Public Document Pack
County Offices Newland Lincoln LN1 1YL
26 September 2017
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum
A meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum will be held on Wednesday, 4 October 2017 at 1.00 pm in Committee Room One, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL for the transaction of the business set out on the attached Agenda.
Yours sincerely
Tony McArdle Chief Executive
Membership of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum
SCHOOLS' MEMBERS
Nursery (1) Joanne Noble (Head Teacher, Gainsborough Nursery School)
Special (2) Nigel Sisley JP (Governor, St Francis Community Special School, Lincoln) Steve Barnes (The Pilgrim School, Lincoln)
Primary Maintained (7)
Primary Head Teachers (4) Geraldine Willders (Head Teacher, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Grantham) Martin Kyle (Head Teacher, St Faith & St Martin C E Junior School, Lincoln Gavin Booth (Head Teacher, Boston St Thomas' C E Primary School) 1 vacancy
Primary Governors (3) Marilyn Bell (Governor, The Fenland Federation) Anthony Stevens (Governor, The Holt Primary School, Skellingthorpe) James Todd (Governor, Woodlands Infant and Nursery School, Lincoln) Secondary Maintained (1) Michele Anderson (Head Teacher, Spalding High School)
Academies (12)
Secondary Academies (7) Professor Ken Durrands CBE (Governor, The King's School, Grantham) James Storr (Governor, The Deepings School, Deeping St James) Ian Widdows (Head Teacher, Giles Academy, Old Leake) 4 vacancies
Primary Academies (3) Mark Anderson (New Dawn Trust) Helen Hilton (Head Teacher, Little Gonerby Church of England Infant School) 1 vacancy
Special Academy (1) Lea Mason (Executive Head Teacher, Lincolnshire Wolds Federation, Louth)
Alternative Provision Academy (1) Josh Greaves (Chief Operating Officer, Wellspring Academy Trust)
NON-SCHOOLS' MEMBERS
Faith Groups (1) Bridget Starling (Church of England)
Further Education / Post 16 Sector (1) Matthew Orford (Director, Linkage College)
Staff Trade Unions (1) Helen Stokes (UNISON)
Early Years Providers (1) Julia Merivale (Trinity Day Nursery, Gainsborough) LINCOLNSHIRE SCHOOLS' FORUM AGENDA WEDNESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2017
Item Title Pages
1 Election of Chairman
2 Apologies for Absence/Replacement Members
3 Declarations of Members' Interest
4 Minutes of the Meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum 5 - 18 held on 28 June 2017
5 Chairman's Announcements
6 National Funding Formula for Schools 19 - 28 (To receive a report from Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance – Children's Services, which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on the mainstream schools funding)
7 De-Delegation of Maintained Primary School Budget 2018/19 29 - 38 and 2019/20 (To receive a report from Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance – Children's Services, which seeks approval from the maintained primary school representatives to the Local Authority's proposals)
8 Revised Schools' Budgets 2017/18 39 - 46 (To receive a report from Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance – Children's Services, which provides information on the revised Schools' Budget for 2017/18 and to seek support for the proposed use of the DSG underspend)
9 School Carry Forwards 2016/17 47 - 58 (To receive a report from Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance – Children's Services, which provides the Schools' Forum with information regarding Lincolnshire's maintained schools carry forwards at 31 March 2017)
10 School Financial Value Standard (SFVS) 59 - 62 (To receive a report from Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance – Children's Services, which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on the Schools Financial Value Standard)
11 Alternative Provision Arrangements 63 - 76 To receive a report from Mary Meredith, Children's Service Manager – Inclusion, which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on how the new alternative provision arrangements are working) 12 Academies and Academy Trusts 77 - 82 (To receive a report from John O'Connor, Children's Service Manager – Education Support, which provides the Schools' Forum with information on the latest number of academies, and pupils in academies)
13 Lincolnshire Schools' Forum - Work Programme 83 - 86 (This item provides the Schools' Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings for inclusion in the Work Programme)
14 Future Meeting Dates (For the Schools' Forum to agree the following meeting dates:-
Thursday 18 January 2018; Thursday 19 April 2018; Tuesday 26 June 2018; and Wednesday 11 October 2018.
All meetings to be held at County Offices, and commence at 1.00pm)
Democratic Services Officer Contact Details
Name: Katrina Cope
Direct Dial 01522 552104
E Mail Address [email protected]
Please note: for more information about any of the following please contact the Democratic Services Officer responsible for servicing this meeting
Business of the meeting Any special arrangements Copies of reports
Contact details set out above.
All papers for council meetings are available on: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/committeerecords Agenda Item 4 1
Mark Anderson (Headteacher, New Dawn Trust, Hartsholme Academy, Lincoln), Joanne Noble (Headteacher, Gainsborough Nursery School), Geraldine Willders (Head Teacher, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Grantham) (Vice-Chairman), Anthony Stevens (Governor, The Holt Primary School, Skellingthorpe), Professor Ken Durrands CBE (Governor, The King's School, Grantham), Ian Widdows (Head Teacher, Giles Academy, Old Leake), Helen Hilton (Head Teacher, Little Gonerby Church of England Infant School), Josh Greaves (Chief Operating Officer, Wellspring Academy Trust), Bridget Starling (Business Manager, Church of England, Diocesan Education Centre), Helen Stokes (Branch Secretary, UNISON) and Julia Merivale (Manager, Trinity Day Nursery).
Officers in attendance:-
Sara Gregory (Commissioning Officer), Mary Meredith (Head of Children's Service Manager, Inclusion), Paula Whitehead (Manager, Team Around the Child), Katrina Cope (Senior Democratic Services Officer), Mark Popplewell (Head of Finance (Children's Services)), Heather Sandy (Chief Commissioning Officer for Learning) and Martin Smith (Children's Services Manager, School Standards), Viki Thomas (Lead Adviser, Early Years Improvement) and Kevin Johnson (Acting Commissioning Manager, Commercial).
1 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED
That Mark Anderson be elected as the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum for 2017/18.
MARK ANDERSON IN THE CHAIR
2 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED
That Geraldine Willders be elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum for 2017/18.
3 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE/REPLACEMENT MEMBERS
Apologies for absence were received from Marilyn Bell (Governor, The Fenland Federation), Nichola Shore (Head Teacher, Banovallum School, Horncastle), James
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Storr (Governor, The Deepings School) and Lea Mason (Executive Head Teacher, Lincolnshire Wolds Federation).
An apology for absence was also received from Ken Rustidge (Staff Trade Union).
4 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS' INTEREST
No declarations of members' interest were declared at this stage of the proceedings.
5 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE SCHOOLS' FORUM HELD ON 12 JANUARY 2017
It was agreed that a scrutiny committee paper on sufficiency of school places would be shared with members of the Forum.
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum held on 12 January 2017, be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
6 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE SCHOOLS' FORUM EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 22 FEBRUARY 2017
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum held on 22 February 2017 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
7 ANNUAL REPORT ON SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITY
Consideration was given to a report from Sheridan Dodsworth (Children's Service Manager, Special Educational Needs and Disability), which provided the School's Forum with an annual update on Special Educational Needs as required by the Schools' Forum Regulations. The three areas covered in the report included an update on activity within the County; an overview of the high needs costs throughout 2016/17; and an update on the SEND Strategy Review.
In the absence of the Children's Service Manager Special Educational Needs and Disability, Heather Sandy, (Chief Commissioning Officer for Learning) guided the Forum through the report and made reference to the following:-
The Forum noted that there was an increase nationally in January 2017 of pupils who had an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan or Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN). There had been an increase of 30,975 (12.1%) from January 2016; In 2016 there had been 103,009 pupils on roll in Lincolnshire maintained and academy schools. Of this total 13.1% had been in receipt of some form of SEN
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support that was not a Statement or an EHC Plan, and was above the average of 11.6%; For 2016/17 schools and academies had, through most of their formula factors a notional SEN funding allocation from which they were expected to contribute the first £6,000 towards a pupil who required SEN Support/Graduated Approach. It was noted further that the higher level needs and targeted support provision remained outside of the notional SEN funding; and was funded through the high needs budget; The number of pupils with statements of SEN or EHC Plans in Lincolnshire was above average at 3.3% of the school population. Compared to 2.8% nationally. Details of the breakdown was detailed at the bottom of page 23 of the report; Details of High Needs Funding Analysis (Not including short-term medical provision) was detailed on pages 25 and 26 of the report presented, which identified the growth in top up and targeted funding in 2016/17; It was reported that the current picture in Lincolnshire for 2015/16 was that the Special Educational Needs and Disability Service had received 723 requests for assessments, which had been an increase of 38% on 2014/15; and a 52% increase on 2013/14. The Forum noted that in 2016 a decision had been made not to undertake a statutory assessment in 33% of cases referred, this figure was slightly higher than the England average of 30%. The most common reason for refusal was as a result of the lack of evidence from a child's school of support and intervention strategies provided through a graduated approach of using resources and support services available through the notional funding. It was noted further that for the same period five children in Lincolnshire had been assessed under S36 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and it had been decided not to issue an EHC Plan. The Forum noted that the service had been challenged by parents, through the SEND Tribunal, for refusal to assess, from which it had become evident that the process was stacked in favour of parents. The Tribunal process was costly and in Lincolnshire, as with many other authorities had increased. It was highlighted that the SEND service had worked with parents and the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum to understand why parents felt that their child must have an EHC Plan. The Forum was advised that in an attempt to increase parental confidence in the support offered at the graduated approach stage, the SEND Service had employed for a period of 18 months, a practitioner who was skilled in restorative practice. It was noted that from September 2016 the practitioner had worked with 31 children, their families, schools and other professionals following a decision not to assess. It was noted further that none of the 31 cases had progressed to formal mediation, or appeal to SEND Tribunal. Over the course of the academic year the authority had experienced a reduction in the number of appeals to Tribunal, which it was believed was as a result of the investment in time with parents to increase their confidence in the wider SEN support system; It was highlighted that the EHC Needs Assessment process was 20 weeks; and that the SEND service was consistently meeting the 20 week deadline in 90/95% of cases. Cases that had fallen out of the 20 weeks were the most complex, and the Department for Education had acknowledged there would be exceptional cases that would require additional time to complete;
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The Forum was advised that from 1 April 2018, all local authorities should have transferred all children and young people with Statements of SEN to the new SEN and disability system it they had met the criteria for an EHC Plan. The Forum was advised that Lincolnshire had commissioned its Special Schools to undertake transfers for their students over a two year period; and that all other Statements had been transferred by Caseworkers within the authority. It was confirmed that the SEND Service was confident that all transfers would be completed well before the DfE deadline; It was reported that the number of places agreed for Lincolnshire special schools in 2017/18 was 1,742, which was an increase of 56 places from 2016/17 and that the special schools' funding had risen by £0.583m from the previous year to £25.777m, as a result of the increase in pupil numbers. Officers advised that the local authority working with special schools had undertaken a cyclical review of a schools pupil banding, which was defined by the pupil's primary need; and that this work was to ensure a schools pupil banding was accurately applied. The authority was also currently reviewing special schools funding formula, and that any changes were planned to take effect for 2018/19. Clarification was given that special schools would be part of the working group in formulating any changes before schools were consulted upon such changes; The Forum was advised that Lincolnshire had two hospital schools purchasing between 13 and 70 places during 2017/18. It was noted that nationally there had been an increase in take up, as a result of severe anxiety levels, which had resulted in a budget increase of £0.574m in this area; It was reported that 'Out of County' placements were only made when Lincolnshire Schools had stated that they were unable to meet the special educational needs of a particular learner. It was noted that the number of placements had remained static over the last three years, but the cost of provision had risen significantly. In addition to out of county placements there were currently 44 children and young people that were placed in independent schools in Lincolnshire. It was noted that the nature of these placement were complex; and was an area that had seen significant growth in costs of £0.527m in 2016/17; The LA through its detailed budget setting exercise of the Dedicated Schools Grant had managed to meet internally the high needs cost pressures reported in the paper; and The Forum was reminded that a comprehensive review of special education needs provision in Lincolnshire was underway; and that a Special Schools' Project Board, chaired by the Director of Children's Services was leading on the work. Page 30 of the report outlined some key issues; and the new strategic approach to SEND, based on four stages. The Forum was advised that an options appraisal had been undertaken which would lead to the development of a SEND Strategy, which would be considered by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee at their October 2017 meeting. The re- modelling would ensure that children and young people with SEND get the right education, in the right place, at the right time, as close as possible to their home.
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During consideration, members raised the following points:-
Impact of the notional funding of £6,000 on smaller schools; and clarity was sought with regard to additional support and funding. It was agreed that an explanation of SEN would be included in the next bulletin to schools; Reasons as to why SEN was more prevalent in boys. It was confirmed that Lincolnshire replicated the national picture. The Chief Commissioning Officer for Learning agreed to send an email round to Forum members providing the reasons as to why this was so; The cost of 'Out of County Placements'. It was noted that it was hoped reducing the placements would reduce the costs, as residential costs were very expensive. A question was asked as to whether the out of county costs were inclusive of transport costs. The Forum was advised that the costs did not include transport costs; Parent's involvement in the process. The Forum was advised that pilots were being tested in East Lindsey; and engagement had taken place with parents and, parent carer council. The principle was for one interview to take place to ensure that the school could meet the needs of the child, or the young person.
The Forum welcomed the annual report and thanks were extended to the Children's Service Manager, Special Educational Needs and Disability for her comprehensive report.
RESOLVED
That the Annual Report on Special Educational Needs and Disability be noted.
8 SECTION 251 BUDGET STATEMENT 2017/18
The Forum gave consideration to a report from Mark Popplewell (Head of Finance – Children's Services), which provided the Schools Forum with a copy of the Section 251 budget statement for the 2017/18 financial year.
It was reported that Local Authorities were required under Section 251 of the Apprenticeship, Skills Children and Learning Act 2009 to prepare and submit an education and children's social care budget statement for the relevant period to the Secretary of State for Education by 31 March each year. The Schools Forum was advised that information for 2017/18 had been submitted to the Department for Education via its data collection and management system for education (COLLECT) by 31 March 2017 deadline. Appendix 1 to the report provided Local Authority Section 251 Table 1 data for 2017/18. The data provided an overall picture of the funding being allocated directly to schools, high needs and early years funding, central provisions within schools budget, and children and young people's services.
It was reported that the overall Dedicated Schools Grant funding was considered when the LA carried out its annual detailed budget setting exercise, which had in the past resulted in movements between the notional blocks to ensure affordability.
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The Schools Forum was advised that following a review of historical commitments with in the central schools block in 2016/17, the Local Authority (LA) had been able to make significant savings to the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2017/18 of £4.274m. These savings had allowed the LA to fund the high needs pressures reported within the Annual report on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. An amount therefore of £4.274m had been moved from the central school block to the high needs block to help fund growth in special school pupil placements; the provision for schools pupil banding; a revision to the Pilgrim hospital schools funding; a revision to the pupil referral unit funding; and pupil placements made to out of county provisions. It was also highlighted that the minimum funding guarantee released for those protected schools of up to minus 1.5% had released funding of £0.847m; the removal of a split-site factor for a school £0.341m; and the funding available from the schools block historical funding mechanism £0.438m had allowed the growth in top up and targeted funding devolved to mainstream schools to be fully funded based on the 2016/17 position. This cost pressure had resulted in a movement of funding from the schools block to the high needs block of £1.626m.
It was highlighted that the movement between blocks were as a direct result of the decisions to respond to budget pressures as highlighted in previous reports to the Schools Forum.
Whilst considering Appendix 1 to the report, the Forum raised the following issues:-
The SEN timescale, and the impact on the next budget. Officers confirmed that the Forum would be kept up to date in relation to any big spends and would receive updates on SEN and the impact of the strategy; and A question was asked about how the national living wage changes were impacting spend, particularly for home to school transport. The Forum noted that the LA would be undertaking reviews on service areas for national living wage implications with changes built into the 2018/19 budget process.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted; and that the budget changes between the notional blocks as detailed in the report be approved.
9 THE ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 FOR EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE SUPPORT (EYCC)
The Forum gave consideration to a report from Michelle Andrews (Service Manager – Early Years and Childcare Support), which provided the Local Authority's position in relation to meeting its statutory duties in relation to the Department for Education guidance for early years and childcare for 2016/17; and also provided an overview of Lincolnshire's priorities for 2017/18.
In the absence of the Service Manager – Early Years and Childcare Support, a joint verbal presentation of the report presented was received from Geraldine O'Neill (Lead Consultant Early Years Entitlement) and Viki Thomas (Lead Adviser for Early Years Improvement).
