion and Learning Update

The forum will receive an update on Devon's progress towards creating an inclusive education system. This will include information on the success of the free school meals auto-enrolment initiative, which has secured an additional £5 million in funding for the Schools Block. The report will detail how locality teams are working with schools to address issues such as persistent absence, fixed-term exclusions, and the use of part-time timetables, using data to inform targeted interventions. The role of Inclusion Partners in ensuring effective relationships between schools and community support will also be highlighted, alongside plans to bring together Learning Communities for collaborative problem-solving. A Building Belonging Conference is planned to establish a shared vision for improving educational experiences for children, families, schools, and settings. The council's key areas of focus will be reducing child absence, supporting the effective use of part-time timetables, and continuing the reduction of exclusions and suspensions.

Finance and Funding

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to financial matters. The forum will review the minutes of the Schools Finance Group (SFG) and receive a comprehensive Finance Update. This update is expected to detail a projected overspend of £61.8 million on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), with particular pressures identified in SEN Mainstream (£9.1 million) due to an increase in Plus Packages and in Independent Special Schools (£7.9 million) due to a rise in learner numbers. The report will also cover the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit, which stands at £221.7 million, and the government's extension of the DSG statutory override until the end of the 2027/28 financial year. Discussions will also cover the Safety Valve Programme, which is set to end on 31 March 2026, and the forthcoming High Needs Stability Grant.

Furthermore, the forum will consider the 2026-27 Schools Funding Arrangements and Budget Planning. This will include details on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Settlement, the Schools Block, Central School Services Block, High Needs Block, and Early Years Block. The report indicates an increase in the Early Years Block allocation due to the expansion of childcare support for working parents and an increase in hourly funding rates. The forum will be asked to approve proposed Early Years funding rates for 2026/27 and note the changes to Dedicated Schools Grant funding for the same period. A report on the 'Growth Fund – Varying Pupil Numbers' will also be presented, outlining the requirement for Devon to present pupil variations to the schools' forum.

Education Quality and Inclusion Offer

The forum will be presented with Devon County Council's Education Quality and Inclusion (EQI) Core Offer for Schools. This offer is designed to be a locality-based, relational, and preventative partnership focused on inclusive practice, improved attendance, and reduced exclusions. Each school will have an allocated Inclusion Partner to strengthen inclusive leadership, support early risk identification, and broker multi-agency input. The offer aims to prevent permanent exclusions, reduce the use of part-time timetables, and support children at risk of disengagement. Schools will also receive support to strengthen their ordinarily available inclusive provision and participate in SEND and inclusion networks for shared learning. A statutory attendance offer will also be provided, aligned with local authority duties. The report will also update on the de-delegated offer for maintained schools, focusing on school-led improvement, locality engagement, and support for new headteachers.

High Needs Funding Framework Review

A significant agenda item is the update on the High Needs Funding Framework Review, specifically concerning Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) banding. A revised EHCP banding framework has been developed, moving from a provision-led to a needs-led assessment model based on clearly defined domains of need. This new framework aims to improve consistency and transparency in funding decisions, ensure funding more accurately reflects the level of need, and strengthen mainstream provision's capacity to support children with SEND. Funding values have been calculated using a comprehensive methodology, checked and ratified by school representatives. The report indicates that the transition to the revised framework will result in an additional cost pressure within the High Needs Block, with a phased implementation plan proposed from April 2026. The forum will be asked to endorse the revised EHCP Banding Framework, the proposed funding values, and the phased implementation plan. Consideration will also be given to a 'Band 10+' exceptional route for cases where Band 10 provision is insufficient.

Standing Groups and Other Matters

The forum will also review action and receive minutes from its standing groups, including the School Organisation, Capital and Admissions Group (SOCA). Updates from SOCA are expected to cover determined admission arrangements for 2027-28, noting that 94% of first-choice secondary school places were allocated. Discussions are anticipated regarding the sustainability of small rural schools and the ongoing response to the fire at The Promise School. A Capital Programme Update will also be presented, detailing progress on capital schemes and the School Rebuilding Programme 2026. Finally, the forum will receive any correspondence and note the dates of future meetings.