The Redbridge Schools Forum meeting scheduled for 8 July 2025 was set to cover a comprehensive review of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2024-2025 financial year and its allocations for 2025-2026. Discussions were also planned on various school funding streams, budget monitoring, and the strategic organisation of school places within the borough.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Outturn and Allocations 2024-2025 and 2025-2026

A key item on the agenda was the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Outturn 2024-2025 and DSG Allocations 2025-2026. This report was intended to present the final outturn position for the DSG in 2024-25, detailing spending across the schools, high needs, early years, and central school services blocks. It was also scheduled to outline the DSG allocations for 2025-26. The report indicated that for the 2024-25 financial year, the DSG brought forward was £7.271m. The outturn for the year showed a total DSG budget available of £310.320m, with total spend at £304.831m, resulting in a DSG carried forward surplus of £5.490m. Notably, the High Needs Block showed a deficit of £0.753m for 2024-25. For 2025-2026, the DSG brought forward was £5.490m, with a total DSG budget available of £337.288m.

Schools Funding and Grants 2025-26

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss Schools Funding/Grants 2025-26 (including Teachers Post 16 Grant). This report was to provide an overview of revenue grants for the financial year 2025-26. Specific grants mentioned included the Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) with an allocation of £12.943m for 2025/26, the PE and Sports premium for primary schools, Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM), the Mayor's Universal Free School Meal grant, the School Budget Support Grant (SBSG), the National Insurance Contributions Grant, the Core School Budget Grant (CSBG), Sixth Form Funding, Post 16 Grant, the 16 to 19 Teachers Pension scheme employer contribution grant, the 16-19 Bursary Fund, and the Post 16 National Insurance contributions grant.

Maintained Schools Budget Monitoring

The forum was to receive an update on Maintained Schools budget monitoring. This report aimed to provide Schools Forum with an update on the submissions made by maintained schools, including year-end returns and three-year budget templates. As of 16 June 2025, all 59 maintained schools had submitted their End of Year 3 (EOY3) and three-year budget returns, though some were still awaiting signed copies from Headteachers and/or Chairs of Governors.

School Balances and Surplus Balance Clawback Mechanism

A report on School Balances and surplus balance clawback mechanism for schools with excess surpluses was scheduled for discussion. As of 31 March 2025, Redbridge maintained schools collectively held revenue balances of £20.529m, a decrease of £3.619m from the previous year. Capital balances stood at £0.442m, a decrease of £0.794m. The balance control mechanism sets the threshold for excessive balances at 5% for secondary schools and 8% for primary and special schools. The report indicated that 41 maintained schools held balances under this threshold, with the remaining 18 holding balances above it, totalling £0.977m in reserves over the threshold. Two schools reported a revenue deficit balance.

Table Showing Shortfall Following NI Grant Increase

The meeting was also to consider a Table showing how many schools will still have a shortfall following NI Grant Increase. This report detailed the anticipated increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) costs for maintained schools for the financial year 2025-26. The analysis indicated an anticipated increase in expenditure of £4.085m, with the Department for Education (DfE) providing £3.122m in grant, resulting in an overall shortfall of £0.935m. The analysis showed that 45 out of 51 schools were anticipated to have a shortfall after the grant allocation.

School Leases Update

An update on School Leases was to be provided. This report explained the change in accounting treatment for leases under International Financial Reporting Standard 16 (IFRS16), which came into effect for UK maintained schools on 1 April 2024. All leases previously classified as operating or finance leases are now treated as borrowing, requiring them to be recognised on the balance sheet. As of 23 June 2025, 46 out of 59 maintained schools had provided satisfactory responses regarding their lease agreements, with 13 schools still needing to submit the requested information.

Schools Contingency Fund and Schools Causing Concern

The forum was to discuss the Schools Contingency Fund and Schools Causing Concern. This report outlined the de-delegated budgets for the Schools Causing Concern fund (£249,281) and the Contingency Fund (£81,806) for 2025-26. The Schools Causing Concern fund is intended to support schools in categories of concern or at risk of deficit, while the Contingency Fund is for unforeseen circumstances. The report noted that as of 31 March 2025, two schools held deficit balances, and a further seven were projected to go into deficit within 2025-26.

Schools Internal Audit Plan

The Schools Internal Audit Plan for 2025-26 was to be presented. This report explained the importance of internal audit visits in ensuring financial assurance, governance oversight, risk management, compliance, value for money, and providing support for improvement in schools. One visit to Trinity Catholic High School had been completed in May 2025, with four further visits planned for Wanstead Church Primary, St. Augustine's R.C. School, St Bede's R.C. Primary School, and Gordon Primary.

High Needs Funding Working Group and High Needs Block Updates

An update on the High Needs Funding Working Group and High Needs Block Updates was scheduled. The report highlighted increasing financial pressures within the High Needs Block, projecting an in-year deficit of £5.143m for 2025/26, which would add to the existing cumulative deficit of £0.747m, resulting in an anticipated total cumulative deficit of £5.889m by the end of 2025/26. The report detailed projected spending across various placements, including mainstream primary and secondary schools, special schools (in and out of borough), non-maintained and independent schools, FE colleges, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), and personal travel budgets. The High Needs Funding subgroup's May 2025 update focused on reviewing out-of-borough top-up funding arrangements and developing a consistent process for schools to reclaim costs.

Early Years Block Updates

The meeting was to receive Early Years Block Updates. This report was to update Schools Forum on an underspend in the Early Years Block for 2024/25, the Early Years Expansion Grant (EYEG) for 2025/26, and the Early Years National Insurance and Teachers Pay Grant (EY NTPG). The outturn for the Early Years Block in 2024/25 showed an underspend of £1.315m. The EYEG allocation for Redbridge in 2025/26 is £369,110, and the EY NTPG allocation is £271,677.

School Organisation Plan 2025

A copy of the School Organisation Plan 2025 for 2025-2033 was to be presented. This plan is based on recent trends and population projections, indicating a projected decline in reception rolls across the borough. The plan outlines current demand and projected demand for school places, including changes to the resident population and school rolls. It noted that by 2026/27, the Published Admission Number (PAN) was projected to have dropped by 360 places, equivalent to 12 classes, since the 2019/20 academic year. The report also highlighted a shift in the decline from primary to secondary school enrolments.

Table Showing Shortfall Following NI Grant Increase

The meeting was also to consider a Table showing how many schools will still have a shortfall following NI Grant Increase. This report detailed the anticipated increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) costs for maintained schools for the financial year 2025-26. The analysis indicated an anticipated increase in expenditure of £4.085m, with the Department for Education (DfE) providing £3.122m in grant, resulting in an overall shortfall of £0.935m. The analysis showed that 45 out of 51 schools were anticipated to have a shortfall after the grant allocation.