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In guiding the Forum through the report, officers made reference to the following points:-
The greatest change within the sector during 2016 was the government's review of the Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF). In December 2016, the outcome of the consultation was released. Following this Lincolnshire had reviewed the local funding arrangements and this had been implemented with effect from April 2017; Early Years and Childcare (EYCC) support was continuing to provide information, monitoring, challenge and training opportunities to all early years and childcare providers within Lincolnshire. EYCC also continued to deliver Leadership and Management Briefings; That 2 year old early education entitlement in Lincolnshire had increased to 78% with 2,348 children accessing a funded place. It was reported that a joined up approach to outreach had been developed between EYCC, locality teams and partners to ensure the most effective methods were used to support families to access their child's entitlement; It was reported that actual data from the spring term 2017 had shown the equivalent of 2,236 children in Private, Voluntary or Independent sector; and that an additional 418 children in schools qualified for EYPP. It was highlighted that this was significantly higher than the government had predicted; and as a result of this basis, the Department for Education was committed to review the delivery mechanism for EYPP to ensure appropriate levels of funding were allocated to Local Authorities; The Forum was advised that from April 2017, 3 and 4 year olds would be eligible for Disability Access Funding (DAF) if they met the eligibility criteria. It was highlighted that 66 children had qualified so far; It was reported that the government was committed to doubling the amount of free childcare from 15 to 30 hours a week for working parents of three and four year olds, from September 2017. It was highlighted that 97% of 3 and 4 year olds accessing Early Years Entitlement in Lincolnshire; approximately 40% were accessing more than 15 hours childcare per week. It was highlighted further that there were 650 providers registered to deliver funded places in Lincolnshire. The Forum noted that the impact of how the introduction of 30 hours might affect the market place when implemented was still unknown. It was highlighted that early indications from childcare sufficiency assessment were that Lincolnshire was well placed to meet the demand for 30 hours; Details of the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP), were contained on pages 45 and 46 of the report presented; Quality of providers. The Forum noted that when Ofsted had published its EYCC Statistics showing the overall effectiveness of registered early years and childcare providers, the data for Lincolnshire indicated that currently 93% of the providers were either 'Good' or 'Outstanding'; The Forum was advised that EYCC continued to support the development of early years and childcare workforce across Lincolnshire, to ensure that Managers/Leaders were able to drive forward continual improvements to improve outcomes for children in readiness for school;
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Inclusion and Early Intervention – It was noted that inclusion support was provided by the Early Years Locality Teams with guidance and support from the School Readiness Hub within EYCC. It was noted further that EYCC was committed to working in partnership with locality teams and other agencies across Lincolnshire to raise educational outcomes for young children. Work was also being carried out with the Virtual School and the Specialist Teaching Team to develop a pathway of support to ensure the educational progress of Children Looked After was closely monitored; and A question was asked as to how many early years' providers were rated as being Inadequate/Requiring Improvement in Lincolnshire.
Officers responded to questions raised which included the onset of the 30 hours from September 2017; and a concern was raised that some parents had still had not logged on; and was there an awareness of the procedure. Officers confirmed that 1000 families had logged on and were aware of the log in code; however it was highlighted that there were 5000 families that were eligible. Confirmation was given that there would be support to the sector; and that officers were happy to share the sufficiency assessment with the sector.
In conclusion, the Forum was advised that the service was well placed to support the early year's sector to continue to improve children's outcomes, support inclusive practice, school readiness and improve and maintain safeguarding practices within the county's Early Help strategy. The schools forum was requested to support the 2017/18 priorities and core business proposals as set out on page 51 of the report.
RESOLVED
That the Annual Report 2016/17 for Early Years and Childcare Support be noted.
(Post meeting update: The number of early year's providers who were currently Inadequate/Requiring Improvement in Lincolnshire were:-
8 providers with an Inadequate Ofsted Judgement; and 21 Providers with a Requires Improvement judgement.)
10 NEW EMOTIONAL WELLBEING SERVICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The Forum gave consideration to a report from Sara Gregory (Commissioning Officer), which provided an update on the commissioning arrangements for the new emotional wellbeing service; 'Healthy Minds Lincolnshire'; and received an overview of the support available from the new Service.
Appendix 1 to the report provided a summary of responses received in relation to the Emotional Wellbeing Service.
The Forum was reminded that on the 12 January 2017, the Forum had considered a report which had set out the Council's intention to commission a new emotional
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wellbeing service for children and young people in Lincolnshire. The Healthy Minds Service would be offering direct support to children and young people and their families, experiencing emotional wellbeing concerns, where other services were not available to meet their needs. The service would also provide the opportunity for training support to be provided to the school workforce to enable them to implement early school-based programmes to build resilience and provide guidance and support to school staff to enable them to become more confident in meeting the emotional wellbeing needs of pupils.
The Forum noted that a small working group which included representation from schools, the Council, public health, GPs and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) had been working together to help design the Service in more detail. Engagement had also taken place with head teachers a summary of the feedback received was detailed in Appendix 1. The Forum noted further that the Council was currently designing an online Emotional Wellbeing/Behaviour Pathway, which would provide a single point of access to services available locally to support emotional wellbeing and/or behaviour concerns and provide advice and guidance.
It was reported that the Service would be a Countywide service for all Lincolnshire children and young people up to the age of 19 (or up to 25 if they were identified as having special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or are a care leaver). The Service would comprise of two main elements of:-
Direct support to children and young people living in or going to school in Lincolnshire, and their parents/carers; and Training for future teachers and childcare providers, Lincolnshire pre-school and school workforce, and other professionals working with Lincolnshire children and young people.
An overview of each of the Service delivery elements was shown on pages 55/56 of the report presented.
It was highlighted that the new service was due to commence on 1 October 2017 and that the Council was seeking to establish a partnership agreement with Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) via Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006, as a mechanism for securing the provision of the new service.
The additional investment of £1m through the High Needs budget of the Dedicated Schools Grant had resulted in additional resource being available to provide high- quality evidenced-based early support to Lincolnshire pupils, which would prevent an escalation of their needs to diagnosable mental health, to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes, in preparation for adult life.
During discussion, the Forum raised the following points:-
That a report should be received by the Forum at a later date advising what the service provided and what the impact the service was, however, it was recognised that the impact of the service would be monitored and reported on as part of the contract management process;
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Benchmarking information – The Forum was advised that Devon County Council had an emotional wellbeing service; and the greatest impact had been the upskilling of staff in schools and being able to access services quicker; The Forum was advised that the Council was currently looking at the most appropriate referral pathways and systems with LPFT to create greater fluidity between services, including closing gaps in thresholds between this new Service and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; and That a further report be received at a later date for the Forum to reflect on the effectiveness of the emotional wellbeing/behaviour pathway, however it was recognised that the Forum was a strategic board and the operational pathway would be reviewed and managed by Lincolnshire County Council through its monitoring processes.
RESOLVED
That the report on the New Emotional Wellbeing Service for Children and Young People be noted.
11 OUTREACH SERVICES UPDATE
Consideration was given to a report from Mary Meredith (Children's Service Manager – Inclusion), which provided an update about the Outreach Services commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council on behalf of the Schools' Forum, which comprised of:-
Outreach for Physical Disabilities – provided by St. Francis Special School; Outreach for Autism and Learning Difficulties – provided by the Working Together Team (Gosberton House, Spalding Schools Federation and Lincolnshire Wolds Federation); and Challenging Behaviour Outreach Support Services – provided by family Action.
The Forum was provided with an update against each of the three Services. In relation to the Lincolnshire Physical Disability Outreach Service, the Forum was advised that the service provided three qualified teachers with expertise in different areas; all had experience of working with the SEN providing educational, practical and specific advice on physical disabilities. All of the team then liaised with other professionals involved with the pupil; and also signposted them to other services.
Overall, the service was well regarded and valued by Schools and pupils. The Forum noted that the service had constantly been rated 'Good' and the risk rating had been assessed as low, with areas of outstanding practice.
In relation to the Autism and Learning Difficulties Outreach Service, the Forum noted that the Working Together Team (WTT) was providing educational support for school aged pupils with special educational needs. It was highlighted that the service had been nominated for the Accreditation Excellence Award in recognition of a service operating at the very highest of levels.
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It was reported that since September 2015, 349 Schools/Academies and 1,414 pupils had accessed support from WTT. 7,738 delegates had completed Tier 1 Training Autism Education Trust; 598 at Tier 2; with Tier 3 beginning to be rolled with 11 delegates attending so far.
Feedback received from mainstream schools had been very positive and the service had been identified as being an accessible source of practical and sensible advice. The service since it had commenced had been constantly rated at being 'Good' and 'Outstanding.'
The Forum was advised that the Challenging Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS) focussed on early intervention, prevention and support for schools and pupils experiencing behavioural difficulties. The service was also aimed to support containing the growth of exclusions and high specialist placements.
The report highlighted that BOSS provided a bespoke service for all schools in Lincolnshire, strengthening the inclusive approach of schools and building capacity within school settings to manage the social and emotional needs of pupils at risk of exclusion. Since September 2016, BOSS had worked with 332 cases, providing targeted support to manage the behaviour of individual pupils/students that might result in exclusion.
Data shown on page 71 of the report advised that there had been a dramatic reduction in permanent exclusions from primary settings; whilst the number of exclusions in secondary setting had risen slightly. It was also highlighted that the number of non-excluding secondary schools had increased significantly during 2016/17 academic year.
The Forum noted that the BOSS Restorative Schools Pilot offered a dedicated Restorative Practice Manager for a 12 month period to scope, manage and be responsible for delivering the pilot across 16 schools in Lincolnshire. It was noted that 88 Restorative Champions had undertaken training, including two 6th form pupils. BOSS had also delivered 75 training sessions to schools about restorative approaches and attachment. Over 200 teaching staff and lunch time supervisors had accessed the training. Positive feedback had been received, some of which was detailed on pages 73/74 of the report. It was noted that the service was continually improved following comments received.
Overall, the Forum welcomed the holistic approach and felt that the Forum should receive an annual update.
RESOLVED
That the Outreach Services Update be noted; and that further update reports be received annually.
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12 TEAM AROUND THE CHILD (TAC) IN LINCOLNSHIRE
Consideration was given to a report from Paula Whitehead (Children's Service Manager – Team Around the Child), which provided an update on Team Around the Child (TAC) in Lincolnshire, in the form of an annual report. A copy of the Annual Report for 2016/17 for Team Around the Child in Lincolnshire was detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.
The Annual report provided information regarding TAC highlighted achievements and identified areas for development.
It was noted that TAC was Lincolnshire's multi-agency methodology for the provision of co-ordinated support to children, young people and families within an Early Help arena. TAC supported children and young people between 0 – 19 years, unborn babies and could also be used with consent up to the age of 24, where a young person had a learning difficulty or a disability.
Page 82 of the report highlighted that over the last two years the volume of contacts that had been monitored had risen by 22%. It was highlighted that as contacts could take several weeks to resolve, it was expected the number of Early Help Assessments and resolved cases to increase. It was highlighted further that 26% of contacts with an outcome had resulted in an Early Help Assessment being completed. Pages 83 to 89 provided the Forum with information relating to open TAC cases; which including sector information; age and cases referred to social care; TAC Closures 2016/17, Advice Support and Guidance.
Lead professional's comments expressing how beneficial the service was were detailed on page 87/88 and 90 of the report.
The report also provided an update on priorities from the last annual report overall, the feedback received from schools and lead professionals had been positive, but there was still more than could be done. A list of priorities for the coming year was shown on page 94 of the report, which highlighted the areas for further improvement, which included:-
Continue the development of Signs of Safety and relationship-based practice; Identify and promote best practice with regard to children's and families' journeys through services and safeguarding; Increase the provision of Quality Assurance visits; and use these to identify and act upon good practice, and areas for development; Continue to develop and improve TAC website, Handbook and other written online resources; Support the Health Sector to increase and improve the quality of their participation within TAC; and Increase the use of family support networks.
During a short discussion, Officers confirmed TAC brought all support to the child together, including emotional support. Some concern was expressed regarding
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transition, this was acknowledged by officers. It was also highlighted that further work needed to be done regarding step-down, it was confirmed that the work stream 'Partners in Practice' would help improve this further.
RESOLVED
That the annual report on Team Around the Child in Lincolnshire be noted.
13 ACADEMIES UPDATE
The Forum received a report from John O'Connor (Children's Services Manager – Education Support), which provided information on the latest number of academies and pupils in academies.
The Head of Finance, Children's Services presented the report and advised the Forum of the position as at the 1 June 2017. The Forum noted that since the last report there had been no further academy conversions. The total number of academies therefore remained at 144; 39.8% of the total, and the number of pupils educated in academies was 64,944 FTE of the total.
The Forum noted that at the time of writing the report there were eight schools currently targeted to convert to academy status within the next six months. Four of the conversions were special schools; and the remaining four were primary schools. Page 97 of the report provided the Forum with a projected six month status of all Lincolnshire Schools.
It was highlighted that the conversion of Sutterton Fourfields Church of England School and Swineshead St Mary's Church of England Primary School had been postponed.
The report also highlighted that two of the conversions were sponsored conversions of secondary schools. The Louth Monks' Dyke Tennyson College would be joining Tollbar Academy Trust and Cherry Willingham Community School would be joining The Priory Federation of Academies.
RESOLVED
That the Academies Update report be noted.
14 LINCOLNSHIRE SCHOOLS' FORUM - WORK PROGRAMME
Members of the Forum were invited to consider the work programme presented.
The Forum was advised that future meetings dates would be included as an item on the October agenda.
Page 17 14
RESOLVED
That the Work Programme presented be noted.
The meeting closed at 3.13 pm
Page 18 Agenda Item 6
Regulatory and Other Committee
Open Report on behalf of Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services
Report to: Schools Forum Date: 04 October 2017 Subject: National Funding Formula for schools KeyDecision decision? Reference: No Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the national funding formula for schools and high needs for 2018/19 and 2019/20.
Recommendation(s): The Schools Forum is asked to note the content of the report.
Background
On the 14 September 2017, the government announced the national funding formula for schools and high needs. This follows the governments: stage 1 consultation on the 7 March 2016, which outlined the principles that would underpin the proposed formula and the pupil characteristics and factors to be included within the formula; stage 2 consultation on the 14 December 2016, which provided details of the proposed funding formula including illustrative school funding allocations. The consultation however outlined that its implementation would be pushed back to 2018/19, and in July 2017, the government confirmed that the introduction of the national funding formula would be supported by additional investment in 2018/19 and 2019/20. An additional £1.3bn for schools and high needs (£416m in 2018/19, and £884 million in 2019/20) would be provided, over and above the schools budget set at Spending Review 2015 (overall the total schools budget will increase by £2.6 billion between this year to 2019/20). Over the next two years, the government claim this will enable per- pupil spending to be maintained in real terms.
Through the national funding formula the government plan to implement a fairer settlement for each school. The changes are to be implemented in 2018/19. The government however plan to transition to the national funding formula through a 'soft' approach in 2018/19 and 2019/20, whereby Local Authorities (LAs) will continue to be responsible for calculating schools funding allocations. The overall funding will be determined at a LA level by the government's national funding formula by calculating notional budgets for each school. LAs are encouraged to move towards the national funding formula so that schools' allocations are on a sensible trajectory towards the move to a 'hard' national funding formula from 2020/21. LAs will be responsible for consulting with their local schools and Schools Forum on their proposed schools funding formula. Each local area will therefore be funded on a fair and equitable basis, according to the national funding formula.
Page 19 The policy document released on the 14 September 2017 can be found from the link below. Included within the government's release are high-level illustrative school allocations (Impact of the schools NFF). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-for-schools-and- high-needs
At the time of writing this report, the government has not released the schools national funding formula Technical Guidance; national funding formula school level detail, and the Authority Proforma Tool to allow LAs to undertake financial modelling at a school level in preparation for consulting with all schools on the proposed funding formula for 2018/19.
Schools National Funding Formula
The government has outlined the building blocks of the schools national funding formula, this includes: basic per-pupil funding (including the minimum per-pupil level which is an additional factor to the government's original proposals), additional needs funding, school- led funding and geographical funding. The 14 formula factors within these building blocks are detailed below1:
The basis of the government's schools national funding formula is grounded in the current distribution of funding using the application of averages that reflect LAs local funding formula allocations, as opposed to looking at the costs of running a school and understanding the cost of pupil needs (i.e. a needs based approach). Without undertaking this needs based approach it does not provide suitable evidence that the funding levels for schools are sufficient to meet the needs of pupils and the costs of operating schools of different sizes.
The government has however recognised the financial challenges faced by schools by adding an additional £1.3bn in schools and high needs funding over 2018/19 and 2019/20. It is estimated on a per pupil basis, schools are facing financial pressures (of pay increases, employer contributions to national insurance and pensions, apprenticeship levy etc.) of around 8% between 2016/17 and 2019/20, including around 1.6% in each of 2018/19 and 2019/20.
1 Extract from The National Funding Formula for Schools and High Needs – policy document (September 2017).
Page 20 The current funding settlement is up to 2019/20, however funding levels beyond 2019/20 will be subject to decisions taken at the next spending review.
The key points from the proposed schools national funding formula:
Funding distribution a key consideration in designing the national funding formula for schools is the ratio of funding between the primary and secondary phases. The government intend to maintain the primary to secondary ratio in line with the current national average of 1:1.29 (i.e. secondary funding being on average 29% higher overall than primary funding).
Per-pupil funding to continue to differentiate basic per-pupil funding between key stages by maintaining stepped rates between primary, key stage 3 and key stage 4, to reflect the higher costs as pupils progress. the age-weighted pupil unit (AWPU) is the fundamental building block of the national funding formula. This is the basic funding that all pupils attract. The government's additional £1.3bn investment has enabled the AWPU rates to increase from those previously proposed (the primary, key stage 3 and key stage 4 per pupil rates have increased by £35, £66 and £74 respectively). to maximise the proportion of funding allocated to pupil-led factors compared to the current funding system, so that as much funding as possible is spent in relation to pupils and their characteristics (therefore reducing spending on school-led factors e.g. lump sum). the basic per-pupil factor will distribute 72.9% of total schools funding, and 90.7% of total funding will be allocated through per-pupil factors. LAs must allocate at least 80% of the delegated schools block funding through pupil-led factors in 2018/19. pupil deprivation will be identified through two indicators: eligibility for free school meals (FSM) (where this will be current eligibility and historic eligibility through the Ever6 measure), and the level of deprivation in the postcode where the pupil lives (measured using the government's income deprivation affecting children index (IDACI) measure). low prior attainment measures identify pupils who are likely to need extra support. A pupil who does not achieve the expected level in the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile on entry to primary school will attract an additional £1,050 a year through the formula, throughout their time in primary school. A pupil who does not achieve the expected level at key stage 2 will attract an additional £1,550 a year while in secondary education. pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL) will attract additional funding to recognise the cost associated with providing support at school. A pupil with EAL will attract funding if they have entered the state education system during the last three years. a mobility factor in the national funding formula is intended to support schools that have a high proportion of pupils joining the school mid-way through the academic year. The government will however only fund LAs on the amount they distributed through their mobility factor in 2017/18 – Lincolnshire did not have a mobility factor within the 2017/18 local formula, therefore will not receiving funding through the national funding formula for this factor. the government has transferred the total amount spent through looked-after children (LAC) factors in local formulae in 2017/18 to the pupil premium plus budget. As a result of this transfer, the 2018/19 pupil premium plus rate will be £2,300. Lincolnshire
Page 21 is to be disadvantaged financially from the approach being proposed by the government.
