Alex O'Donnell

Bexley Schools Forum Committee Member

Bexley Schools Forum - Monday, 12th January, 2026 10.00 am

The Bexley Schools Forum meeting scheduled for 12 January 2026 was set to discuss the financial outlook for schools in the borough, including proposed funding formulas for the 2026/27 academic year and the allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant. Key topics included updates on the Safety Valve programme, which aims to address the high needs deficit, and a request for a transfer of funds from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block.

Bexley Schools Forum Public

Bexley Schools Forum - Monday, 10th November, 2025 10.00 am

The Bexley Schools Forum convened to address financial challenges and strategic planning for the upcoming years. Discussions included a review of the high needs block budget, a request for a transfer of funds from the schools block, and an update on the Safety Valve programme[^2]. The forum also considered the preparation of central budgets for 2026/27.

Bexley Schools Forum Public

Bexley Schools Forum - Monday, 6th October, 2025 10.00 am

The Bexley Schools Forum met to discuss a range of issues, including the appointment of a chair and vice-chair, early years funding, high needs block monitoring, and the Safety Valve programme[^2]. The forum was also scheduled to discuss the 2026/27 schools block and the preparation of central budgets for 2026/27.

Bexley Schools Forum

Bexley Schools Forum - Monday, 16th June, 2025 10.00 am

The Bexley Schools Forum met to discuss school funding, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, and school place planning. The forum approved the growth fund budget for Birkbeck Primary School, recovery of overspend on maternity cover, de-delegation of maternity cover, de-delegation of free school meals (FSM) eligibility checking, the proposed early years funding formula, and a 0.5% transfer from the schools block to the high needs block. The Schools Forum also received updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) outturn, the Safety Valve programme, and the scheme for financing schools.