The Schools Forum noted the update on the High Needs Block (HNB) position for 2024/25, the current position and timeline in relation to the school meals delivery contract, and the draft 2025/26 budget consultation document.

High Needs Block (HNB)

The report projected a significantly increased in-year deficit in the High Needs Block (HNB) of £1.85m. Reasons cited for this increase included the biggest growth area in funding going to Camden mainstream schools arising from the higher top-up rates implemented from April 2024, an increased projection on spend on individual tuition and therapy provision, and some growth in central support teams including expansion of the early years intervention team.

The report also outlined a longer term approach to managing the HNB. The final proposal will be received by the forum in February 2025, with an interim report to be provided in November 2024.

Funding Update and Schools Funding Consultation 2025/26

The forum discussed at length the Funding Update and Schools Funding Consultation 2025/26.

Due to the delay in the release of the government's detailed proposals for 2025/26 schools funding, now expected on 30 October 2024, if necessary Camden would expedite their processes to minimise any delays in providing budget information to schools.

The forum agreed the consultation proposal for the continuation of the Schools Forum approach to Camden's Local formula strategy, passing on any national inflationary uplift to Schools block to Camden schools with no change to the local funding formula (subject to compliance with any statutory restrictions by the ESFA). They also agreed to the continuation of the earlier decision to fund schools budgets entirely from the schools block DSG allocation to ensure their ongoing affordability from government grant alone.

School Meals Delivery in Schools

The forum noted an update on the School Meals Delivery in Schools.

They requested that as part of scoping out a new school meals service, the council should approach schools already using the considered contractor to find out their experiences. This activity could also include headteachers visiting schools unannounced to the food provider and sampling the food. The Cabinet Member additionally suggested approaching schools that have already insourced their food delivery service to find out their experiences.