School-led funding to continue to provide every school with a lump sum, but at a lower level than the current national average so that more funding can be directed to the pupil-led factors. to set the lump sum rate at £110,000 for all schools. The purpose of the lump sum is to make a contribution to the costs that do not vary with pupil numbers, and to give schools certainty that they will attract a fixed amount each year in addition to their pupil-led funding. The government has set the lump sum in the context of maximising pupil-led funding and encouraging efficiency. The monetary value is lower than the current average set by LAs (and Lincolnshire), and reflects the government's objective to encourage schools to share resources. to have a sparsity factor to provide small and remote schools with additional funding, over and above the lump sum, to recognise that they can face greater challenges in finding efficiencies and partnering with other schools. Eligibility for sparsity funding depends on the distance the pupils in the school would have to travel to their next nearest school and the average number of pupils per year group. Primary schools qualifying will attract up to £25,000 and secondary schools up to £65,000 of funding through a scaling approach. Premises-related funding will be allocated through four factors: rates, split-sites, private finance initiative (PFI) and exceptional circumstances. This will be funded on the basis of historic spend for the first year of the formula in 2018/19.
Other key funding factors to recognise the higher salary costs faced by some schools, especially in London, an area cost adjustment (ACA) using the hybrid methodology will be adopted. Nationally the ACA ranges between 1.00 and 1.18 and for eligible schools, it will be applied to the entire schools funding. Lincolnshire schools do not trigger any additional funding through this route. schools can receive gains of up to 3% per-pupil in 2018/19, and then up to a further 3% in 2019/20. To ensure small schools are not restricted to small funding gains through the application of the 3% cap, the government will limit gains to the greater of 3% of a school’s baseline or 20% of their remaining formula cash gains. The level of any gains caps beyond 2019/20 will be subject to decisions taken at the next spending review. the national formula will provide at least 0.5% per pupil increase in 2018/19 and at least 1% per pupil by 2019/20 in respect of all schools compared to their 2017/18 baselines. the 0.5% per pupil increase has replaced the government's original proposal of having an overall ‘funding floor’ within the funding formula to protect a school of seeing reductions of more than 3% per-pupil overall as a result of this formula. In addition, it would appear a minus minimum funding guarantee would not be applicable in 2018/19 and 2019/20, as is currently the case. It must be noted that the policy document refers only to funding agreement up to 2019/20, and funding levels beyond 2019/20 will be subject to decisions taken at the next spending review. local authority maintained school baselines for protection purposes are based on 2017/18 Authority Proforma Tool data. Academy and free school baselines are based on 2017/18 General Annual Grant data. Detailed school-level data will be required from government to confirm the position, but the government appear to be locking in former Local Authority Central Spend Equivalent Grant (LACSEG) protection funding (also referred to by the Education Skills Funding Agency as the 'local minimum funding guarantee') into an academy schools' baseline.
Page 22 the government has introduced an additional factor in the formula, which will provide a 'minimum per-pupil' funding level over the next two years. This is to recognise those schools where few pupils attract funding through the additional needs factors. for secondary schools, the minimum per pupil funding level for secondary schools will be £4,800 in 2019/20 with a transitional amount of £4,600 in 2018/19; and for primary schools this will be £3,500 in 2019/20 with a transitional amount of £3,300 in 2018/19. The minimum per pupil funding appears to be calculated based on the schools' national funding formula allocation less rates funding. The minimum per-pupil levels and transitional amounts will therefore not be subject to the gains cap methodology.
Schools National Funding Formula Comparison with Lincolnshire's Local Funding Formula
Schools national funding formula Lincolnshire's local funding formula Formula Factors Primary Rates Secondary Rates Primary Rates Secondary Rates Basic per Pupil funding KS 1 & 2 £2,747 KS3 £3,863 KS 1 & 2 £2,557 KS3 £3,482 KS4 £4,386 KS4 £4,292 Additional needs funding Ever 6 FSM £540 £785 £0 £0 Current FSM £440 £440 £1,186 £1,305 IDACI A £575 £810 £484 £1,075 IDACI B £420 £600 £386 £807 IDACI C £390 £560 £320 £685 IDACI D £360 £515 £233 £490 IDACI E £240 £390 £151 £327 IDACI F £200 £290 £76 £162 Low Priory Attainment £1,050 £1,550 £1,641 £1,544 English as an additional language £515 £1,385 £1,000 £1,000 Schools-led Lump Sum £110,000 £110,000 £118,010 £175,000 Sparsity £0 - £25,000 £0 - £65,000 £0 £100,000
Formula factor removed LAC £0 £0 £600 £600
Lincolnshire schools From analysing the high level information provided by the government to date, Lincolnshire schools are benefiting from the national funding formula changes through an increase in funding. Primary schools: in 2018/19, 19 schools are funded on the 0.5% per pupil increase, with the largest number of schools (241) gaining by 3% per pupil or more. In 2019/20, 199 schools are gaining by 6% per pupil or more. Secondary schools: in 2018/19, 16 schools are funded on the 0.5% per pupil increase, with the largest number of schools (33) gaining by 3% per pupil or more. In 2019/20, 17 schools are gaining by 6% per pupil or more.
Next Steps – Schools National Funding Formula
Page 23 the government to release the schools national funding formula Technical Guidance; school level detail and the Authority Proforma Tool to allow the LA to undertake financial modelling. the LA to undertake financial modelling at an individual school level based on the 2018/19 national funding formula rates. Executive Director and Assistant Director of Children's Services, and Executive Councillor Children's Services consulted upon before determining the proposed 2018/19 funding formula for consultation with all local schools (including academies). the LA to undertake a consultation period with all maintained schools and academies in the area on the proposed funding formula for 2018/19 including the method, principles and rules adopted (October / November – timing subject to detailed government material being released). the LA to review and consider feedback from the schools consultation on the proposed 2018/19 funding formula. To consider output with key LA officers and Executive Member. to table a report at an extraordinary Schools Forum meeting (November / December) on the consultation findings, and the proposed 2018/19 funding formula for Schools Forum consideration. the funding formula to go through the LA decision-making process. The LA Finance Team to undertake briefing sessions with all schools on the 2018/19 funding formula. the LA to calculate individual schools budgets by the 28 February 2018.
Local Authority Dedicated Schools Grant
The Local Authority Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) now comprises four blocks: schools, central school services, high needs, and early years block. Each of the four blocks of the DSG will be determined by a separate national funding formula.
Schools block LA schools block allocations will be calculated by aggregating schools’ notional allocations under the national funding formula. Schools block allocations will be expressed as separate per pupil primary and secondary rates for each LA. They will also include funding at a LA level for premises, mobility and growth, based on historic spend.
Central school services block The government proposed the introduction of a central schools block within the DSG for 2018/19 to reflect the ongoing LA role in education. The central school services block will be created from two existing funding streams: the DSG funding that is held centrally by the LA for central services, and the retained duties element of the Education Services Grant (ESG), which is funding for duties which LAs hold in respect of all schools (statutory & regulatory duties; education welfare, and asset management).
Funding will cover two distinct elements which will be handled separately within the formula: ongoing responsibilities: distributes funding to LAs using a simple formula which distributes 90% of funding according to a per-pupil factor and 10% of funding according to a deprivation factor. The funding supports: admissions service; servicing the Schools Forum; nationally agreed schools copyright licences; places in independent schools for non-SEN pupils, and ESG retained duties. historic commitments: funding will be allocated based on evidence, with the expectation that historic commitments will unwind over time, for example because a contract has reached its end point. The budget funds the aggregated broadband
Page 24 provision for all schools (including academies) in Lincolnshire which the contract end date is October 2019, and the funding gap for 7 PFI schools. The LA is currently reviewing the options for schools broadband services post October 2019, however the government will expect schools to meet this cost directly from its delegated schools budgets (i.e. a new cost for schools to budget for). Further information will be provided in due course.
Illustrative allocations provided by the government for ongoing responsibilities show Lincolnshire having a marginal increase in funding for 2018/19. Historic commitments for Lincolnshire have been approved by the government for 2018/19.
High needs block The government is moving to a basis for distributing funding to LAs for children and young people with high needs, taking into account an up-to-date assessment of the level of need in each area as opposed to funding on the basis of historic spending.
LA will be protected from losing funding under the formula and will instead see minimum increases of 0.5% per head in 2018/19 and 1% per head in 2019/20, on their planned high needs spending levels from 2017/18 DSG.
Structure of the high needs funding formula for LAs:
Basic Entitlement: to provide a per pupil amount of £4,000 for all pupils in special schools taken from the school census data collection in the October prior to the year for which allocations are made. Historic funding: to allocate 50% of the remaining funding on the basis of historic spending. This provides every LA with an amount based on its existing high needs costs, and particularly those costs that may not be reflected by indicators of need used in the other formula factors. Proxy Factors: to allocate the other 50% on the basis of proxy factors, such as population, low prior attainment, deprivation factors etc.
For 2017/18, Lincolnshire will be in receipt of £5.201m of protection funding when comparing the national funding formula and Lincolnshire's current high needs block. The
Page 25 government has announced protection arrangements for 2018/19 and 2019/20, and the LA expects that incremental reductions (similar to the schools minimum funding guarantee) will be applied in future years to ensure reductions are manageable and can be planned. The Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) strategy, which involves a comprehensive review of special educational needs provision in Lincolnshire will assist with driving efficiencies and value for money. The review is predicated on developing localised special education opportunities for children and their families in Lincolnshire; enhance the level of collaboration with strategic partners to ensure appropriate provision and support for those with SEND across all schools / academies (i.e. children and young people with SEND get the right education, in the right place, at the right time, as close as possible to their community of place).
High needs funding that is directly influenced by the schools delegated funding, such as targeted notional SEN will need to be reviewed in light of the schools national funding formula implementation in 2018/19 to ensure schools with a higher number of pupils with SEND are funded at the appropriately level overall.
Early years block The government implemented the early years national funding formula in 2017/18, of which Lincolnshire is funded on the 'minimum funding rate' of £4.30 per hour. The LA consulted with all providers, and a universal rate of £3.82 per hour was established along with a deprivation supplement in 2017/18. The early years block covers the 15 hours 3 & 4 year old free entitlement; the additional hours for working families up to 30 hours; disability access fund, early years pupil premium, and disadvantaged 2 year old funding.
Redetermination of budget shares
Where pupils are excluded, funding should flow in-year from the school that has excluded the pupil to the provision that takes responsibility for the pupil. If a school subsequently admits a pupil who has been permanently excluded during that financial year, it should then receive additional funding. The provisions here also apply to pupils who leave a mainstream school for reasons other than permanent exclusion and are receiving education funded by the LA other than at a school. The provisions also act independently of whether a particular pupil has been on the census in the first place and whether the school has received funding for them.
When a pupil is excluded from a maintained mainstream school, then the LA must deduct from the school’s budget in-year the amount within the formula relating to the age and personal circumstances of that pupil, pro rata to the number of complete weeks remaining in the financial year from the relevant date. This means that the deduction should cover not just the basic entitlement but also the relevant amounts for pupil-led factors such as FSMs or EAL, where the pupil attracted funding through those criteria.
The adjustment for a particular exclusion relates only to the current financial year and cannot be applied to subsequent years.
The arrangements for payment will be the same as if the academy were a maintained school, under regulations made under section 47 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. As the wording relates to the finance regulations, the adjustments should also relate to the LA financial year.
Page 26 Consultation a) Have Risks and Impact Analysis been carried out?? No b) Risks and Impact Analysis
N/A
Background Papers
Document title Where the document can be viewed National Funding Formula for http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx? schools – Schools Forum CId=166&MId=4876&Ver=4 Schools National Funding https://consult.education.gov.uk/funding-policy- Formula – stage 2 unit/schools-national-funding-formula2/ National Funding Formula for http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx? schools – Schools Forum CId=166&MId=4439&Ver=4 Schools National Funding https://consult.education.gov.uk/funding-policy- Formula – stage 1 unit/schools-national-funding-formula
This report was written by Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance, who can be contacted on 01522 553326 or [email protected].
Page 27 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 7
Regulatory and Other Committee
Open Report on behalf of Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services
Report to: Schools Forum Date: 04 October 2017 De-delegation of maintained primary school budgets Subject: 2018/19 & 2019/20 KeyDecision decision? Reference: No Summary: The purpose of the report is to seek approval from the maintained primary school representatives' of the Forum to the Local Authory's (LA) proposals for the de-delegation of certain budgets in 2018/19 and 2019/20.
Recommendation(s): That the maintained primary school representatives on the Schools Forum are asked to support the proposals for de-delegation of the budgets for the period 2018/19 and 2019/20, as set out above.
Background
The Department for Education (DfE) previously introduced radical reforms to school funding arrangements in April 2013. Although LAs were required to delegate more budgets to schools as part of the reforms, they were permitted to seek de-delegation of some services for maintained schools. The Government's decision to move to a National Funding Formula in 2018/19 still allows the de-delegation arrangement for maintained schools to continue.
Key features of these arrangements include: Only maintained schools can have funds de-delegated from their budget share. Academies are therefore unaffected and, for that reason, they are not permitted to vote on de-delegation matters. The decision to de-delegate funds for maintained schools should be considered and voted upon separately by each sector. Where there are no maintained school representatives on the Schools Forum for a particular sector, no decision can be made and de-delegation is therefore not possible. Should there be conversion of any more schools to academies, it will reduce the total sum de-delegated for a service, if the per pupil deduction remains unchanged. Any underspendings that arise on budgets de-delegated from maintained schools should, as a point of principle (i.e. fairness), be earmarked for the benefit of the maintained schools in that sector only.
Page 29 De-delegations for 2017/18
For 2017/18 maintained primary schools agreed to de-delegate funding for: Contingency, i.e. termination of employment costs for schools in financial difficulty, and; exceptional unforeseen costs; and Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET).
No funds were de-delegated for maintained secondary schools.
The report to the Schools Forum last year stated that the cumulative underspend at 31st March 2016 was £1.085m.
At the meeting 5th October 2016, it was agreed that: 1. Due to government regulations, the easiest way to return unspent funds to the maintained primary schools was to adjust the LA's proposed charges for the following year. It was accepted that as a consequence of this approach, the per pupil amounts de-delegated would vary from year to year. 2. In light of the cumulative underspend reported, and considering the decision to continue with the reduced de-delegation rates in 2016/17 for maintained primary schools with the remaining costs being met from cumulative underspend (the cumulative underspend was projected to fall to £0.551m by March 20171), the LA proposed to continue with the current de-delegation rates in 2017/18 for maintained primary schools. 3. To set the sums de-delegated for 2017/18 as follows: Contingency2 £11.01 per pupil Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET) £ 5.44 per pupil
Proposals for 2018/19
It was previously proposed that the charges for 2018/19 would revert back to the baseline amounts per pupil for the de-delegation budgets; as opposed to using cumulative underspends to part fund the de-delegation services.
The cumulative underspend reported at 31st March 2017 is £0.853m. The main variance between the forecasted (£0.551m) and the actual cumulative underspend related to the reported underspend on termination of employment costs for schools in financial difficulty of £0.152m, which is demand driven. The LA Staffing Reduction Panel meets to carefully consider maintained primary schools’ applications to access the termination of employment costs for schools in financial difficulties budget. Schools will need to demonstrate that without implementing its proposed staffing reductions it will fall into a deficit within two years. Only then will this budget contribute to the redundancy costs. The financial contribution that maintained primary schools will be required to make towards redundancies (if they meet the criteria) will be the first £5,000 of the total cost of every redundancy; or 50% of the total cost of every redundancy, whichever is the greater, subject to a maximum redundancy amount payable of 2.5% of the school’s budget share for the financial year.
Based on the assumption that the budgets would be fully spent in 2017/18 the cumulative underspend is projected to fall to £0.316m by March 2018. This however includes the budget being fully spent on the termination of employment costs for schools in financial
1 The projected 31st March 2017 cumulative underspend position was based on the assumption that the budgets will be fully spent. 2 This includes the Termination of Employment costs, Interim / Consultant headteachers and School Improvement.
Page 30 difficulty (£0.250m), which as outlined above is a demand-led budget and not straightforward to forecast on.
With the Government's decision to move to the National Funding Formula in 2018/19 that will see all schools receive a 0.5% per pupil increase, and the anticipated gains for Lincolnshire schools through its implementation, it is expected that this additional funding will help address some of their financial challenges, although it must be noted that the funding is largely driven by pupil-led funding therefore pupil numbers must remain viable. Based on the Government's funding announcement and previous spend levels on the termination of employment costs for schools in financial difficulty, the LA propose to reduce the budget by £0.1m to £0.150m in 2018/19. The financial position on this budget will need to be monitored annually, particularly with the high number of small rural maintained primary schools.
The primary maintained schools contingency budgets3 are demand-led in nature and require a degree of prudence, therefore the LA propose to retain a £0.2m provision within the cumulative underspend. This provision will ensure predictably in de-delegation amounts for primary maintained schools where unexpected costs arise to the delivery of services, i.e. an increased demand from primary maintained schools.
Considering the anticipated cumulative underspend and provision to be retained for unexpected costs, the LA propose to continue with reduced de-delegation rates in 2018/19 for maintained primary schools with the remaining costs being met from cumulative underspend.
