Schools Forum

Meetings

The Schools Forum meets five times a year. View meeting papers.

Members

 Its representation consists of:

• nursery, primary, secondary and special school heads

• primary, secondary and special school governors

• a Southwark Diocesan Board of Education representative

• an Archdiocese of Southwark Schools’ Commission representative

• a 14–19 Consortium representative

• an early years representative

• an academies representative

Responsibilities

The forum is responsible for considering

• any proposed changes to the schools’ funding formula factors or criteria in accordance with regulations made under section 47 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

• the financial effect of any such change. 

Statutory duties

The forum must be consulted and agree if the proposed percentage increase to the centrally managed share of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) is greater than the overall DSG settlement increase.

Other responsibilities

Monitor and track schools with deficits to advise and support schools to gain the expertise with which to manage their finances effectively.

The Schools Forum is also consulted on:

• arrangements to be made for the education of pupils with special educational needs

• arrangements for early years education, the use of pupil referral units and the education of children who are not at school

• insurance of school premises and professional indemnities

• prospective revisions to the Council’s scheme of financing of schools

• arrangements for free school meals

• administration arrangements for the allocation of government grants

• proposed contract for supplies or services paid out of the schools budget, e.g. catering

• de-delegation for mainstream schools for:

  • contingencies 

  • administration of free school meals 

  • insurance 

  • licences/subscriptions 

  • staff costs – supply cover 

  • support for minority ethnic 

  • pupils/underachieving groups 

  • behaviour support services 

  • library and museum services 

  • school improvement

• services previously funded by the educational services grant general duties rate. 

Legislation about schools forums

Every local authority is required by the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 as amended to have a schools forum for its area. The constitution, conduct of meetings, functions and role of the forum are determined by the Schools Forums (England) Regulations 2015 and the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2017.