The Ealing Schools Forum was scheduled to discuss the proposed school funding for the 2026-27 academic year, including the Scheme for Financing Schools and updates on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms. The forum was also set to review the current membership of the Ealing Schools Forum.

School Funding 2026-27

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing school funding for the 2026-27 academic year. The report pack outlined proposals for the Scheme for Financing Schools, which details the financial relationship between the council and its maintained schools. This scheme, largely unchanged from the previous year, includes provisions for managing surplus and deficit balances, charging for services, and financial controls.

The forum was also to be updated on national SEND reforms, including the Schools White Paper and associated consultations. These reforms aim to improve early intervention, mainstream inclusion, and reduce reliance on statutory processes. New and expanded funding streams, such as the Inclusive Mainstream Fund and the Experts at Hand initiative, were detailed, with provisional allocations for Ealing mentioned. The report also covered the High Needs Capital Funding, which will support the creation of specialist places.

Discussions were scheduled regarding Ealing's Local Area SEND Reform Plan, which is a prerequisite for accessing deficit support and continued local autonomy. The plan outlines how the local area will strengthen its system leadership, improve inclusion, and deliver sustainable improvements for children and young people with SEND.

Furthermore, the report detailed proposed top-up funding arrangements for 2026-27. This included a review of the top-up values for special schools and specialist provision in mainstream schools, with increases proposed to account for pay and inflation pressures, as well as changes in pupil cohorts. The report also addressed funding for Alternative Provision (PRUs) and outlined the ongoing work on a level descriptor project for mainstream schools to refine SEND funding models.

Membership of the Ealing Schools Forum

The meeting agenda included a review of the current membership of the Ealing Schools Forum. The report pack provided a table detailing the categories of members, their names, schools, and the start and expiry dates of their terms of office. This item was intended to ensure the forum was aware of its composition, including any vacant positions.