Contingency £16.06 per pupil Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET) £ 5.44 per pupil
This would finance: Termination of employment costs £0.150m Consultant headteachers £0.291m Exceptional unforeseen costs £0.380m Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET) £0.189m
Proposals for 2019/20
It is proposed that the charges for 2019/20 would revert back to the baseline amounts per pupil for the de-delegation budgets, which would be set at:
Contingency £23.57 per pupil Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET) £ 5.44 per pupil
These figures are indicative. They are based on the October 2016 census and 34,818 maintained primary pupils. The figures may change slightly due to the DfE's requirement for LAs to use the latest October census for the detailed calculations. The budget requirements will also be kept under review.
Information regarding the current services is set out in Appendix 1.
3 This includes the Termination of Employment costs, Interim / Consultant headteachers and School Improvement.
Page 31 Next Steps
The outcomes from the decisions made by maintained primary representatives on the Schools Forum will be reflected in maintained primary schools' future budgets.
Consultation a) Have Risks and Impact Analysis been carried out?
No b) Risks and Impact Analysis
N/A
Appendices
These are listed below and attached at the back of the report Appendix 1 Details of the current service provision funded through the de- delegation budgets.
Background Papers
Document title Where the document can be viewed De-delegation of http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CI maintained d=166&MId=4576&Ver=4 primary schools budgets 2017/18 and 2018/19.
This report was written by Mark Popplewell, who can be contacted on 01522 553326 or [email protected].
Page 32 APPENDIX 1
Details of current service provision
Schools in financial difficulty and exceptional unforeseen costs a. Schools in financial difficulty
The DfE reforms no longer permit the LA to hold a budget for school redundancies. Since 2013/14, Schools Forum representatives of maintained primary schools have voted to retain a budget for schools in financial difficulty. The LA’s Staffing Reduction panel continues to meet to consider requests for redundancies and access to those funds. The LA’s long established policy of charging schools for a share of redundancy costs remains in place. However, a tightening of those arrangements was introduced in 2013/14, such that a contribution from this budget will only be made for schools that are likely to overspend within the next two financial years if no action is taken. The costs incurred against this budget in recent years have been low and the budget has been reduced accordingly.
Since the reforms were introduced, a budget has not been held for maintained secondary schools. This was mainly because there were relatively few maintained secondary schools and several of them were considered unlikely to fall in to financial difficulty. It was therefore assumed that the sector would probably not be supportive of creating a de-delegated budget. Also, it was recognised that with so few secondary maintained schools, there would not be sufficient critical mass to operate an insurance type arrangement, as is possible with maintained primary schools. b. Exceptional unforeseen costs
The DfE expects a de-delegated budget for exceptional unforeseen costs to finance those costs which it would be unreasonable to expect governing bodies to meet. In Lincolnshire, de-delegation was approved in 2013/14 to finance the long established school intervention work, and the provision of the Consultant Headteachers service. A budget was not de-delegated for maintained secondary schools, for similar reasons to those explained above.
Further detail on the use of the funds this year for: Consultant Headteacher Primary Maintained School Intervention Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET) is set out below.
Page 1
Page 33
Consultant Headteacher Deployment
With effect from 1st September 2016 there is a team of 6 Consultant Headteachers: one permanent, full time team leader; 2 permanent team members (1 full time, 1 at 0.8 FTE) and 3 seconded team members at 0.2 FTE until 31st August 2018.
The 0.2 FTE posts are used to support and mentor all new and acting headteachers, of maintained primary schools, in Lincolnshire. Each new headteacher has an offer of up to 6 days or 12 half days support. This support programme covers all the main aspects of the role. If significant issues emerge support to the school moves to the permanent team so that more time can be given to coaching whole leadership teams.
The permanent team:
work alongside headteachers and leadership teams in vulnerable schools. provide part or full time Consulant Headteachers in schools where the headteacher is absent and no leaders from within the school are able to step into the role. work alongside acting headteachers to coach and mentor them to enable them to quickly become skilled leaders. are usually deployed in schools graded by OfSTED as Requiring Improvement or inadequate to support rapid improvement. liaise with governors, teaching schools, neighbouring schools and Locality Leads to find longer term support for leadership teams where appropriate. provide a rapid response to urgent requests for support. spend varying amounts of time in each school as this is determined by the school’s own capacity for sustaining the improvements.
The team is led by a Lead Consultant Head Teacher. She arranges deployment of the team and ensures that schools needing urgent support get it quickly.
Page 2
Page 34 Primary Maintained School Intervention 2016-17 Review
The purpose
The Intervention Funding budget supports maintained primary schools to make rapid, identified improvements where school finances would otherwise prevent this from happening. The funding enables schools to continue to be good schools or to rapidly improve to become a good school.
Amount of funding received and spent
For the 2016/17 financial year the budget funded 20 different schools for specific issues. These were identified through a combination of Locality Leads, Consultant Head Teachers, governors and leadership teams.
In 2016/17 the Intervention budget was £381,314. Schools bid for specific amounts and send in plans which detail the amount, the reason and the expected impact of the additional funding. The school has to show that they do not have the funding in their own budget to enable them to make the necessary improvements or changes. Amounts in bids ranged from £1,200 to £19,000.
How funding was spent
The Intervention budget, as identified above, was spent on a combination of development programmes, professional development, Governance reviews, National Leader of Governance support, Leadership development, additional intervention and audits and other aspects of work to ensure performance, safety and standards were assured. Schools were required to show that whatever was bid for was sustainable and would improve outcomes for pupils and students.
Outcomes
Where schools have been subject to HMI monitoring visits, these have been positive regarding support from the Local Authority. Additionally, schools that have had intervention funding have seen a positive rapid improvement with 60% having improved and being rated as no longer having issues by the Locality Lead, or have received a good outcome in the OFSTED inspection. Another 20% of these schools, are also viewed as being on track to achieve a positive improvement moving forward.
Proposals for 2017/18
It is proposed that the budget allocated enables a similar level of engagement with vulnerable schools through the financial year 2017/18 to enable this work with schools to continue. This will be paramount, at a time when budgets are stretched to the limit, that we can support vulnerable maintained primary schools to ensure positive outcome for Lincolnshire children and young people by supporting the ability to intervene in improving governance, teaching and learning and leadership.
Page 3
Page 35 Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET)
The Service Area
The Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMAS) was reconfigured in September 2011 to form the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team (EMTET). The current team has a two tier structure that advises and supports schools to accommodate the needs of ethnic minority and traveller children. The officers support schools to work with families and ensure that they are able to access services available to their children, particularly education. They support the integration of specific children as well as help schools to develop and maintain systems that are needed to provide a fully inclusive and safe environment for these particular groups of young people. The team leaders are able to offer more specific advice required by schools to support children with English as an Additional Language (EAL). The service has received positive feedback from schools, services and families.
Background to need
There are 10,049 pupils in Lincolnshire school that have EAL. Of these around 3,080 have either been in the country for less than 2 years or have started year reception as an EAL learner. Of those EAL learners, 60% are in maintained schools, 40% in academies. More than 80% of the new EAL learners are in the primary schools. EMTET will work with those schools that either lack knowledge or experience of good practice in supporting Ethnic Minority, Travellers or pupils with EAL, or where the school has tried a number of strategies and seeks specialist support for further advice. There is a growing demand for support in relation to communication with parents, children with special needs and integration of Traveller children. From Autumn 2016 and then annually, as part of the schools census, schools will need to indicate a pupil's proficiency in English where the pupil's language is 'other than English'. It is important that a specialist team is available for schools to ensure their assessment is accurate and support to improve provision is accessible. National and international events have led to an increase in incidents of a racist nature including hate crime. Where required, the service supports schools and families to address individual racist incidents and reduce future intolerance to those of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
The purpose of the Service
The overall aim of the EMTET is to provide a service to schools and families that support the following objectives: Improving the safety and well-being of Ethnic Minority and Traveller children (supporting families to find a school place and settle into education). Improving access to learning particularly those with EAL (advising schools of good EAL practice through training and consultancy). Supporting transition (supporting family's knowledge of school admissions, school systems, transport, free school meals etc.). Improving conditions for learning that reflect culture and lifestyle, and value diversity - training and workshops to school staff and young people, working with parents to improve integration.
Budget received/ spent
The service is funded, in part, by a de-delegated contribution (from maintained primary schools) of £0.189m. During 2013/14 the service undertook a number of measures to ensure that it operated within its budget (due to the per pupil apportionment of the original budget to academy schools) for the 2014/15 financial year including the re-structuring the service and its delivery.
The service reduced has 1.8fte team leaders and 4.6fte officers both on 38 week contracts. To part- mitigate the annual budget reduction the service introduced elements that are income generating. £0.189m funds 78% of the total service cost.
Page 4
Page 36
Outcomes for the Service
Supporting approximately 118 children per year, through a single child referral process (this may lead to impact on wider family and/or whole class/school. Support to develop and improve current practice for supporting Ethnic Minority and Traveller families. Training and consultancy advice for schools and school staff on supporting pupils with EAL and cultural awareness. Supporting the admission of ethnic minority and Traveller families into school, particularly reception. Workshops with young people around cultural and language awareness and understanding equality (50 sessions). Coordinating racial incident reporting and assisting schools to deal with racist related behaviour. Use of bilingual supporters to help school engage with children and families. Exploring opportunities through communities, that impact on pupil's progress and integration. A new Supplementary School Partnership has been formed to support the 13 schools across Lincolnshire.
Future Developments
The launch of a First Language Assessment toolkit in Autumn 2017. A new snap survey for requesting support and reporting racist incidents to be launched in October 2017. The launch of a Parent Ambassador scheme. Increasing number of bilingual supports available to schools.
Page 5
Page 37 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 8
Regulatory and Other Committee
Open Report on behalf of Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services
Report to: Schools Forum Date: 04 October 2017 Subject: Revised Schools Budget 2017/18 KeyDecision decision? Reference: No Summary: The purpose of this report is to notify the Schools Forum of the revised Schools Budget for 2017/18 and to seek support for the proposed use of the underspending from 2016/17.
Recommendation(s): Schools Forum is asked to: 1) note the contents of the report, and 2) support the LAs proposals for use of the uncommitted sum, as outlined in section 5.
The views of the Schools Forum will be reported to Children's Services Directorate Management Team and Executive Councillor for Children's Services before final decisions are made.
Background
1. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is a ring-fenced grant that can only be spent for the purposes outlined in the Department for Education's (DfE’s) regulations. A revision to the Schools Budget is necessary each year to reflect the under or overspending arising on the DSG in the previous financial year and adjustment to the DSG once the Early Years figures have been confirmed. Under DfE’ regulations, underspendings are carried forward automatically to the following financial year and the Local Authority (LA) must consult with the Schools Forum over its plans to utilise underspendings, or address overspendings.
The carry forward for 2016/17
2. The cumulative underspend carried forward at 31/3/17 was £10.782m. This represents c.9% of the 2017/18 DSG (£516.230m) less the delegated schools budget (£391.791m). This reflects the net underspendings of £1.919m on budgets held centrally within the DSG. Details are set out in Appendix A.
Page 39 Existing commitments
3. A thorough review of commitments has taken place and prudent estimates of those have been made. They total £3.017m. Details are set out in Appendix B. Some commitments are anticipated but cannot be quantified at this stage.
Proposed developments
4. The LA is proposing a development relating to the Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) strategy. A comprehensive review of special educational needs provision in Lincolnshire is currently underway, which is predicated on developing localised special education opportunities for children and their families in Lincolnshire; enhance the level of collaboration with strategic partners to ensure appropriate provision and support for those with special educational needs and disabilities across all schools / academies.
An options appraisal has been undertaken and this will lead to the development of a SEND Strategy that will be presented to the Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee in December 2017. Once the proposed Strategy has been to Scrutiny an update will be presented to the Schools' Forum. There is significant potential capital investment to support the re-modelling of provision in the county and it is therefore essential that the legacy of this work will be that children and young people with SEND get the right education, in the right place, at the right time, as close as possible to their community of place.
It is anticipated that this strategy will require revenue to support the implementation of this strategy, such as training, start-up costs, transitional support etc. The project is at its early stages, but the LA feel it is prudent, and of sound financial planning to earmark revenue funding of up to £2.000m from the DSG underspend for this project whilst funding remains available. The proposed amount is purely indicative. The LA intends to bring comprehensive reports to the Schools Forum on the SEND strategy and its planned rollout, which will allow the forum to make more informed judgements and to provide their views, including the proposed use of the DSG underspend.
Proposals for use of the uncommitted sum
5. The cumulative underspend (£10.782m), less existing commitments (£3.017m) and proposed developments (£2.000m) leaves £5.765m. However, as stated in paragraph 3 above, there are likely to be other commitments that arise during the year within the schools arena that the LA will be required to respond to. The £5.765m figure represents only c.5% of the 2017/18 DSG (less the delegated schools budget). The DSG continues to be at the lowest level of underspend for several years.
The government has released the indicative funding settlements for 2018/19 and 2019/20 relating to schools and high needs. The government has provided a degree of stability for LAs funding relating to the 'schools central block' and 'high needs block'. The LA has applied prudence when setting central budgets due to the demand-led nature of budgets (inter-relationship with school practices) and cost implications. It is critical that the LA acts prudently to avoid overspending the DSG.
Before deciding how the uncommitted sum should be used, it is again important to recognise that there are several reasons why the LA must act prudently to avoid overspending the DSG in future years. Several of the budgets are large, demand-led and uncontrollable; the high needs block has experienced a growth in costs in recent years, and the division of the DSG into four blocks will limit budget movement to
Page 40 respond to financial challenges (for example, LAs will be able to transfer up to 0.5% of their schools block funding out with the agreement of their Schools Forum, and having demonstrated that they have consulted with all maintained schools and academies) is being implemented for 2018/19. Furthermore, under the DfE' regulations, the Schools Forum has to approve the writing off of any DSG overspend if they arise against the future years DSG, and due to the aforementioned funding restraints, the LA cannot take the risk of approval not being given. In view of these and other uncertainties, it is therefore proposed that c.£2.7m of the DSG underspending reported at March 2017 is set aside to finance any pressures that emerge as a result of these uncertainties. This sum equates to c.2% of the 2017/18 DSG (less the delegated schools budget).
The LA does however recognise the financial challenges facing schools even allowing for the additional funding the government is investing in schools from 2018/19 through the national funding formula. The LA is clear that any remaining monies should be put to good use and should not be retained indefinitely. The LA therefore proposing to distribute the 'one-off' remaining balance (c.£3m) to schools. The LA proposes to include the distribution of this one-off funding through the 2018/19 funding formula, and to mirror the DfE’s Devolved Formula Capital (DfC) distribution mechanism, i.e. lump sum of £4,000 per school with the remaining funds going through pupil funding. The one-off funding amounts per school sector will be determined upon the October 2017 data being released.
The reason for adopting this approach is to recognise that as part of the government’s settlement, DfC has been reduced by 75% in schools, and with cash flat funding, schools will have found it challenging to keep investing in school buildings.
Conclusion
Consultation a) Have Risks and Impact Analysis been carried out?? No b) Risks and Impact Analysis
N/A
Appendices
Page 41 These are listed below and attached at the back of the report Appendix A Central DSG Budgets 2016/17 - explanations of major under an overspendings. Appendix B 2016/17 DSG commitments
Background Papers
Docume Where the document can be viewed nt title Revised http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?Cld=166&Mld Schools =4576&Ver=4 Budgets 2016/17
This report was written by Mark Popplewell, Head of Finance, who can be contacted on 01522 553326 or [email protected].
Page 42 Appendix A
DSG Central Budgets 2016/17 – Explanations for major underspendings and overspendings
The main underspendings and overspendings were:
Budget (Underspend) / Overspend £m Unallocated Headroom (0.528) This was the uncommitted sum set aside last year.
Schools Growth Fund (0.615) This budget funds school reorganisations to support the LA's statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for children of Lincolnshire through changes to schools planned admission numbers temporarily or permanently. The LA was unable to meet the deadline for 'gap' funding allocations, therefore part of this underspend is required to meet outstanding commitments in 2017/18.
Independent School and Out of County Placements 0.669 Placements made for SEND pupils in independent schools in Lincolnshire due to the complex nature of the pupils. There has been a rise in placements made through this route (£0.527m overspend). Please refer to the Annual Schools Forum report on Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).
Placements made when Lincolnshire schools cannot meet need. The largest proportion of young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties (£0.142m overspend).
Funding for Education Health Care (EHC) plans and Targeted Notional Funding 0.941 A rise in the number of pupils with EHC plans, which trigger top up funding. Lincolnshire is above the average at 3.3% of the school population (£0.601m overspend).
Targeted funding triggered to support mainstream schools with notional SEN funding where they have a higher number of high level EHC plans compared to similar size schools (£0.340m overspend). This arrangement will need to be considered in conjunction with the School National Funding Formula changes.
Special Schools Funding 0.496 There has been an increase in the number of pupils placed in special schools (the Autumn place number identified an increase of 56 from the prior year), which contributed to the overspend (£0.304m), and additional costs to special schools agreed by the Service Manager – SEND to support placements at risk of breaking down (£0.258m). Other adjustments were made to special school budgets relating to commissioned placed funding and top up removal for pupil movements.
Parked SEN Funding (0.649) Funding parked to cover the growth in the base budget for SEN as a result of the DfE' requirement for the LA to delegate some of the funding for Band 6 to 8 statements and to the introduction of EHC plans. As reported in the Annual Schools Forum report on SEND and the overspends reported in this paper, there are growing financial pressures in this area.
Learners with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities (0.361) Top up funding for post-16 pupils in special schools and college providers based on their EHC plan needs. There has been a reduction in the volume of post-16 learners meeting the higher needs threshold compared to when the budget was transferred into the DSG by the DfE.
