Thurrock Schools' Forum, 17 January 2019

THURROCK SCHOOLS’ FORUM

17th January 2019 at 9.00 a.m Thurrock Adult Community College, Room 10, Richmond Road, Grays, RM17 6DN Contact: 01375 372476

AGENDA

Primary Academies Headteacher – Kenningtons Ms J Sawtell-Haynes Headteacher – Abbotts Primary Mrs L James Principal – Woodside Academy Mr E Caines – Vice Chair Headteacher – Giffards Primary Mrs N Haslam-Davis CEO - Catalyst Academies Trust Mr T Parfett Headteacher- Arthur Bugler Primary Mr J Bryant Governor

Primary Maintained Schools Headteacher – Aveley Primary Miss N Shadbolt Governor Mrs H Gentry

Secondary Academies CEO – Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust Mr P Griffiths – Chair Principal – Harris Academy Chafford Hundred Mrs N Graham Headteacher – William Edwards Mr S Munday CEO – ORTU Federation Ltd Dr S Asong Governor – Hathaway Academy Mr S Sweeting

Secondary Maintained Schools Headteacher – Grays Convent Mrs P Johnson

Special Maintained Schools Headteacher – Treetops School Mr P Smith

Special Academy Headteacher-Beacon Hill Academy Ms S Hewitt

Olive AP Academy Executive Headteacher Ms E Hinds

Non School Members Diocese of Brentwood Mrs M Shepherd Diocese of Chelmsford Miss S Jones 0-11 Representative Ms A Jones 11-19 Representative Mr D Pearson

Portfolio Holder – Children and Learning Cllr J Halden

1 Contact Jan Walker. Children’s Services (01375 652559) Children, Education & Families, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6SL Minutes: Caroline Koblitz Introductory Items Item Item Time Guide 1. Welcome from Chair 1 min

2. Apologies for Absence 2 mins Agreement of agenda, time-guide and notification of ‘Any 3. 2 mins Other Business’ Items for Decision

High Needs Block Funding 2019/20

4. 30 mins • Presented by David May

Additional Targeted Support for High Need Pupils in Mainstream Schools and Academies 5. 30 mins • Presented by David May

School Expansion Process and Principles

6. 5 mins • Presented by Sarah Williams

Items for Information

Dedicated Schools Grant 2019/20

7. 20 mins • Presented by David May

Closing Items

Agenda Priorities 8. • Review of provisional agenda items for the next 5 mins meeting, presented by Sarah Williams

2 Contact Jan Walker. Children’s Services (01375 652559) Children, Education & Families, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6SL Minutes: Caroline Koblitz Schools’ Forum Forward Plan 9. • To consider and agree any urgent additions to the 5 mins forward plan, presented by Sarah Williams

10. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 15th November 2018 5 mins

11. Matters Arising 5 mins

12. Any Other Business 5 mins Date of next meeting 14th March 2019 at 4.00 p.m. Thurrock 13. Adult Community College

3 Contact Jan Walker. Children’s Services (01375 652559) Children, Education & Families, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6SL Minutes: Caroline Koblitz Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

THURROCK SCHOOLS FORUM REPORT

DATE: 17th January 2019

SUBJECT: High Needs Block Funding 2019/20

REPORT OF: David May

THE REPORT IS: For Decision

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report provides updated information to School Forum members in relation to the funding of the High Needs Block within the DSG for 2019/20 and progress on the commissioning arrangements and values for high need places in specialist provisions from September 2019.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 School Forum members are asked to:

(i) Consider and comment on the information provided in the report.

(ii) Consider the updated HNB funding for 2019/20.

(iii) Agree to the proposed band values to be applied to both 2018/19 and 2019/20 commissioned numbers.

(iv) Agree to the development of detailed Service Level Agreements as detailed in the report.

(v) Agree to receive a final consolidated report for the High Needs Block at the March meeting.

