The Schools Forum of Staffordshire Council met on Thursday 13 November 2025, discussing significant financial challenges and the provision of various educational services. Key decisions included the continued de-delegation of funding for the Primary Behaviour Support Service and the Minority Ethnic Achievement Service, and the approval of the Trades Union Facilities Time funding formula. The forum also debated and voted on proposals related to the Schools Budget for 2026-27, including central expenditure and education functions, and the High Needs Budget, including a controversial proposal for a transfer of funds from the schools block.

High Needs Budget and Deficit Management

The most significant discussion revolved around the escalating deficit in the High Needs Block, which is projected to reach over £90 million by the end of the current year and could exceed £200 million by the end of the next financial year. This deficit is attributed to rising demand for SEND support, particularly in the independent sector, and insufficient government funding. The council presented a Deficit Management Plan aimed at mitigating these overspends, which includes developing a more inclusive system, reviewing policies, and seeking additional investment.

A key proposal within the Deficit Management Plan was a request for a 0.5% transfer from the schools block to the High Needs Block for 2026-27, estimated at £3.5 million. This proposal was met with significant opposition from maintained school members, who argued that their own budgets are already stretched and that such a transfer would further exacerbate financial pressures. Despite the low response rate from schools to the consultation on this transfer (4.5%), the council maintained it was a necessary and prudent course of action. Ultimately, the Schools Forum voted to agree the strategies outlined in the Staffordshire DSG management plan but voted against the proposed 0.5% transfer from the schools block to the High Needs Block.

The forum also discussed the Section 19 Alternative Education funding, with a proposal to introduce a contribution formula for schools from September 2025. This was a complex issue, with discussions focusing on the may ask guidance from the Department for Education, the inequity of schools choosing to pay versus not pay, and the potential for masking underlying problems. The forum voted to support the Section 19 recoupment formula for contributions towards the cost of pupils accessing alternative education from September 2025.

Primary Behaviour Support Service and Minority Ethnic Achievement Service

The forum unanimously agreed to the continued de-delegated funding for the Primary Behaviour Support Service (PBS) for the 2026-27 financial year. The report highlighted the service's effectiveness, with 98.5% of pupils referred remaining in their school placement and avoiding permanent exclusion. The service has also expanded its early intervention support for pupils transitioning from early years settings.

Similarly, the Minority Ethnic Achievement Service (MIAS) also received continued de-delegated funding for 2026-27. The service has expanded its delivery, with 90% of maintained schools responding to a questionnaire supporting its retention. Notably, none of the pupils supported by MIAS in 2024-25 received fixed-term suspension or permanent exclusions.

Wraparound Childcare Update

An update on the wraparound childcare programme indicated that the unallocated spend had reduced to £200,000 due to a significant number of new applications from schools and providers. The ambition remains for every parent needing it to access term-time wraparound childcare by September 2026, with 96% of eligible schools now offering it in some form. Discussions also touched upon the challenges faced by private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) providers in accessing support due to contract length requirements.

Schools Budget 2026-27 and Central Expenditure

The forum approved various aspects of the Schools Budget for 2026-27. This included the use of historic commitments funding and ongoing functions within the Central School Services Block. Decisions were also made regarding the allocation of Growth and Falling Roles funding, with any underspend to be used towards the DSG deficit. Central early years expenditure was approved at £3.082 million, representing 2.1% of eligible funding. Maintained school members also voted to de-delegate several budget areas and approved levies per pupil to fund education functions performed by the local authority.

Trades Union Facilities Time Funding

Following a review requested by teacher and school leader unions, the forum voted to adopt a new, more equitable formula for Trades Union Facilities Time Funding. The new formula will be a straightforward per-pupil amount, eliminating the differential between primary and secondary schools and the fixed lump sum, which was considered more significant for smaller schools. Option three, favouring this new formula, was carried.

Notices of Concern and Licensed Deficit Agreements

The report highlighted one school, St. Manor's Primary School, with a licence deficit. Two other schools had been removed from the list following their conversion to academy status. A maintained primary representative, Vicki Lewis, spoke movingly about the personal impact of being on such lists, highlighting the financial pressures faced by schools and the emotional toll it takes.

Membership Update

Helen Cunliffe was welcomed as a new member representing All Primary Academies. However, two spaces for this category remain available.

In Memoriam

The meeting began with a moment of remembrance for Judith Wyman, a long-serving member of the Schools Forum, who had sadly passed away. Tributes were shared, highlighting her significant contributions to education in Staffordshire.