Behaviour Outreach Support Service (0.500) The outreach service started in September 2016, therefore only part year costs had been incurred in 2016/17. The full budget requirement is needed in 2017/18.
Page 43
Schools Broadband costs (0.464) The budget funds the aggregated broadband provision for all schools (including academies). This budget is a historical funding commitment (pre-2013 decision) and in line with the government's school policy will remain in place until the contract ends in October 2019. The budget is however prudently set due to the government's limitations on increasing the budget beyond its current level.
An unexpected lower broadband charge was made in 2016/17, which is being investigated.
Other Underspends & overspends Other main underspend include: Special Unit funding (-£0.277m), Medical funding (- £0.291m), Early Years graduate leader fund (-£0.311m), Alternative Provision Places (-£0.169m) including other small under and overspends.
Total (1.919m)
Page 44 Appendix B
2016/17 DSG commitments
The commitments are:
Budget Commitment £m Early years disadvantaged two year old funding 1.070 This is unspent two year old trajectory funding from central government from previous years to support sufficiency and take-up of provision. This commitment was supported by the Schools Forum in October 2016.
Sector-led investment 0.702 Funding for Sector-led school improvements have been approved by the Schools Forum in April 2015 (£0.5m) and October 2016 (£0.5m) to support its implementation and 3 year strategic plan to achieve an integrative, school-led system of school improvement to drive the strategic vision for education in Lincolnshire.
The investment has made a significant impact and Lincolnshire schools are now at the forefront nationally of this agenda.
Schools Growth Fund 0.245 Funding for school reorganisations to support the LA's statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for children of Lincolnshire through changes to schools planned admission numbers temporarily or permanently. The LA was unable to meet the deadline for 'gap' funding allocations, therefore part of the reported underspend in 2016/17 is required to meet outstanding commitments in 2017/18.
School re-organisations, includes extending schools and closures 1.000 These are the estimated commitments for various school reorganisations to ensure the LA fulfils its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for the children of Lincolnshire. Funding for schools growth is fixed at £2m within the Schools National Funding Formula from 2018/19, and with the anticipation of pupil growth entering the secondary sector in September 2018 the cost commitments are expected to rise, therefore creating a provision to manage this.
Total 3.017
Page 45 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 9
Regulatory and Other Committee
Open Report on behalf of Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services
Report to: Schools Forum Date: 04 October 2017 Subject: School Carry Forwards 2016/17 KeyDecision decision? Reference: No Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide information regarding Lincolnshire's maintained schools' carry forwards at 31st March 2017.
Recommendation(s): The Schools Forum is asked to note the content of the report.
Background
Maintained schools are permitted to carry forward underspends from one year to the next, subject to the provisions of the Local Authority's (LA) school carry forward policy, which forms part of Lincolnshire’s Scheme for Financing Schools.
School Carry Forwards 2016/17
The sum carried forward each year is largely a matter for individual school governing bodies. The overall level of school budget share carry forwards in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools has fallen by £2.925m (-24.6%), from £11.880m in 2015/16 to £8.955m at the end of 2016/17 (please note that to ensure consistency, the 2015/16 comparator figures exclude the carry forwards of any schools that closed or converted to academy during the year).
Nursery schools’ carry forwards have fallen by £0.122m (-78.1%) to £0.034m. Primary schools’ carry forwards have fallen by £2.710m (-23.4%) to £8.837m. Secondary schools’ carry forwards have fallen by £0.549m (-148.1%) to -£0.178m. Special schools’ carry forwards have increased by £0.455m (235.9%) to £0.262m.
Carry Forwards as a % of Budget Share
On average:
Nursery schools carried forward: 1.68% (2015/16 7.04%). Primary schools carried forward: 5.90% (2015/16 7.81%). Secondary schools carried forward: -0.97% (2015/16 1.81%). Special schools carried forward: 1.39% (2015/16 -0.21%).
Page 47 For all sectors, the average carry forward was 4.74% (2015/16 6.30%). Clearly, the average percentage carry forward for each sector is below the limits set out in the LA's school carry forward policy. The policy was introduced on 1st April 2004 and allows primary and special schools to carry forward for any purpose, up to 8% of their budget share, or £30k (whichever is greater). Nursery and secondary schools can carry forward 10% and 5% of their budget shares respectively. The policy states that additional sums can only be carried forward if they are earmarked for specific, costed, time limited, capital projects that are consistent with the priorities set out in the school's Asset Management Plan. Schools that exceed the carry forward policy are requested to return a completed pro-forma which details how the additional sums will be spent.
School Deficits
At the end of 2016/17 the number of schools with a budget share deficit was 49 (22.4%) representing an increase of 28 on the previous year. The number of schools with budget share overspends comprises:
2 (40.0%) nursery school (2015/16 – 1 school) 41 (20.4%) primary schools (2015/16 – 17 schools) 4 (80.0%) secondary schools (2015/16 – 0 schools) 2 (25.0%) special schools (2015/16 – 3 schools)
The LA implemented a new financial system on 1st April 2015 which has resulted in a second challenging year for schools with the coding of their payroll costs between grants and budget share. An exercise was completed to correct the payroll coding but a number of schools did not complete this exercise. Therefore to have a more accurate financial position of schools finances it is sensible to consider the schools financial position net of budget share and grants – number of schools with an overall deficit is 25 (11%). This position is more comparable with school overspends recorded in 2015/16. The number of schools with net overspends comprises:
2 (40.0%) nursery school (2015/16 – 1 school) 19 (9.5%) primary schools (2015/16 – 6 schools) 3 (60.0%) secondary schools (2015/16 – 0 schools) 1 (12.5%) special schools (2015/16 – 3 schools)
The number of schools with net overspends has increased on previous years and the LA recognises that the Dedicated Schools Grant has been cash flat for a number of years which has contributed to the financial pressures that schools are facing. The LA however believes the overspends can also be attributed to a lack of regular budget monitoring, inaccurate forecasting and the incorrect setting of school expenditure budgets. The LA has recognised that overspends have increased and have plans in place to deliver extensive training for all maintained schools.
Through the Monitoring and Intervention Policy the LA is working with those schools that have a deficit to ensure that appropriate systems are in place to effectively manage budgets, and that the deficits will be recovered in a relatively short period of time. Schools with a significant overspend are invited to attend a meeting with LA Officers to discuss their financial position. The LA will undertake monitoring of those schools, which include reviewing forecasts and updated Medium Term Finance Plans. The LA's Schools Finance Team will also continue to remind schools of the importance of effective budget management and forecasting of all elements of school funding.
Page 48 The LA’s Perspective
The LA believes, as a point of principle, that the funding made available to schools each year should be spent on the pupils in school in that year. However, it is also important for schools to retain a reasonable level of reserves, to help smooth out modest fluctuations in income and expenditure from year to year, and thereby help ensure better use of resources by avoiding redundancies wherever possible. The financial climate has been difficult in recent times but the impact of the National Funding Formula should have a positive impact on schools budgets. The LA expects school governing bodies and leadership teams to act prudently and achieve and maintain strong financial management standards. The LA does not expect schools to carry forward an excessive level of reserves. The Schools Finance Team will therefore continue to monitor the financial position of all maintained schools through the Monitoring and Intervention Policy. The Schools Finance Team are committed to delivering a comprehensive financial training programme for Bursars / Headteachers and Governors to strengthen the financial management skillset within schools. The Team will continue to provide advice and guidance to schools.
Consultation a) Have Risks and Impact Analysis been carried out?? No b) Risks and Impact Analysis
N/A
Appendices
These are listed below and attached at the back of the report Appendix A List of school carry forwards at 31st March 2017.
Background Papers
Document title Where the document can be viewed
Page 49 None
This report was written by Elizabeth Bowes, who can be contacted on 01522 554905 or [email protected].
Page 50 School Carry Forwards 2016/17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Agresso School Name NoR 2016/17 Carry Forward 2015/16 Code Oct 2016 Total No Schools Spend Budget C/F % v 2015/16 Change PLASC £ £ £ Budget £ £ Primary Schools S20000 Alford Primary School 361 1,616,884 1,874,074 257,190 13.72% 220,298 36,892 S20100 Allington with Sedgebrook Church of England Primary School 113 489,457 490,700 1,243 0.25% 12,168 (10,925) S20300 Ancaster Church of England Primary School 165 690,805 762,305 71,500 9.38% 73,437 (1,937) S20400 Bardney Church of England & Methodist Primary School 163 774,178 835,117 60,939 7.30% 91,394 (30,456) S20500 Barkston & Syston Church of England Primary School 109 511,403 508,003 (3,400.) -0.67% 36,568 (39,968) S20600 Barrowby Church of England Primary School 252 991,999 1,025,709 33,709 3.29% 74,254 (40,544) S20700 Bassingham Primary School 212 792,177 829,330 37,153 4.48% 8,615 28,538 S20800 Baston Church of England Primary School 195 721,533 786,441 64,908 8.25% 65,162 (255) S20900 Billingborough Primary School 121 644,343 654,171 9,828 1.50% 60,789 (50,961) S21000 Billinghay Church of England Primary School 148 698,676 702,027 3,351 0.48% 66,919 (63,568) S21100 Binbrook Church of England Primary School 74 523,074 526,023 2,949 0.56% (8,026.) 10,975 S21200 Blyton Cum Laughton CE Primary School 138 727,120 747,992 20,872 2.79% 105,274 (84,402) Page 51 Page S21300 Boston Hawthorn Tree School 381 1,560,676 1,618,442 57,765 3.57% 45,464 12,301 S21400 Boston Saint Mary's R.C. Primary School 207 857,200 1,057,311 200,111 18.93% 166,680 33,431 S21500 Boston St Nicholas Church of England Primary School 224 1,286,875 1,410,285 123,410 8.75% 140,710 (17,300) S21600 Boston Saint Thomas' Church of England Primary School 402 1,492,575 1,890,845 398,270 21.06% 303,069 95,201 S21700 Branston CE Infants 89 536,413 587,721 51,307 8.73% 89,463 (38,156) S21800 Brant Broughton Church of England and Methodist 97 393,098 425,316 32,218 7.57% 26,932 5,285 S22000 Bucknall Rural Villages School 43 311,513 366,223 54,710 14.94% 13,875 40,835 S22100 Burgh-le-Marsh St Peter and St Paul Church of England 235 940,988 1,053,663 112,675 10.69% 105,561 7,114 S22200 Bythams Primary School 94 464,286 478,616 14,330 2.99% 61,098 (46,768) S22300 Butterwick Pinchbeck's Endowed Church of England 310 1,341,538 1,350,100 8,561 0.63% 105,313 (96,752) S22400 Caistor Church of England & Methodist Primary School 295 1,195,888 1,318,408 122,520 9.29% 130,971 (8,451) S22500 Caythorpe Primary School 124 682,582 712,663 30,081 4.22% 86,808 (56,727) S22600 Chapel St Leonards Primary School 194 1,034,472 1,076,111 41,639 3.87% 57,771 (16,133) S22700 Cherry Willingham Primary School 274 1,155,040 1,230,565 75,525 6.14% 136,387 (60,863) S22800 Claypole Church of England Primary School 173 672,567 680,331 7,763 1.14% 34,891 (27,128) S22900 Coleby Church of England Primary School 79 393,556 456,032 62,476 13.70% 67,375 (4,899) S23000 Colsterworth Church of England Primary School 153 646,607 646,646 38 0.01% 15,847 (15,808) S23100 Coningsby St Michael's Church of England Primary School 322 1,338,021 1,408,493 70,472 5.00% 157,109 (86,637) S23200 Corby Glen Community Primary School 117 517,104 549,051 31,947 5.82% 65,457 (33,510) S23300 Corringham Church of England (VC) 106 474,914 524,340 49,426 9.43% 24,191 25,235 S23400 Cowbit St Mary's (Endowed) Church of England Primary Sch 72 388,458 397,424 8,966 2.26% 30,881 (21,915) S23500 Cranwell Primary School 321 1,270,154 1,434,652 164,498 11.47% 160,912 3,586 S23600 Crowland South View Community Primary School 394 1,421,180 1,600,147 178,967 11.18% 133,742 45,226 S23700 Deeping St James Community Primary School 213 833,017 867,213 34,195 3.94% 76,219 (42,024) S23800 Deeping St James Linchfield Community Primary School 428 1,467,153 1,395,238 (71,915.) -5.15% (65,107) (6,808) S23900 Deeping St Nicholas Primary School 64 357,677 413,334 55,656 13.47% 69,895 (14,239) S24000 Denton Church of England School 71 354,041 397,724 43,682 10.98% 40,532 3,151 S24100 Digby Church of England School 70 460,103 610,542 150,439 24.64% 134,339 16,100 S24200 Digby The Tedder Primary School 99 416,910 456,626 39,716 8.70% 56,324 (16,608) School Carry Forwards 2016/17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Agresso School Name NoR 2016/17 Carry Forward 2015/16 Code Oct 2016 Total No Schools Spend Budget C/F % v 2015/16 Change PLASC £ £ £ Budget £ £ S24300 Donington Cowley Endowed Primary School 258 1,077,975 1,205,321 127,345 10.57% 191,676 (64,331) S24400 Donington-on-Bain School 83 384,559 404,796 20,237 5.00% 6,550 13,687 S24500 Dunholme St Chad's Church of England Primary School 212 839,086 812,625 (26,461.) -3.26% 24,253 (50,715) S24600 Dunston St Peter's Church of England Primary School 93 454,791 457,585 2,793 0.61% 17,897 (15,104) S24700 Eagle Community Primary School 70 385,154 477,896 92,742 19.41% 95,855 (3,114) S24900 Faldingworth Community Primary School 56 364,675 396,751 32,076 8.08% 51,960 (19,884) S25000 Fiskerton Church of England Primary School 101 551,716 597,314 45,598 7.63% 81,679 (36,081) S25100 Fleet Wood Lane School 160 801,230 826,295 25,065 3.03% 98,506 (73,441) S25200 Friskney All Saints Church of England (Aided) Primary 152 766,769 770,479 3,709 0.48% 14,879 (11,170) S25300 Frithville Primary School 54 366,149 371,465 5,316 1.43% 15,596 (10,280) S25400 Fulstow Primary School 27 287,787 279,961 (7,826.) -2.80% 11,863 (19,689) S25500 Gainsborough Charles Baines Community Primary School 210 1,090,470 1,300,687 210,216 16.16% 186,645 23,571 Page 52 Page S25600 Gainsborough St George's Church of England Community 192 1,163,247 1,144,093 (19,155.) -1.67% 53,289 (72,443) S25700 Gedney Church End Primary School 53 470,515 411,796 (58,719.) -14.26% 46,968 (105,687) S25800 Gedney Drove End School 53 307,969 370,169 62,200 16.80% 49,836 12,364 S25900 Gedney Hill Church of England (Controlled) Primary School 52 305,735 304,045 (1,691.) -0.56% 43,680 (45,371) S26000 Gosberton Clough and Risegate Community Primary School 80 436,292 542,290 105,998 19.55% 96,324 9,675 S26100 Grainthorpe School 30 239,266 372,853 133,587 35.83% 62,061 71,526 S26200 Grantham Belmont Community Primary School 203 966,100 1,053,399 87,299 8.29% 113,569 (26,270) S26300 Grantham Belton Lane Community Primary School 250 1,015,270 1,347,715 332,445 24.67% 263,024 69,421 S26400 Grantham Cliffedale Primary School 313 1,144,640 1,362,506 217,866 15.99% 237,743 (19,878) S26500 Grantham Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England Primary 333 1,182,182 1,399,820 217,637 15.55% 199,317 18,320 S26600 Grantham St Anne's Church of England Primary School 210 1,027,006 1,053,681 26,675 2.53% 172,409 (145,734) S26700 Grantham Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School 214 851,769 974,516 122,746 12.60% 123,720 (974) S26900 Grasby All Saints Church of England Primary School 79 418,942 425,472 6,530 1.53% 24,763 (18,233) S27000 Great Gonerby St Sebastian's Church of England Primary 125 576,455 633,053 56,598 8.94% 53,577 3,020 S27100 Great Ponton Church of England School 71 371,574 420,135 48,561 11.56% 44,413 4,148 S27200 Great Steeping Primary School 108 513,620 541,849 28,228 5.21% 53,176 (24,948) S27300 Grimoldby Primary School 206 894,286 921,569 27,283 2.96% 61,181 (33,898) S27400 Hackthorn Church of England Primary School 61 325,870 368,908 43,038 11.67% 60,365 (17,327) S27500 Halton Holegate Church of England Primary School 60 358,920 404,685 45,765 11.31% 39,043 6,723 S27600 Harlaxton Church of England Primary School 208 840,424 938,368 97,944 10.44% 108,785 (10,842) S27700 Heckington St Andrew's Church of England Primary School 185 704,274 799,617 95,343 11.92% 50,168 45,175 S27800 Helpringham School 95 604,837 643,597 38,760 6.02% 58,368 (19,608) S27900 Hemswell Cliff Primary School 80 496,803 569,636 72,833 12.79% 65,588 7,245 S28000 Holbeach Bank Primary School 60 378,764 387,354 8,590 2.22% 47,478 (38,887) S28200 Holbeach St Mark's Church of England Primary School 48 332,075 454,432 122,357 26.93% 96,691 25,666 S28300 Holbeach William Stukeley Church of England Primary School 277 1,265,627 1,441,038 175,411 12.17% 271,984 (96,573) S28400 Holton-le-Clay Junior School 144 603,750 658,425 54,675 8.30% 73,788 (19,113) S28500 Holton-le-Clay Infants' School 101 505,130 594,954 89,824 15.10% 106,632 (16,808) S28700 Horncastle Community Primary School 537 2,056,448 2,276,897 220,449 9.68% 177,018 43,431 S28800 Ingham Primary School 108 506,189 563,919 57,729 10.24% 