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Schools Forum - Thursday, 9 July 2026 - 1.00 pm
July 9, 2026 at 1:00 pm Schools Forum View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The North Northamptonshire Schools Forum met on Thursday 9 July 2026 to discuss various financial and operational matters concerning local schools. Key decisions included the amendment of the Forum's Terms of Reference, the noting of financial updates, and the agreement to establish a High Needs Reference Group.
Schools Forum Terms of Reference
The Schools Forum agreed to several amendments to its draft Terms of Reference. It was decided that the reference to Maintained Alternative Provision would be removed, as no such provision exists within North Northamptonshire. It was also noted that Latimer Arts College is the sole Maintained Secondary School in the area. Furthermore, the Terms of Reference will be updated to reflect the existing practice of annually appointing the Chair and Vice Chair through a vote of the Forum members. A final version of the updated Terms of Reference will be presented for agreement in October 2026, following review by relevant officers.
Director of Education, SEND and Inclusion Update
Annita Gray, the Director of Education, SEND, and Inclusion, provided an update on the Directorate's senior structure, confirming it is now fully staffed. She also reported that the SEND Reform Plan submission was completed on time, with the Schools Forum included in its structure. The Forum agreed to the establishment of a non-decision-making High Needs Reference Group, which will meet termly from October 2026 to provide additional focus on this area. A draft agenda and Terms of Reference for this group will be circulated in advance of the October meeting. The Forum also noted that an anticipated Care Quality Commission (CQC) visit had not yet occurred, and a monitoring visit related to the Priority Action Plan is now expected in the Autumn term. Positive news was shared regarding the ILACS (Inspection of Local Area Children's Services) results, which achieved 'Outstanding' for leadership and 'Good' in all other categories.
2025 - 2026 Dedicated Schools Grant Outturn Update
The Forum received an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) outturn for 2025-2026. The Senior Finance Business Partner reported an in-year deficit of £21,309,000 and a cumulative deficit of £42,681,000, with the High Needs Block being the most significant area of pressure. The Forum sought confirmation regarding the timing and mechanism for receiving the High Needs Stability Grant, with the Director of Education, SEND, and Inclusion cautioning that approval from the Department for Education (DfE) was not guaranteed. Concerns were raised about whether the grant would negatively impact surpluses in other areas and if there were mechanisms to mitigate deficits set beyond the current year. The DfE has brought forward the Section 251 outturn submission to the end of July 2026 for scrutiny. The Forum was assured that any surplus or deficit would be carried by all four blocks into the new financial year, and the High Needs Stability Grant would focus specifically on the High Needs Block deficit, with expenditure eligibility criteria being rigorously checked.
2025 - 2026 Schools Outturn Update
Cathryn Walker, the Schools Support Team Manager, presented the Schools Outturn Update, highlighting a decrease in overall balances for the 33 maintained schools from £3,289,000 to £2,916,000. Ten schools were in deficit at the end of the financial year. The Forum discussed options for supporting schools with long-standing deficits, with assurances that some schools had shown improvement. The reimplementation of panels and the potential issuance of 'Cause for Concern' letters were noted as means to challenge schools with deficits that are not improving. Regular monitoring of schools' compliance with recovery plans is in place, and four schools demonstrating a lack of clear improvement will be prioritised for challenge to their Governors. Three nursery settings have had their recovery plans deferred by one year due to reductions in pupil numbers.
Schools Forum Forward Plan
The Chair confirmed that the draft Terms of Reference would be presented at the October 2026 meeting. Forum members requested that sufficiency data be included within the Growth Funding data to provide better oversight of fund allocation and rationale. The Head of Access and Sufficiency confirmed this data could be provided for the October meeting. The Forum agreed to add the draft Terms of Reference to the Forward Plan for October 2026 and noted the Forward Plan.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of the meetings held on 12 March 2026 and 3 June 2026 were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings. The Director of Education, SEND, and Inclusion will provide the Governance Officer with the final version of the SEND Reform Plan submission for circulation to Forum members.
Schools Forum Membership
The Director of Education, SEND, and Inclusion provided an update on current membership, highlighting representation gaps and ongoing work to review tenures. The Forum noted the challenges in membership recruitment and the need for both the Council and members to support recruitment efforts. The Director of Education confirmed she would contact specific provider types to seek representatives. The Governance Officer clarified that the three-year term limit in the Terms of Reference includes an 'in general' proviso, allowing for flexibility and continuity.
2026 - 2027 Dedicated Schools Grant Funding Update
The Senior Finance Business Partner presented an update on the 2026-2027 Dedicated Schools Grant funding. Following the submission of a business case to the DfE, North Northamptonshire Council received an additional £62,800 for the Central Schools Block, related to premature retirement costs. The Forum noted this update.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Schools Forum Forward Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum decided to approve recommendations on 09/07/2026. The draft Terms of Reference were added to the Forward Plan for October 2026, and the Head of Access and Sufficiency will provide a data breakdown of Growth Funding elements with available sufficiency data to future meetings.
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2026 - 2027 Dedicated Schools Grant Funding Update
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council noted the update on the 2026-2027 Dedicated Schools Grant funding on 09 July 2026. The forum was informed of a revised DSG allocation resulting in an additional £62.8k due to a successful business case submitted to the DFE for premature retirement costs.
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Schools Forum Membership
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council decided to note the update provided by the Director of Education, SEND, and Inclusion on 09/07/2026.
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Schools Forum Terms of Reference
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council approved recommendations on 09/07/2026. It was resolved to remove reference to Maintained Alternative Provision, note Latimer Arts College as the sole Maintained Secondary School, and amend the Terms of Reference to reflect annual election of the Chair and Vice Chair by members.
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Director of Education, SEND and Inclusion Update
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum decided to approve recommendations on 09/07/2026. The Director of Education, SEND, and Inclusion will circulate a draft agenda and Terms of Reference for a proposed High Needs Reference Group.
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Minutes of the meetings held on 12 March 2026 and 3 June 2026, and points arising/officer feedback
Recommendations ApprovedThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council approved the minutes of meetings held on 12 March 2026 and 3 June 2026 on 09 July 2026. The Director of Education, SEND, and Inclusion will provide the Governance Officer with the final SEND Reform Plan submission for circulation to Forum members.
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Any Other Urgent Business
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council on Thursday 09 July 2026 resolved to note thanks to Scrutiny Officer, Raj Sohal. The meeting was then closed.
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Apologies for non-attendance, Forum membership changes, and declarations of interest
Information OnlySchools Forum decided to note apologies for non-attendance from three members. No updates to Forum membership or declarations of interest were made.
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2025 - 2026 Schools Outturn Update
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council noted an update on schools' outturn for 2025-2026 on 09 July 2026. The update detailed that schools drew on reserves during the year, with total revenue and capital balances reducing from £3.289m to £2.916m.
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2025 - 2026 Dedicated Schools Grant Outturn Update
Information OnlyThe Schools Forum of North Northamptonshire Council noted the update provided by the Strategic Finance Business Partner on 09 July 2026. The forum noted the Dedicated Schools Grant forecast for 2025-26, including an underspend in the Schools Block and pressures in the High Needs Block.
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