The Schools Forum received an update on the financial situation in Hounslow schools. They were also asked to note a report on the Dedicated Schools Grant and to approve an updated protocol for Money Following Excluded Pupils. No decisions were made at this meeting.

Hounslow Schools Finances

As of March 31st, 2024, schools in Hounslow are holding reserves of £36.2 million, representing 11.4% of the total Schools Budget. Hounslow Council's Schools Forum received a report on the state of school finances in the borough. The report, SF 080724 ITEM 4 Finance Update, noted that:

Individual school balances can fluctuate for a number of reasons and do not, in themselves, provide an indicator of a school’s financial health.

The report noted that the total level of reserves in Hounslow schools had increased from £31.8m (10.4% of the Schools Budget) in 2023. The report included details of schools' individual balances as of the end of the financial year, noting that balances over £1m were held by 15 schools in the borough, including:

• Primary Schools

  • Beavers Community Primary School £1,387,000
  • St Mark's Catholic Primary School £2,146,000
  • The Blue School £1,259,000
  • Worple Road Primary School £1,140,000

• Secondary Schools

  • Brentford School for Girls £1,826,000
  • Chiswick School £2,773,000
  • Gunnersbury Catholic School £1,092,000
  • Isleworth & Syon School for Boys £2,599,000
  • Lampton School £1,560,000
  • The Heathland School £4,619,000

• Special Schools

  • The Cedars Primary School £2,224,000
  • The Ryvers School £1,298,000

• Other

  • Isleworth & Syon School £1,210,000
  • Orleans Park School £1,307,000

The forum also noted the contents of the SF 080724 ITEM 4 Appendix B - Scheme for Financing Schools 2024, which sets out how the Dedicated Schools Grant, the main government grant for schools, will be allocated to schools in Hounslow.

Money Following Excluded Pupils

The Schools Forum were asked to approve an updated protocol on the subject of Money Following Excluded Pupils. The protocol sets out how money is transferred between schools when a pupil is permanently excluded and moves to a new school. The updated protocol included an amendment to the amount of money transferred from £5,000 to £6,000 to reflect the increased costs of supporting excluded pupils.

SEND and AP Improvement Programme Update

The Schools Forum received a report on the progress of the SEND and AP Improvement Programme. The programme is designed to improve the support available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those with Autism (AP) in Hounslow.