42,256 15,473 School Carry Forwards 2016/17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Agresso School Name NoR 2016/17 Carry Forward 2015/16 Code Oct 2016 Total No Schools Spend Budget C/F % v 2015/16 Change PLASC £ £ £ Budget £ £ S29100 Kelsey Primary School 107 508,282 530,832 22,550 4.25% (7,121) 29,671 S29200 Kirkby-on-Bain Church of England Primary School 90 501,893 537,631 35,737 6.65% 58,123 (22,386) S29300 Kirton Primary School 473 2,095,458 2,515,011 419,553 16.68% 390,951 28,602 S29400 Langtoft Primary School 211 791,831 846,912 55,080 6.50% 71,366 (16,286) S29500 Leadenham Church of England Primary School 35 303,669 338,107 34,437 10.19% 53,736 (19,299) S29600 Lea Frances Olive Anderson Church of England Primary 180 852,824 941,137 88,313 9.38% 144,669 (56,356) S29700 Leasingham St Andrew's Church of England Primary School 203 700,210 703,026 2,816 0.40% 17,782 (14,966) S29800 Legbourne East Wold Church of England Primary School 120 488,042 574,729 86,686 15.08% 62,278 24,409 S29900 Legsby Primary School 30 245,585 268,266 22,681 8.45% 34,893 (12,213) S30000 Lincoln Birchwood Junior School 290 1,329,260 1,515,502 186,242 12.29% 249,401 (63,159) S30100 Lincoln Bishop King Church of England Primary School 361 1,945,464 1,850,196 (95,268.) -5.15% 34,512 (129,780) S30300 Lincoln Leslie Manser Primary School 276 1,270,105 1,321,431 51,326 3.88% 147,376 (96,050) S30400 Lincoln Monks Abbey Primary School 411 1,984,886 2,128,195 143,308 6.73% 174,903 (31,595) Page 53 Page S30500 Lincoln St Faith & St Martin Church of England Junior School 227 1,009,270 1,099,399 90,129 8.20% 140,259 (50,130) S30600 Lincoln St Faith's Church of England Infant School 207 1,049,004 1,099,111 50,106 4.56% 63,594 (13,488) S30700 Lincoln St Peter at Gowts Church of England Primary School 212 1,098,153 1,204,934 106,781 8.86% 118,839 (12,057) S30800 Lincoln St Peter in Eastgate Church of England (controlled) 89 443,858 537,285 93,427 17.39% 69,930 23,496 S30900 Lincoln The Lancaster School 145 748,813 826,865 78,051 9.44% 42,832 35,219 S31000 Lincoln The Meadows 375 1,569,619 1,962,739 393,120 20.03% 318,765 74,355 S31100 Lincoln The Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School 418 1,896,942 2,106,694 209,751 9.96% 320,319 (110,568) S31200 Lincoln Woodlands Infant School 131 875,666 949,329 73,663 7.76% 137,098 (63,435) S31300 Long Sutton Primary School 387 1,502,599 1,571,364 68,765 4.38% 77,807 (9,042) S31400 Louth Eastfield Infants' & Nursery School 266 1,594,192 1,764,117 169,925 9.63% 173,762 (3,837) S31500 Louth Lacey Gardens Junior School 314 1,477,487 1,676,970 199,483 11.90% 240,557 (41,074) S31600 Louth St Michael's Church of England School 284 1,186,078 1,164,329 (21,749.) -1.87% 14,764 (36,513) S31700 Lutton St Nicholas Primary School 105 330,636 506,596 175,960 34.73% 84,029 91,930 S31800 Mareham-Le-Fen Church of England Primary School 73 446,001 508,310 62,309 12.26% 42,895 19,413 S31900 Market Deeping Community Primary School 232 913,654 943,155 29,500 3.13% 42,283 (12,783) S32000 Market Deeping William Hildyard C of E Primary School 212 945,962 1,016,076 70,113 6.90% 112,499 (42,385) S32100 Market Rasen Church of England Primary School 308 1,283,219 1,364,779 81,560 5.98% 74,907 6,652 S32200 Marshchapel Primary School 60 398,884 485,834 86,950 17.90% 52,535 34,415 S32300 Marston Thorold's Charity Church of England School 85 408,181 411,693 3,512 0.85% 17,017 (13,505) S32400 Martin Mrs Mary King's Church of England (controlled) 92 411,369 459,324 47,955 10.44% 41,428 6,527 S32500 Marton Primary 86 498,172 539,499 41,327 7.66% 38,579 2,748 S32600 Metheringham Primary School 256 992,693 1,111,433 118,740 10.68% 81,531 37,210 S32700 Middle Rasen Primary School 93 473,219 539,939 66,719 12.36% 74,174 (7,455) S32800 Morton Trentside Primary School 204 969,939 987,540 17,601 1.78% 43,531 (25,930) S33000 Moulton Chapel Primary School 171 372,330 422,091 49,761 11.79% 51,881 (2,121) S33100 Moulton The John Harrox Primary School 62 990,894 1,082,417 91,523 8.46% 101,573 (10,050) S33200 Navenby Primary 273 795,427 858,914 63,487 7.39% 80,934 (17,447) S33300 Nettleham Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School 198 935,516 929,905 (5,611.) -0.60% 34,779 (40,390) S33400 Nettleton Community Primary School 239 374,173 428,875 54,702 12.75% 55,554 (853) School Carry Forwards 2016/17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Agresso School Name NoR 2016/17 Carry Forward 2015/16 Code Oct 2016 Total No Schools Spend Budget C/F % v 2015/16 Change PLASC £ £ £ Budget £ £ S33500 New Leake Primary School 67 368,824 453,462 84,637 18.66% 79,534 5,104 S33600 New York Primary School 46 350,883 368,270 17,387 4.72% 44,574 (27,188) S33700 Newton-on-Trent Church of England Primary School 39 355,037 395,651 40,613 10.26% 78,339 (37,726) S33800 Nocton Community School 47 324,642 420,836 96,194 22.86% 85,240 10,954 S33900 Normanby-by-Spital Primary School 57 358,251 355,351 (2,900.) -0.82% 10,648 (13,548) S34000 North Cockerington Church of England Primary School 60 402,663 436,196 33,534 7.69% 41,100 (7,566) S34100 North Cotes Church of England Primary School 90 439,662 327,132 (112,530.) -34.40% (23,198) (89,332) S34200 North Hykeham All Saints Church of England Primary School 56 937,961 1,066,499 128,538 12.05% 154,238 (25,700) S34300 North Scarle Primary School 209 348,239 339,132 (9,108.) -2.69% 4,011 (13,118) S34400 North Somercotes Church of England Primary School 56 742,221 760,186 17,965 2.36% 37,887 (19,922) S34500 Old Leake Primary and Nursery School 192 951,837 1,014,349 62,512 6.16% 95,527 (33,015) S34600 Osbournby Primary School 194 487,656 483,946 (3,710.) -0.77% 28,817 (32,527) Page 54 Page S34700 Osgodby Primary School 91 444,537 495,333 50,796 10.25% 22,188 28,608 S34800 Partney Church of England Primary School 94 393,940 395,600 1,660 0.42% 11,084 (9,425) S34900 Pinchbeck East Church of England Primary School 77 1,412,263 1,589,010 176,747 11.12% 212,071 (35,324) S35000 Pinchbeck West Church of England Primary School 356 528,635 553,359 24,724 4.47% 58,487 (33,763) S35100 Pointon St Gilbert of Sempringham Church of England 101 476,370 372,613 (103,757.) -27.85% (71,119) (32,638) S35200 Potterhanworth Church of England Primary School 83 514,267 520,409 6,142 1.18% 21,786 (15,644) S35300 Quadring Cowley and Brown's Primary School 101 513,855 538,707 24,852 4.61% 29,853 (5,001) S35400 Reepham Church of England Primary School 98 734,140 811,816 77,676 9.57% 109,022 (31,346) S35500 Ropsley Church of England Primary School 188 484,548 576,053 91,505 15.88% 98,191 (6,686) S35600 Ruskington Winchelsea Primary School 108 765,833 987,756 221,923 22.47% 174,124 47,799 S35800 Saxilby Church of England Primary School 301 1,118,213 1,257,840 139,627 11.10% 175,071 (35,443) S35900 Scamblesby Church of England Primary School 69 370,509 429,095 58,586 13.65% 94,536 (35,950) S36000 Scampton Church of England Primary School 82 499,644 513,799 14,154 2.75% 30,216 (16,062) S36100 Scampton Pollyplatt Primary School 148 705,736 736,023 30,287 4.11% 65,496 (35,209) S36200 Scotter Primary School 240 998,002 1,064,697 66,695 6.26% 133,343 (66,648) S36300 Shepeau Stow Primary School 76 414,815 438,006 23,191 5.29% 51,720 (28,529) S36400 Sibsey Free Primary School 167 702,894 787,844 84,950 10.78% 63,836 21,115 S36500 Skegness Seathorne Primary School 337 1,689,276 1,798,277 109,001 6.06% 120,210 (11,209) S36600 Skegness The Richmond School 441 1,904,096 2,069,178 165,082 7.98% 273,565 (108,483) S36700 Skellingthorpe The Holt Primary School 199 797,791 882,082 84,291 9.56% 99,375 (15,084) S36800 Skellingthorpe St Lawrence Church of England Primary School 173 776,664 825,838 49,174 5.95% 61,438 (12,265) S36900 Sleaford Church Lane Primary School and Nursery 182 1,033,393 1,061,816 28,423 2.68% (5,414) 33,836 S37000 Sleaford St Botolph's Church of England School Quarrington 395 1,575,203 1,582,545 7,342 0.46% 35,256 (27,914) S37100 South Hykeham School 143 637,586 667,834 30,248 4.53% 59,350 (29,101) S37300 Spalding Monkshouse Primary School 355 1,530,768 1,795,658 264,890 14.75% 237,931 26,959 S37400 Spalding Parish Church of England Day School 501 1,917,256 2,083,749 166,493 7.99% 132,545 33,948 S37500 Spalding Primary School 471 1,800,614 1,988,143 187,529 9.43% 191,118 (3,589) S37600 Spalding St John the Baptist Church of England Primary School 431 1,603,312 1,687,744 84,432 5.00% 97,929 (13,497) S37700 Spalding Saint Norbert's Catholic Primary School 205 865,682 936,014 70,332 7.51% 100,814 (30,482) S37800 Spalding St Paul's Community Primary and Nursery School 209 1,239,644 1,407,820 168,176 11.95% 236,035 (67,859) School Carry Forwards 2016/17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Agresso School Name NoR 2016/17 Carry Forward 2015/16 Code Oct 2016 Total No Schools Spend Budget C/F % v 2015/16 Change PLASC £ £ £ Budget £ £ S38000 Stamford Saint George's Church of England Primary School 195 816,976 862,969 45,993 5.33% 92,521 (46,529) S38100 Stamford The Bluecoat School 165 1,002,445 1,051,669 49,224 4.68% 122,953 (73,729) S38200 Stickney Church of England Primary School 172 798,877 852,185 53,308 6.26% 48,334 4,974 S38300 Sturton by Stow Primary School 159 696,411 687,127 (9,284.) -1.35% 13,008 (22,292) S38400 Surfleet Primary School 91 451,028 491,439 40,411 8.22% 50,942 (10,531) S38500 Sutton Bridge Westmere Community Primary School 259 1,140,490 1,208,987 68,497 5.67% 92,444 (23,947) S38600 Sutton St James Community Primary School 96 503,451 575,824 72,373 12.57% 23,013 49,360 S38700 Sutterton Fourfields Church of England School 141 660,523 681,101 20,578 3.02% 77,452 (56,874) S38800 Sutton-on-Sea Community Primary School 178 865,200 971,328 106,127 10.93% 105,841 286 S38900 Swinderby All Saints Church of England Primary School 94 455,237 500,019 44,782 8.96% 58,509 (13,727) S39000 Swineshead St Mary's Church of England Primary School 258 1,237,161 1,146,036 (91,125.) -7.95% 48,965 (140,091) S39100 Tattershall Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School 128 637,638 715,418 77,780 10.87% 102,815 (25,036) S39200 Tattershall Clinton Park Community Primary School 140 690,666 761,294 70,628 9.28% 28,319 42,309 Page 55 Page S39300 Tealby School 95 452,430 447,914 (4,516.) -1.01% 28,319 (32,835) S39400 Tetford The Edward Richardson Primary School 109 521,484 555,805 34,321 6.18% 67,504 (33,183) S39500 Tetney Primary School 85 535,386 549,140 13,754 2.50% 41,543 (27,789) S39700 Thorpe-on-the-Hill St Michael's Church of England Primary Sch 166 718,674 722,299 3,624 0.50% 56,776 (53,152) S39800 Thurlby Community Primary School 201 836,749 821,056 (15,693.) -1.91% 36,539 (52,233) S39900 Toynton All Saints Primary School 102 449,422 508,666 59,243 11.65% 42,277 16,966 S40000 Tydd St Mary Church of England Primary School 102 470,145 561,932 91,786 16.33% 93,753 (1,967) S40100 Uffington Church of England Primary School 96 444,803 501,480 56,677 11.30% 55,205 1,471 S40200 Waddingham Primary School 80 432,400 450,627 18,226 4.04% 59,216 (40,990) S40300 Waddington All Saints Primary School 383 1,291,929 1,545,956 254,027 16.43% 182,562 71,464 S40400 Waddington Redwood Primary School 277 1,079,262 1,220,397 141,135 11.56% 147,305 (6,170) S40500 Walcott Primary School 75 393,745 454,153 60,408 13.30% 21,828 38,580 S40600 Welbourn CE Primary 88 486,275 541,744 55,469 10.24% 89,360 (33,891) S40700 Weston Hills CE Primary 146 638,499 707,808 69,309 9.79% 72,989 (3,681) S40900 Whaplode Church of England Primary School 203 800,826 898,231 97,405 10.84% 99,513 (2,108) S41000 Willoughby St Helena's Church of England Primary School 119 617,227 667,872 50,645 7.58% 59,679 (9,034) S41100 Willoughton Primary School 57 359,685 406,319 46,634 11.48% 84,519 (37,885) S41200 Withern St Margaret's Church of England School 71 411,872 438,322 26,450 6.03% 16,655 9,795 S41300 Wragby Primary School 182 877,790 935,269 57,479 6.15% 68,422 (10,943) S41400 Wrangle Primary School 58 439,234 521,688 82,454 15.81% 102,840 (20,387) S41500 Wyberton Primary School 201 834,536 1,026,403 191,867 18.69% 140,351 51,516 Total Primary Schools 34,812 158,255,891 172,332,510 14,076,620 8.17% 17,144,701 (3,068,081) 201
Secondary Schools S50000 Cherry Willingham Community Secondary 192 2,078,812 1,884,404 (194,408.) -10.32% 107,788 (302,196) S50100 Gainsborough Queen Elizabeth´s High 909 5,483,296 5,537,468 54,172 0.98% 168,499 (114,327) S50400 Long Sutton The Peele Community College 606 3,591,553 3,555,136 (36,417.) -1.02% 24,047 (60,464) S50600 Louth Monks´ Dyke Technology College 389 3,824,030 4,177,715 353,685 8.47% 264,861 88,824 School Carry Forwards 2016/17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Agresso School Name NoR 2016/17 Carry Forward 2015/16 Code Oct 2016 Total No Schools Spend Budget C/F % v 2015/16 Change PLASC £ £ £ Budget £ £ S50800 Spalding High 732 4,377,587 4,337,398 (40,189.) -0.93% 147,443 (187,632) Total Secondary Schools 2,828 19,355,278 19,492,121 136,844 0.70% 712,639 (575,795) 5
Special Schools S60100 Boston Pilgrim Hospital School 16 1,383,713 1,539,233 155,520 10.10% (21,638) 177,159 S60200 Bourne The Willoughby School 75 1,452,220 1,557,387 105,167 6.75% 73,386 31,782 S60900 Lincoln St Christopher's School 271 3,719,018 3,682,933 (36,085.) -0.98% (285,160) 249,076 S61000 Lincoln St Francis Special School 148 3,374,517 3,393,914 19,397 0.57% 124,887 (105,489) S61100 Lincoln The Fortuna Primary School 69 1,647,022 1,800,045 153,023 8.50% 174,780 (21,757) S61200 Lincoln The Sincil School 60 1,598,174 1,814,182 216,008 11.91% 291,963 (75,955) S61400 South Rauceby The Ash Villa School 13 299,603 334,765 35,162 10.50% 42,774 (7,612) Page 56 Page S61800 Teaching & Learning Centre 5,661,768 5,666,938 5,170 0.09% (344,750) 349,920 Total Special Schools 652 19,136,033 19,789,397 653,363 3.30% 56,241 597,122 8
Nursery Schools S10000 Boston Nursery School 54 285,308 369,385 84,077 22.76% 41,045 43,032 S11000 Gainsborough Nursery School 56 447,788 410,796 (36,992.) -9.00% 24,623 (61,614) S12000 Grantham Wyndham Park Nursery School 87 413,715 453,976 40,261 8.87% 39,747 514 S13000 Lincoln Kingsdown Nursery School 46 401,683 339,234 (62,449.) -18.41% (22,341) (40,108) S14000 Lincoln Saint Giles Nursery 65 448,607 499,673 51,066 10.22% 69,442 (18,376) Total Nursery Schools 308 1,997,101 2,073,064 75,963 3.66% 152,516 (76,552.) 5
Nursery, Primary, Secondary & Special 38,600 198,744,302 213,687,092 14,942,790 6.99% 18,066,096.9 (3,123,307) 219 School Deficits 2016/17
1 2 3 10 11 12 13 14 15 Agresso School Name NoR 2016/17 Carry Forward 2015/16 Code Oct 2016 Total No Schools Spend Budget C/F % v 2015/16 Change PLASC £ £ £ Budget £ £ Primary Schools S20500 Barkston & Syston Church of England Primary School 109 511,403 508,003 (3,400.) -0.67% 36,568 (39,968) S23800 Deeping St James Linchfield Community Primary School 428 1,467,153 1,395,238 (71,915.) -5.15% (65,107) (6,808) S24500 Dunholme St Chad's Church of England Primary School 212 839,086 812,625 (26,461.) -3.26% 24,253 (50,715) S25400 Fulstow Primary School 27 287,787 279,961 (7,826.) -2.80% 11,863 (19,689) S25600 Gainsborough St George's Church of England Community 192 1,163,247 1,144,093 (19,155.) -1.67% 53,289 (72,443) S25700 Gedney Church End Primary School 53 470,515 411,796 (58,719.) -14.26% 46,968 (105,687) S25900 Gedney Hill Church of England (Controlled) Primary School 52 305,735 304,045 (1,691.) -0.56% 43,680 (45,371) S30100 Lincoln Bishop King Church of England Primary School 361 1,945,464 1,850,196 (95,268.) -5.15% 34,512 (129,780) S31600 Louth St Michael's Church of England School 284 1,186,078 1,164,329 (21,749.) -1.87% 14,764 (36,513) S33300 Nettleham Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School 198 935,516 929,905 (5,611.) -0.60% 34,779 (40,390) S33900 Normanby-by-Spital Primary School 57 358,251 355,351 (2,900.) -0.82% 10,648 (13,548) S34100 North Cotes Church of England Primary School 90 439,662 327,132 (112,530.) -34.40% (23,198) (89,332) Page 57 Page S34300 North Scarle Primary School 209 348,239 339,132 (9,108.) -2.69% 4,011 (13,118) S34600 Osbournby Primary School 194 487,656 483,946 (3,710.) -0.77% 28,817 (32,527) S35100 Pointon St Gilbert of Sempringham Church of England 101 476,370 372,613 (103,757.) -27.85% (71,119) (32,638) S38300 Sturton by Stow Primary School 159 696,411 687,127 (9,284.) -1.35% 13,008 (22,292) S39000 Swineshead St Mary's Church of England Primary School 258 1,237,161 1,146,036 (91,125.) -7.95% 48,965 (140,091) S39300 Tealby School 95 452,430 447,914 (4,516.) -1.01% 28,319 (32,835) S39800 Thurlby Community Primary School 201 836,749 821,056 (15,693.) -1.91% 36,539 (52,233) Total Primary Schools 3,280 14,444,913 13,780,493 (664,420) -4.82% 311,559 (975,979) 19
Secondary Schools S50000 Cherry Willingham Community Secondary 192 2,078,812 1,884,404 (194,408.) -10.32% 107,788 (302,196) S50400 Long Sutton The Peele Community College 606 3,591,553 3,555,136 (36,417.) -1.02% 24,047 (60,464) S50800 Spalding High 732 4,377,587 4,337,398 (40,189.) -0.93% 147,443 (187,632) Total Secondary Schools 1,530 10,047,952 9,776,938 (271,014) -2.77% 279,279 (550,292) 3
Special Schools S60900 Lincoln St Christopher's School 271 3,719,018 3,682,933 (36,085.) -0.98% (285,160) 249,076 Total Special Schools 271 3,719,018 3,682,933 (36,085) -0.98% (285,160) 249,076 1
Nursery Schools S11000 Gainsborough Nursery School 56 447,788 410,796 (36,992.) -9.00% 24,623 (61,614) S13000 Lincoln Kingsdown Nursery School 46 401,683 339,234 (62,449.) -18.41% (22,341) (40,108) Total Nursery Schools 102 849,471 750,030 (99,441) -13.26% 2,281 (101,722) 2
Nursery, Primary, Secondary & Special 5,183 29,061,353 27,990,394 (1,070,959) -3.83% 307,958 (1,378,918) 25 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 10
Regulatory and Other Committee
Open Report on behalf of Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services
Report to: Schools Forum Date: 04 October 2017 Subject: Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) KeyDecision decision? Reference: No Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
Recommendation(s): The Schools Forum is asked to note the content of the report.
