The Schools Forum meeting scheduled for Thursday, 15 January 2026, was set to discuss the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the 2026/27 academic year, including detailed funding settlements for the Schools, High Needs, and Early Years blocks. A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to exploring options for de-delegation and funding for Lewisham Learning, a partnership aimed at improving school performance.

Lewisham Learning - Options for De-delegation and Funding

The meeting was scheduled to consider funding for Lewisham Learning, which operates as a partnership between Lewisham schools and the Local Authority to enhance school performance. This discussion was linked to the Authority Proforma Tool (APT) submission for the Schools Block. The report outlined two options for de-delegation for the 2026/27 academic year: Option 1 proposed an increase in the programme by 3.8% to fund the TRIIE (Tackling Racial Inequality in Education) project for another year, costing £60,000. Option 2 suggested maintaining the 2026/27 programme at the same funding level as 2025/26 and ceasing funding for the TRIIE project. The report detailed Lewisham Learning's vision for a school-led improvement system and its alignment with the Lewisham Education Strategy 2022-27. It also highlighted the challenges schools face, including the refreshed Ofsted Framework and curriculum changes. The report recommended adopting Option 1, which would increase the per-pupil rate from £16.33 to £16.95, securing £422,921 for Lewisham Learning support and challenge for one year. This option also included charging academies for statutory KS2 moderation, MIME data reports, and contributions to the TRIIE pledge.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) 2026/27 Funding Settlement

A series of reports were prepared to detail the 2026/27 funding settlement for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

Schools Block

The report on the Schools Block provided a detailed breakdown of the funding settlement, including options for the submission of the Authority Proforma Tool (APT) to the Department for Education (DfE). The proposed Option B was recommended for submission, which would see all schools receive funding based on the National Funding Formula (NFF) in full. This option included setting the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) at minus 0.5%, a transfer to the High Needs Block (HNB) of 0.26%, and the application of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) factor in line with agreements made with PFI schools. The report noted that while the headline DSG figures showed an increase, this was largely due to the streamlining of grants, and a net real-terms decrease in funding was anticipated due to a reduction in pupil numbers. The report also detailed de-delegation figures for 2026/27, which were based on agreed levels from the December 2025 Schools Forum meeting.

High Needs Block

The report on the High Needs Block (HNB) provided an overview of the funding settlement for 2026/27 compared to 2025/26, indicating a circa £5.1 million increase in funding at a gross level. It was noted that special schools would continue to receive a 3.4% uplift. The report explained that the Core Schools Budget Grant (CSBG), along with funding for National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and Schools Budget Support Grant (SBSG), would be incorporated into the High Needs Block for 2026/27. The DfE had temporarily suspended the high needs national funding formula for 2026/27, with allocations based on 2025/26 figures, and a review of the methodology was anticipated following wider reforms to the SEND system. The report also detailed ongoing operational mitigation plans to manage spending within the High Needs Block, including an increase in Lewisham-based SEN provisions and a review of internal processes.

Early Years Block

The report on the Early Years (EY) Block detailed the funding settlement for 2026/27, noting that this block comprises four separate parts: the 3 and 4-year-old offer (15 hours and extended 15 hours), the 2-year-old offer for families receiving additional support, the 2-year-old working parent entitlement, and the under-2s entitlement. Associated additionalities such as Pupil Premium and Disability Access Funding were also covered. The report highlighted that the 2026/27 hourly rates reflected revised rates receivable per the National Funding Formula for Early Years, with funding for teachers' pay and pensions streamlined into these rates. A key change noted was the reduction in the LA's central holdback rate from 4% to 3%, releasing 1% of funding to be allocated directly into the hourly rate. Schools Forum was asked to support the application of any increased funding in line with the current formula, with the resultant 1% from the reduced holdback and a proposed reduction in contingency to 1% being allocated to the hourly rate.

High Needs Update

A verbal presentation was scheduled to provide an update on the work undertaken with the High Needs Working Group. This is a standing item on the agenda, intended to inform the Schools Forum about progress and developments in this area.

Minutes of the Meeting - 11 December 2025

The minutes from the previous meeting held on 11 December 2025 were presented for confirmation.