The Schools Forum of Camden Council was scheduled to consider a range of financial and operational matters concerning the borough's schools. Key discussions were expected to focus on the proposed school funding formula for 2027/28, an update on the High Needs Block for 2026/27, and a consultation on pupil place planning for Strong and Sustainable Schools. Additionally, the forum was scheduled to review early years funding schemes and take-up, as well as its own work programme and action tracker.

Responses to Consultation on School Funding Formula for 2027/28

The Schools Forum was scheduled to receive a report outlining the responses from primary and secondary schools regarding proposals for the local funding formula for the 2027/28 academic year. This followed a previous discussion in September 2026, where the forum had been favourable to a proposal suggesting no significant changes to the local formula, pending any statutory requirements from the Department for Education (DfE) or revisions to the National Funding Formula (NFF). The report was expected to confirm that no significant changes to the NFF for 2027/28 had been indicated by the DfE's policy document issued on 2nd October 2026. The forum was asked to confirm its earlier approval of the September 2026 consultation document, noting that there had been no significant objections from schools during the consultation period.

High Needs Block (HNB) 2026/27 Update

An update on the High Needs Block (HNB) projection for 2026/27 was scheduled to be presented, reflecting Quarter 2 budget monitoring. This update was expected to show a slight decrease in the in-year deficit, from £11.24 million reported in June 2026 to £10.95 million. The report was also scheduled to provide an update on the local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform plan, which had been approved by the Department for Education (DfE), and outline its implications over the next three years.

Pupil Place Planning - Strong and Sustainable Schools Consultation

The forum was scheduled to be informed about the Council's Strong and Sustainable Schools Consultation report, which had been approved by Cabinet on 20 October 2026. This report was to bring to the forum's attention the decision to launch a six-week consultation concerning four schools. The consultation was scheduled to commence on 2 November and run until 14 December 2026. A more detailed report on pupil place planning was anticipated for the February 2027 meeting, following consideration by the Children Schools and Families (CSF) Scrutiny Committee on 5 November 2026.

The consultation was to explore options for structural change at four identified schools experiencing significant pressures, including high surplus capacity, declining pupil rolls, operation below sustainable forms of entry, and significant financial deficits. The potential options for structural change included reducing Published Admission Numbers (PAN), amalgamation, school closure, or establishing a federation. The four schools identified for this consultation were La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School, St Alban's Church of England Primary School, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School.

Early Years Free Entitlement Funding Schemes and Take Up for Summer Term 2026

A report was scheduled to provide an update on the funding schemes in place to support children's access to early education and childcare. It was also to describe proposed changes to the Early Years Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding formula by the government and their likely implications for the borough. The report was expected to detail the take-up of various entitlements by provider type. This included information on the universal entitlement for 3- and 4-year-olds, the extended 30-hour entitlement for working parents, Camden's Enhanced Offer funded through the General Fund, and early learning for 2-year-olds. The report was also to cover funding for children under two, and the administration of the Camden Local Inclusion Fund (CLIF), which supports providers in meeting the needs of children with emerging special educational needs or disabilities.

Schools Forum Work Programme and Action Tracker

The Schools Forum was scheduled to review its work programme for the 2026/27 academic year, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report. Additionally, an update on actions requested at previous meetings was to be provided, detailed in Appendix 2 of the report. The work programme was to outline key reports intended for submission throughout the academic year, with the possibility of incorporating suggestions from meetings as the year progressed. The forum's functions, as defined in its Terms of Reference, were to be considered when adding items to the programme, including consultation on formula changes, contracts, financial issues related to special educational needs, early years education, insurance, free school meals, revisions to the school financing scheme, and administrative arrangements for central government grants.

Future Meeting Dates

The remaining meeting dates for the academic year were scheduled to be noted: 2 February 2027 and 15 June 2027.