Background
Introduction
As reported in previous years, the Department for Education (DfE) launched the SFVS after the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSIS) was withdrawn by the Secretary of State in November 2010. The SFVS is mandatory for maintained schools and is intended to assist schools in managing their finances and to give assurance that they have secure financial management in place. Governing bodies have formal responsibility for the financial management of their schools, and the standard is primarily aimed at governors. There are 25 questions that governors should formally discuss with school staff and a declaration signed by the Chair of Governors must be sent to the Local Authority (LA) each year. The SFVS is not externally assessed. Academies and Free Schools are not required to complete the SFVS because it would duplicate their financial monitoring and assurance requirements through the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Maintained nursery schools and Pupil Referral Units are required to complete it. LAs are expected to audit a school or issue a notice of concern when the SFVS is not completed. The ultimate sanction that remains is for the LA to withdraw delegation of funding to a school.
Access to the DfE's information on the SFVS is available via this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schools-financial-value-standard-and-assurance-sfvs
The 2016/17 position
Maintained schools are required to complete the SFVS by 31st March each year.
Page 59 The position for 2016/17 was set out in a statement sent by the LA to the DfE on 30th May 2017. It stated that:
5 maintained secondary schools 198 maintained primary schools 7 maintained special schools 5 maintained nursery schools 0 Pupil Referral Unit had submitted their completed SFVS return to the LA by 31st March 2017.
9 schools did not submit their return and were exempt on the grounds that they were in the process of converting to an academy and 1 school closed during the year.
Discounting these schools, the return showed only 3 primary schools across the maintained school sector that had failed to submit the completed return by the due date. The LA's Schools Finance Team contacted those schools to press for submission of their returns, and all the outstanding schools submitted their returns by 30th June 2017. The LA has recently reviewed its Monitoring and Intervention Policy. In future years, where a school is late in submitting its SFVS it will trigger the Monitoring and Intervention Policy.
As reported previously, the SFVS provides a lighter touch approach compared to FMSIS. It is not externally assessed; there is no prescription regarding the level of evidence that the governing body is required to provide. Governors are expected to work closely with their school to robustly go through the SFVS, to ensure that financial arrangements are adhered to and where weaknesses are identified that steps are taken to address these. The LA provides Financial Management training for governors to assist in their financial knowledge to enable them to make sound financial decisions.
The government expects LA's to use schools' SFVS returns to inform their programme of financial assessment and audit, and to check whether the self-assessment is in line with their own judgement when an audit is undertaken. The school's SFVS is only one of many measures that the LA uses to judge the effectiveness of a school's financial management. In addition to a high level review of submitted SFVS (officers are only able to check that a return was submitted on time and that the entries against each question appear reasonable), the LA will continue to review schools' budget returns and medium term finance plans at the start of each year; to perform high level monitoring of school finances throughout the year; work closely with schools that have overspent to help recover the position; provide advice and guidance to schools on a day-to-day basis, and; to deliver an extensive training programme for school staff and governors.
Academies
The SFVS does not apply to academies, although they are free to use it. Academies are required to comply with the Academies Handbook.
Conclusion Schools Forum is asked to note the content of the report.
Page 60 Consultation
a) Have Risks and Impact Analysis been carried out?? n/a
b) Risks and Impact Analysis
n/a
Appendices
These are listed below and attached at the back of the report
None
Background Papers
Document title Where the document can be viewed Schools Financial Value http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CI Standard (SFVS) d=166&MId=4576&Ver=4 Schools Financial Value https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schools-financial-value- Standard (SFVS) standard-and-assurance-sfvs
This report was written by Elizabeth Bowes, who can be contacted on 01522 554905 or [email protected].
Page 61 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 11
Regulatory and Other Committee
Open report on behalf of Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services
Report to: Schools Forum Date: 4th October 2017 Subject: Alternative Provision Arrangements
Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of Lincolnshire's current and future Alternative Provision arrangements.
Recommendation(s): The Schools Forum is asked to note the content of the report.
Background
1. Context and Background Information
Alternative provision is commonly defined as education outside school, arranged by local authorities or schools themselves. It can be something in which a young person participates as part of their regular timetable, away from the school site or the pupil referral unit (in Lincolnshire, Springwell Lincoln Academy) and not led by school staff. Schools are encouraged to use such provision to try to prevent exclusions, or to re-engage pupils in their education. Many secondary schools in Lincolnshire use AP in this way, dual registering pupils for behavioural intervention or to follow vocational pathways. Centres include Acorn Free School (Lincoln), Bridge House (Boston), First Steps (Boston), Build a Future (West Ashby), Good Apple (Gainsborough), Hill Holt (Norton Disney), and in N. Lincs, Fluent Coaching (Brigg).
The current Ofsted Handbook requires inspectors to "find out how (AP) is monitored and evaluated, both day to day and over time. An inspector should visit the unit briefly to assess safeguarding procedures, the quality of teaching and how effectively the unit helps to improve pupils' behaviour, learning and attendance. The visit should be proportionate to the number of pupils who attend and the length of time they spend there…..Inspectors should give priority to visiting unregistered providers."
Page 63 To support and guide those inclusive schools that commission AP to avoid exclusion and re-engage disaffected pupils, LCC has published 'Alternative Provision Guidance for Commissioners', downloadable from www.lincolnshirechildren.net within the Inclusive Lincolnshire microsite. In light of the Ofsted advice above, it is particularly important for schools (and LAs) to follow this guidance closely when commissioning unregistered providers.
An imperative for LCC is to ensure that a supply of high quality, local and affordable AP is always available for Lincolnshire schools so that pupils at risk can benefit from vocational opportunities and through them a positive post-16 pathway. Vocational learning is proven to have a key role in securing positive outcomes for vulnerable learners with research confirming that its benefits extend beyond the courses themselves; underachieving pupils also make accelerated progress in maths and English when re-engaged through work-related learning. (e.g. Dearden et al. 2003).
A 2013 policy briefing paper from the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) confirms the demise of 14-16 vocational learning in England and the negative impact of this on mainly disadvantaged learners. "The decision to remove entirely most of these (vocational) qualifications from the performance tables created a powerful incentive for schools to stop offering vocational courses, even where they have genuine value for young people." In the IPPR poll, 66% of Headteachers said they were reducing their vocational offer despite the fact that 77% felt that it was 'motivational for young people'. The government itself has advised that "there may be pupils for whom the most appropriate qualifications are those not included in the league tables." (DfE, 2012, Qualifications for 14-16 year olds and performance tables.)
It is reasonable to connect this narrowing of the curriculum with the rising trend of permanent exclusions from secondary schools and therefore to view the strengthening of vocational learning as a key element of an evidence-based inclusion strategy.
Page 64 Crucially, a recent change in DfE policy also supports such a strategy. Ofqual has now approved Level 1 and Level 2 'Technical Awards', for first teaching in September 2017. These will count in performance tables from 2019 and mean that schools will no longer be penalised for offering an inclusive KS4 curriculum. Headteachers are therefore much more likely to seek high quality vocational learning opportunities for those who may be dis-engaged by the narrowly academic. Such opportunities are generally sourced within alternative provision settings.
Maintaining and strengthening Lincolnshire's vocational sector will necessitate a degree of investment with a challenging financial context (school budgets) another factor currently undermining it. To this end, a tender process will begin in January 2018 with successful vocational providers (DfE registered only) benefitting from the stimulant of an LCC contract and schools for the first time in recent years having access to 'free' vocational learning places – part time or full time – when they can demonstrate that they have followed the Lincolnshire 'Ladder'. (See Referral to AP, below) Those schools that choose not to follow the Ladder to secure LCC commissioned places will be able to operate in the same way that they have in the past, purchasing places as required through service level agreements with their preferred providers.
This vocational learning offer is, then, designed to provide secondary Headteachers with a further positive alternative to exclusion. Like any responsive strategy, 'Inclusive Lincolnshire' continues to evolve as its efficacy is tested in the field. Whilst the number of permanent exclusions in Lincolnshire fell for the second consecutive year in 2016-17, the gains have been predominantly in the primary phase and we must acknowledge and respond to the fact that more work needs to be done to develop the secondary strategy.
Page 65 Referral to AP
For the academic years 2016/17 and 2017/18, LCC has commissioned 252 places for Springwell Lincoln Academy (of Wellspring Academy Trust) to provide education for all permanently excluded pupils or those referred through the Lincolnshire Ladder for either an intervention place (KS1-3) or an 'Alternative (KS4) Pathway' place. The distinction is important in that KS1-3 pupils are dual registered, they maintain contact with home school and ultimately return there after a period of intervention. KS4 learners, on the other hand, do not return to the mainstream and, from September 2017, will be single registered as Springwell pupils. (This is a change from last academic year, when they were dual registered. It reflects advice from LCC's legal team as well as the views of Headteachers).
In protecting the capacity of PRU places, the 'Ladder' is a crucial mechanism. A multi-agency panel meets fortnightly to review all referrals, KS1-4, and ensure that pupils have been screened for unmet learning needs, that they have benefitted from evidence-based intervention and reasonable adjustment and that the Behaviour Outreach Support Service (or equivalent for schools who use their own behaviour specialists) has been engaged and agrees that the referral for intervention place or KS4 Alternative Pathway is appropriate.
The process is robust. Schools must submit LCC's Signs of Safety modelled Pastoral Support Plan (PSP) and a BOSS report detailing precisely what has been done to promote a pupil's social and emotional learning. Panel reviews the referral, PSP and BOSS report. Comprising headteachers, Springwell SENDCos, BOSS and PRT officers, members need to see evidence that there has been a screen for unmet learning needs, that there are no hidden communication difficulties (often the cause of problematic behaviour); in short, that the school has done more than pursued a course of escalating sanctions and that the Ladder has been followed. A behaviour or sanction log is therefore insufficient as evidence, however colourful.
Page 66 During 2015/16, 61 referrals to panel were accepted and 31 declined. The number of declines decreased during the course of the year, reflecting a growth in awareness and constructive feedback from panel.
Clearly, a risk is that Headteachers make the decision to permanently exclude when a referral for AP is unsuccessful. Indeed, there are times when panel is advised that an unsuccessful referral will lead to permanent exclusion. However, this was by no means the most common outcome, reflecting the commitment of many Headteachers to Lincolnshire's aspiration of zero exclusions.
AP places must only be for pupils as an alternative to permanent exclusion when all else has failed. They are not, in this regard, 'early' intervention places. Early intervention needs to happen within mainstream schools, not outside them, as the 2017 exclusion guidance emphasises. ("Early intervention to address underlying causes of disruptive behaviour should include an assessment of whether appropriate provision is in place.") The core function of the panel is to promote evidence-based inclusive practice by insisting always on evidence of evidence- based early intervention. The 'Inclusive Lincolnshire Toolkit', promoted through Headteacher briefings, was written as a guide to support this.
Engagement with the Ladder can be measured by comparing the number of pupils who are permanently excluded, effectively bypassing the Ladder, with the number that access AP via the Ladder, without the need for a permanent exclusion. Here, the difference between secondary and primary phases was marked in 2016-17 and a key aim of the current academic year is to engage secondary schools more positively in the process. For as long as pupils are both accessing intervention/ KS4Pathway places and being permanently excluded, PRU capacity will remain a pressing and costly concern.
Page 67 Reintegration of permanently excluded pupils
A PRU should operate as a 'revolving door' with permanently excluded pupils accessing education on the sixth day in order for the LA to discharge its legal duty, but reintegrated back into a new mainstream school at the earliest possible opportunity. There are of course inherent challenges. If a pupil is found to have previously unidentified SEND and is successfully referred for EHC assessment, then the SEND consultation process can be lengthy if schools repeatedly state that they cannot meet need. Equally, there may be a wait for a special school place – an issue that is currently being addressed through LCC's SEND Review. Further, pupils may be highly anxious about a return to the mainstream. Of all the challenges in the exclusions field, reintegration is the main one. When this stalls, centres fill quickly and the potential impact on the High Needs budget is very significant.
Springwell Lincoln Academy uses Doyle's school readiness scale to assess whether permanently excluded pupils are 'school ready'. Names are then shared with the PRT and reintegration procedures are as follows:
Page 68 One Two Three Four and five Six Induction
Executive Centre PRT and CL PRT informs Admission Pupil is SENDCO Lead attends CL when meeting is supported shares list confirms family school has held and start by BOSS of school date of meeting and been identified date agreed and others, ready with placement preferred as per PSP PRT meeting schools are Admission PSP meeting with PRT identified meeting at new and support Centre having school is for induction PSP is Leads (CL) agreed with All scheduled by agreed reviewed, make family reintegration PRT and CL (BOSS, CL, as agreed. referral to packs from invited Headteacher BOSS – via BOSS SPLCA now Pupil taken PRT begins work received by Review dates off with pupil PRT agreed Springwell PRT roll at end contacts PRT of dual-reg centre lead approach period. to organise schools placement identified by meeting family with family
Pupils who access KS1-3 intervention places must also be reintegrated with an adapted version of the procedure above also applying to this cohort. Placements are generally about 16 weeks in length, but may be extended or shortened according to a pupil's response to intervention.
13 non-returning Alternative Pathway KS4 pupils have been included in the table above. Nonetheless, it remains the case that most KS1-3 pupils have successfully returned to their home schools (or in some cases a special setting). Where reintegration was unsuccessful, the pupil was in most cases Year 9.
Page 69 Support Services
LCC has commissioned a range of services to strengthen best practice in early intervention and thus limit the need for AP and any subsequent reintegration.
