The Ealing Schools Forum met to discuss the proposed school funding for the 2026-27 academic year. The meeting's agenda focused on the allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) across various blocks, including Early Years, Schools, High Needs, and Central School Services. Discussions also covered the proposed funding formula, consultation feedback, and the financial health of schools within the borough.

School Funding 2026-27

The primary focus of the meeting was the detailed breakdown and proposed allocations for school funding for the 2026-27 financial year. This included discussions on the Early Years Block, which funds provision for children aged 9 months to 4 years. The report pack indicated that the council proposed to retain the maximum allowable 3% of the Early Years Block for central services, a reduction from the previous year's 4%. This central funding is intended to support the delivery of key services to Early Years provisions.

The Schools Block funding for pupils aged 4 to 16 was also a significant topic. The report pack detailed the proposed formula factor values and indicative allocations for maintained schools and academies. It highlighted that the National Insurance Contribution Grant and the School Budget Support Grant would be rolled into the schools' block allocations for 2026-27. The pack noted an affordability gap due to an increase in pupils eligible for free school meals, which the council proposed to address through adjustments to the age-weighted pupil unit (AWPU) and other factors.

Discussions were scheduled to cover the High Needs Block, which funds support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The report indicated that the provisional High Needs allocation for 2026-27 represented a 6.1% increase, largely due to the incorporation of previous grant funding. However, it was noted that there was no significant increase in funding for high needs beyond this adjustment, pending wider reforms to the SEND system.

The meeting also planned to review the Balance Control Mechanism, a system designed to encourage schools to spend their allocated budgets effectively. The report indicated that the mechanism had been successful in its aim, with a reduction in the value of funds at risk of clawback. Forecasted school balances were also to be presented, showing that a significant number of maintained schools were anticipating being in deficit by the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

The report pack also included details on Education Functions and the de-delegation of funding for certain services to maintained schools. It outlined the proposed budget allocations for these functions and services, taking into account the potential conversion of some Catholic primary schools to academy status.

Finally, the meeting was scheduled to note the current membership of the Ealing Schools' Forum and approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on 20 November 2025.