BOSS, already mentioned, went live in September 2016. It provides a bespoke service for all schools in Lincolnshire, building their capacity to meet the social and emotional needs of pupils at risk of exclusion. The BOSS offer now includes:
Awareness training for whole schools, individual staff teams, and/or individual staff, including lunch time supervisors about attachment and restorative approaches Advice and guidance about behaviour management Specialist training events delivered by qualified trainers Bespoke training packages at request. These training packages are tailor made for individual schools, clusters, federations and academies Mentoring, coaching, advice and practical intervention to develop a whole school approach to managing behaviour Targeted transition and re-integration support for managed moves Re-integration support and plans for schools when pupils return to mainstream education from alternative provision Targeted restorative support, provided by a qualified restorative practitioner In partnership with Restorative Solutions, a pilot project developing whole school restorative practice
The Working Together Team (WTT) was commissioned to provide educational support for pupils whose special needs, in this context specifically behavioural difficulties, relate to autism, with or without a diagnosis. The service follows a tiered model of support, the first tier being a single consultation when there are concerns about a pupil. If further intervention is required, schools can refer for specialist support from a WTT practitioner who then devises a programme similar to PSP around the Signs of Safety model of ‘working well’; ‘not working well’ and ‘what needs to happen next’. This draws from a wide range of established and research- led approaches and interventions. Schools are expected to deliver programmes with on-going consultation, assessment, training and review from the WTT specialist teacher.
The pupil reintegration team (PRT) The work of this LCC team has been remodelled to support the aspiration of zero exclusion. Formerly, PRT caseworkers and officers managed the permanent exclusion process, reactively. That work continues since there are still, unfortunately, permanent exclusions to casework. However, the core function of the team has now changed completely with the focus on prevention; on embedding the Ladder across all Lincolnshire Schools. This
Page 70 involves, for example, advising at PSP meetings, engaging hard to reach families in the PSP process, liaising with colleagues in BOSS, providing governor training on the Ladder, responding to daily calls for advice, feeding AP panel decisions back to Headteachers, managing the AP referral process and working with Springwell partners to track AP placements and to reintegrate permanently excluded pupils back into mainstream at the earliest opportunity.
The PRT has also introduced for 2017/18 Collaborative Headteacher Inclusion Panels (CHIPS) – a significant investment that is, again, designed to provide secondary Headteachers with an alternative to permanent exclusion.
Collaborative Headteacher Panels (CHIPS)
Whilst the benefits of a 'fresh start' for a pupil can be over-stated, there is no question that managed moves do work well for some, particularly where relationships in the home school have become toxic or when a serious 'one-off' incident has occurred.
LCC's managed move protocol was published at the end of 2015/16. For a pilot year, 2016/17, it was agreed that the council would fund transport for managed moves, where the new school was not the nearest to home address, since the cost of transport had prevented such a protocol from operating effectively in the past.
A DMT decision was made at the end of 2016/17 to extend and develop this pilot for another two years, acknowledging that council support for transport has the potential to incur significant cost. (The projected cost for the academic year 2017/18 for those that will still have a transport entitlement is £89,165.10. This is of course the initial projected cost and does not take account of any new students embarking on a managed move in 2017/18 and beyond.)
The PRT is in the process of establishing Collaborative Headteacher Inclusion Panels (CHIPs) across the localities, to enable schools to further develop partnership working. As a full and effective partner in the panels, the PRT will provide robust challenge and direction to schools to ensure that the use and implementation of managed moves are subject to scrutiny and peer review. The goal for the CHIPS will be to build on 2016-17 learning, consolidate and structure the process and see an increase in successful moves, guarding against the risk of managed move saturation.
The first panels have been established in Lincoln, cluster protocols agreed by participants and a meeting schedule is in place. Further discussions are underway in the Grantham area to consolidate local arrangements. By Christmas 2017, the goal is to have established CHIPS across the entire county, as below:
Page 71 Greater Lincoln North Kesteven Academy Sir Robert Pattinson Academy Branston Community Academy Cherry Willingham Community School Lincoln Castle Academy Lincoln Christ's Hospital Academy Lincoln St Peter and St Paul's Catholic Voluntary Academy The Priory City of Lincoln Academy Lincoln Priory Academy LSST Lincoln The Priory Witham Academy Lincoln University Technical College
West Lindsey Market Rasen De Aston Academy Welton William Farr C of E Academy Caistor Yarborough Academy Caistor Grammar Academy Gainsborough Academy Gainsborough Queen Elizabeth's High School
Boston Boston Haven High Academy Bosoton Grammar Academy Boston High School Academy Thomas Middlecott School Barnes Wallace Academy Stickney The William Lovell C of E Academy
East Lindsey A Alford Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Academy Alford John Spendluffe Academy Louth King Edward VI Grammar School Louth and Mablethorpe Monks' Dyke Tennyson College Louth Cordeaux Academy Somercotes Academy
East Lindsey B Horncastle Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Academy Horncastle Banovallum School Skegness Grammar Academy Skegness Academy Spilsby King Edward VI Academy Old LeakeThe Giles Academy
Page 72 South/North Kesteven The West Grantham Academy St Hugh's Corby Glen The Charles Read Academy Grantham The Priory Ruskin Academy Grantham The King's Academy Grantham Kesteven and Grantham Girls' Academy Grantham Walton Girls' Academy Welbourn Sir William Robertson Academy Sleaford Carre's Grammar Academy Sleaford Kesteven & Sleaford High Academy Sleaford St George's Academy
South Kesteven/South Holland Bourne Academy Bourne Grammar Academy The Deepings Academy Spalding Grammar Academy Spalding High School Donington Thomas Cowley High Academy Long Sutton The Peele Community College University Academy Holbeach Stamford Welland Academy Spalding Academy
Of course, some Headteachers may wish to join different clusters, or they may wish to access more than one where this is appropriate, geographically. Carol Duncan will negotiate with schools in the North and Tracey Robinson the South.
A changing AP landscape
The council's aspiration to invest in the vocational sector to further reduce secondary exclusions has already been noted. This is by no means the only significant development within the sector. During 2016-17, Wellspring Academy Trust successfully converted the Mary Knox in Lincoln, formerly part of the Teaching and Learning Centre, to create Springwell Lincoln City Academy (SPLCA). The academy's satellite sites are currently spread across the localities in Gainsborough (Longwood House), Boston (Carlton Rd), Baumber and Mablethorpe (the Monks Dyke Tennyson College site from October 2017 – currently mobiles).
This is, however, an interim arrangement with Wellspring having secured approval to build four free schools in Lincolnshire. Mary Knox will operate as the MAT's Lincolnshire headquarters with stand-alone free schools opening in Mablethorpe (formerly MDTC/Youth centre site), Lincoln (adjacent to Myle Cross/Giles Academy sites), Spalding (in the former sixth form centre of Spalding Gleed/Academy) and Grantham (a new build on the old Grantham LTLC site).
Page 73 Contract Management
DfE High needs funding: alternative provision (Sept 2015) advises that Local Authorities must "encourage good quality AP that helps pupils and students achieve their full potential and not sustain poor quality AP." (p4) The council therefore has a duty to ensure that performance is evaluated and commissioning decisions reflect the outcome of this.
LCC contract management processes are designed to ensure that the performance of AP commissioned by the LA, currently exclusively WAT, is monitored and evaluated. Led by the contract management board, these meetings are to be held at the end of each half term and will utilise the Council's Joint Evaluation Toolkit (JET) system. The JET adopts a balanced scorecard approach to manage the performance and risks of contracted services delivered, evaluating the quality of service provided against the associated costs to assist LCC in determining if the service provides value for money and improves outcomes for children and young people.
Consultation
a) Have Risks and Impact Analysis been carried out?? No
b) Risks and Impact Analysis
N/A
Background Papers
None
Page 74 This report was written by Mary Meredith, who can be contacted on 01522 554549 or [email protected].
Page 75 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 12
Regulatory and Other Committee
Open Report on behalf of Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services
Report to: Schools Forum Date: 04 October 2017 Subject: Academies and Academy Trusts KeyDecision decision? Reference: No Summary: The purpose this report is to provide information on the latest number of academies, academy trusts and pupils in academies.
Recommendation(s): The Schools Forum is asked to note the contents of this report.
Background
The Schools Forum asked for an update to be provided to each meeting on the number of academy conversions.
This is the position as at the 1st September 2017. The pupil figures are based on the May 2017 census data (i.e. the latest published). The national academy trust data is the latest available from Edubase.
Since the effective date of the last report (1st April 2017), there have been three academy conversions. Two of these conversions were sponsored conversions of secondary schools. Louth Monks Dyke Tennyson College has become Louth Academy and is sponsored by Tollbar Multi-Academy Trust. Cherry Willingham Community School is now Cherry Willingham the Priory Pembroke Academy sponsored by the Priory Federation of Academies. One primary school voluntarily converted to academy status. Marton Primary Academy is now part of the Forge Trust. These conversions mean that there are now 52 (94.5%) secondary academies educating 93.8% of the state secondary pupils in Lincolnshire. The additional primary academy brings the total number to 81 (28.9%) educating 37.9% of state primary pupils in Lincolnshire.
In addition to the conversions, North Hykeham Ling Moor Primary Academy has joined the Priory Federation of Academies and Louth Cordeaux Academy is now sponsored by Tollbar Multi-Academy Trust.
Page 77 Current Status of All Lincolnshire State Schools
Schools FTE Nursery All 5 329 Maintained 5 100.0% 329 100.0% Academy 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Primary All 280 56,879 Maintained 199 71.1% 35,334 62.1% Academy 81 28.9% 21,545 37.9%
Secondary All 55 45,727 Maintained 3 5.5% 2,818 6.2% Academy 52 94.5% 42,909 93.8%
Special All 21 1,935 Maintained 7 33.3% 743 38.4% Academy 14 66.7% 1,192 61.6%
PRU All 1 279 Maintained 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Academy 1 100.0% 279 100.0%
Total All 362 105,149 Maintained 214 59.1% 39,224 37.3% Academy 148 40.9% 65,925 62.7%
Page 78 Below is a list of the academy trusts that currently have the greatest number of academies in Lincolnshire.
1 Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust 8 2 The Boston Witham Academies Federation 8 3 The David Ross Education Trust 8 4 Community Inclusive Trust 7 5 The Priory Federation of Academies 7 6 Greenwood Academies Trust 6 7 CFBT Schools Trust 5 8 St Gilbert of Sempringham Academies Trust 5 9 Tollbar Multi Academy Trust 4 10 Tall Oaks Academy Trust Ltd 3 The Lincolnshire Educational Trust Limited 3
There are thirty-four active multi-academy trusts within Lincolnshire and a total of ninety- nine Lincolnshire academies that are members of multi-academy trusts. This represents 67% of all Lincolnshire Academies. Forty-nine (33%) of Lincolnshire academies are not members of multi-academy trusts. Eleven multi-academy trusts have just one Lincolnshire academy as a member; four of these are single Lincolnshire academy multi-academy trusts. The other seven also have academies that are not within Lincolnshire. Twelve multi-academy trusts have two academies; ten of these trusts are currently based entirely within Lincolnshire.
The largest academy trusts nationally that operate within Lincolnshire are Academies Enterprise Trust (60 Academies, two in Lincolnshire), The David Ross Education Trust (34 Academies, eight in Lincolnshire), Greenwood Academies Trust (31 Academies, six in Lincolnshire) and The Enquire Learning Trust (26 Academies, one in Lincolnshire). The next largest is L.E.A.D. Multi-Academy Trust which has 19 Academies nationally. It currently has none in Lincolnshire but this is projected to change.
Page 79 By 1st December 2017 if conversions and sponsored conversions proceed according to their current target dates, the position will be:
Schools FTE Nursery All 5 329 Maintained 5 100.0% 329 100.0% Academy 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Primary All 280 56,879 Maintained 195 69.6% 34,712 61.0% Academy 85 30.4% 22,167 39.0%
Secondary All 55 45,727 Maintained 3 5.5% 2,818 6.2% Academy 52 94.5% 42,909 93.8%
Special All 21 1,935 Maintained 7 33.3% 743 38.4% Academy 14 66.7% 1,192 61.6%
PRU All 1 279 Maintained 0 0.0% 279 100.0% Academy 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Total All 362 105,149 Maintained 210 58.0% 38,881 37.0% Academy 152 42.0% 66,268 63.0%
There are currently four schools, all primary, with target dates for conversion during the next six months. These schools are Whaplode Church of England Primary School, which is intending to join Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust, Caythorpe Primary School which will be sponsored by Community Inclusive Trust, Waddington All Saints Primary School which is joining L.E.A.D. Multi-Academy Trust and Chapel St Leonards Primary School who will be sponsored by a sponsor that is yet to be decided. These conversions will raise the number of Primary Academies to 85 (30.4%) and the number of primary academy pupils to 21,798 (39%). It is also intended that North Hykeham Manor Farm and Witham St Hughs Academy will join L.E.A.D. Multi-Academy Trust.
The conversions of Sutterton Fourfields Church of England School and Swineshead St Mary's Church of England Primary School are currently targeted for the 1st April 2018. There are also a number of other schools that have applied for academy status but whose applications are still to be considered by the East Midlands and the Humber Headteacher Board.
Page 80 Conclusion The Schools Forum is asked to note the contents of this report
Consultation
a) Have Risks and Impact Analysis been carried out?? No
b) Risks and Impact Analysis
Not required for this report
Background Papers
None
This report was written by Adrian Clarke, who can be contacted on 01522 553216 or [email protected].
Page 81 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 13
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum Work Programme
4 October 2017
Item Contributor Purpose
National funding formula for Mark Popplewell To provide the Schools' Schools Forum with an update on the mainstream school funding
De-delegation of Maintained Mark Popplewell To seek approval from the Primary Schools Budgets maintained primary school representatives approval to the Local authority's proposals
Revised Schools Budgets Mark Popplewell To provide information on 2017/18 the revised Schools Budget for 2017/18 and to seek support for the proposed use of the DSG underspend
School Carry Forwards Elizabeth Bowes To provide the Schools' Forum with information regarding Lincolnshire's maintained schools' carry forwards at 31 March 2017
School Financial Value Elizabeth Bowes To provide the Schools' Standard Forum with an update on the Schools Financial Value Standard
Alternative Provision Mary Meredith To provide an update on how Arrangements the new arrangements are working
Academies Update John O'Connor To provide the Schools' Forum with an update on the latest position regarding the number of Maintained Schools and Academies and the number pupils in them
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum Katrina Cope To provide the Schools' – Work Programme Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings, which will be subsequently, included on the Work Programme
Future Meeting Dates Katrina Cope For the Schools Forum to agree their future meeting dates
Page 83
Note:- There will likely be an extraordinary meeting in late November/December 2017 to discuss the outcome of the national funding formula consultation with local schools – Date to be confirmed
January 2018 (meeting date to be agreed)
School Funding Mark Popplewell To provide an update on Arrangements 2018/19 school funding arrangements for 2018/19
School Funding Formula Mark Popplewell To seek arrangement of Changes for 2018/19 potential funding formula changes
2017/18 Section 251 Mark Popplewell To provide the Schools' Benchmarking Information Forum with the latest Section 251 benchmarking data published by the Department for Education.
SEND Strategy Sheridan Dodsworth To provide the Schools' Forum with an update on the SEND Strategy
Academies Update John O'Connor To provide the Schools' Forum with an update on the latest position regarding the number of Maintained Schools and Academies and the pupils in them
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum Katrina Cope To provide the Schools' – Work Programme Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings, which will be subsequently, included on the Work Programme
April 2018 (meeting date to be agreed)
Section 251 Budget Mark Popplewell To provide an update to the Statement 2018/19 Schools' Forum regarding the Budget Statement for 2018/19
Annual report on Special Sheridan Dodsworth To receive an annual report Educational Needs on Special Educational Needs
Annual report on Early Years Michelle Andrews To receive an annual report on the Early Years' Service
Page 84
Team Around the Child in Paula Whitehead To receive an update on the Lincolnshire Team Around the Child
Schools Broadband Services t.b.c To receive an update on the Schools Broadband Services post October 2019
Academies Update John O'Connor To provide the Schools' Forum with an update on the latest position regarding the number of Maintained Schools and Academies and the pupils in them
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum Katrina Cope To provide the Schools' – Work Programme Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings, which will be subsequently, included on the Work Programme
June 2018 (meeting date to be agreed)
School Funding Update Mark Popplewell To provide an update on school funding arrangements
Academies Update John O'Connor To provide the Schools' Forum with an update on the latest position regarding the number of Maintained Schools and Academies and the pupils in them
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum Katrina Cope To provide the Schools' – Work Programme Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings, which will be subsequently, included on the Work Programme
October 2018 (meeting date to be agreed)
National funding formula for Mark Popplewell To provide the Schools' Schools – update for Forum with an update on the 2019/20 mainstream school funding
De-delegation of Maintained Mark Popplewell To seek approval from the Primary Schools Budgets maintained primary school representatives approval to the Local authority's
Page 85 proposals
Revised Schools Budgets Mark Popplewell To provide information on 2018/19 the revised Schools Budget for 2018/19 and to seek support for the proposed use of the DSG underspend
School Carry Forwards Elizabeth Bowes To provide the Schools' Forum with information regarding Lincolnshire's maintained schools' carry forwards at 31 March 2018
School Financial Value Elizabeth Bowes To provide the Schools' Standard Forum with an update on the Schools Financial Value Standard
Alternative Provision Mary Meredith To provide an update on how Arrangements alternative provision arrangements are working
Academies Update John O'Connor To provide the Schools' Forum with an update on the latest position regarding the number of Maintained Schools and Academies and the number pupils in them
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum Katrina Cope To provide the Schools' – Work Programme Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings, which will be subsequently, included on the Work Programme
Future Meeting Dates Katrina Cope For the Schools Forum to agree their future meeting dates
Page 86