Page 1 of 8 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

3. HIGH NEEDS BUDGET 2018/19

3.1 The outturn position for 2017/18 was an overspend of £3.152m, categorised into 4 main areas: • Additional payments of £2.045m in support of children with Statements/Education and Health Care (EHC) plans; • Additional post 16 payments totalling £0.315m; • Independent school fees – transport payments totalling £0.340m; • Additional Home to School Transport payments totalling £0.453m

3.2 The latest outturn position for 2018/19, before any additional funding is applied is £2.120m, shown in the table below:

High Needs Block Budget Forecasted Deficit 2018/19 Outturn 2018/19 Home to School Transport 2,403,885 3,647,490 1,243,605 EHCP - Top Up Payments 9,039,443 9,484,315 444,872 Out of Authority Placements 800,000 1,014,024 214,024 Independent Special Schools 3,220,000 3,311,735 91,735 Post 16 1,000,000 1,133,674 133,674 Retained HNB 1,275,344 1,275,344 0 Travellers Team 56,000 47,973 (8,027) High Needs Block 17,794,672 19,914,555 2,119,883

3.3 Additional funding has been provided, to support 2018/19 budget position: • Thurrock Council £0.500m, a one off contribution to support the DSG 2018/19 financial outturn position; • ESFA additional HNB funding allocation of £0.452m

This additional funding reduces the HNB 2018/19 deficit to £1.170m as reflected in the table below:

High Needs Block Budget Forecasted Deficit 2018/19 Outturn 2018/19 Home to School Transport 2,403,885 3,147,490 743,605 EHCP - Top Up Payments 9,291,443 9,484,315 192,872 Out of Authority Placements 900,000 1,014,024 114,024 Independent Special Schools 3,270,000 3,311,735 41,735 Post 16 1,050,000 1,133,674 83,674 Retained HNB 1,275,344 1,275,344 0 Travellers Team 56,000 47,973 (8,027) High Needs Block 18,246,672 19,414,555 1,167,883

Page 2 of 8 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

3.4 The overall DSG deficit for 2018/19 is forecasted to be £1.3m. This includes the forecasted overspend on pupil growth within the schools block.

4. HIGH NEEDS FUNDING 2019/20

4.1 On 17 December, the Secretary of State for Education announced details of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations for 2019/20. The table below shows the detail for the High Needs Block and provides reconciliation from 2018/19 to 2019/20 funding settlements.

High Needs Block Funding 2019/20 £m Funding Settlement 2018/19 22.312 Import / export adjustments (0.171) 22.141 Planned change in funding 0.624 Change in Pupil Numbers 0.051 Additional HNB funding (Dec-18) 0.452 Funding Settlement 2019/20 23.268 Less Academy Recoupment: (5.414) 17.854 Transfer between Funding Blocks 0.595 HNB Retained budget 2019/20 £18.449

4.2 The High Needs Block of the DSG has been increased by £125m in both 2018/19 and 2019/20 to provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The growth in SEN is now recognised and it is hoped this investment is the start of providing sufficient resource to manage the increased demand for services.

4.3 In addition, extra national capital funding of £100m in 2019/20 has been announced to increase capacity locally for pupils in mainstream and special schools, and for young people aged 16 and above. This additional funding will give more children access to a good school or college place that meets their individual needs. This could also pay for more state of the art facilities, such as sensory rooms and specialist equipment.

5. HIGH NEEDS BUDGET 2019/20

5.1 A review of the DSG was undertaken in 2018 that identified the increase in both Education Health and Care Plans and Home to School Transport as the key areas of change and represent the most significant financial risk.

Page 3 of 8 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

5.2 The review of the DSG and HNB resulted in the following changes being implemented:

• Top up Hourly Rate decreased to £10 from April 2018; • Review of HNB band values for 2018/19 and 2019/20; • School Block 2019/20 to be top sliced by £1.843m to support HNB;

5.3 Thurrock council as part of its Budget Planning Framework for 2019/20 and beyond has been considering how it can support the DSG High Needs Block to develop a long term sustainable solution.

5.4 Thurrock council has agreed that the risk of EHCP and Home to School Transport should be shared between the Local Authority and the DSG.

5.5 The responsibility for the financial management of the EHCP will be with the DSG, with the Local Authority taking responsibility for Home to School Transport.

5.6 The DSG will make a fixed annual contribution of £1.787m towards Home to School Transport; this is being consistent with the DSG budget that was applied from 2006/07 through to 2016/17.

5.7 This decision and the increase in funding (reported in 4.1 above) delivers the following budget for 2019/20:

High Needs Block Budget Forecasted Budget % 2018/19 Outturn 2019/20 Increase 2018/19

Home to School Transport 2,903,885 3,647,490 1,787,000 Fixed EHCP - Top Up Payments 9,291,443 9,484,315 9,725,000 2.5% Out of Authority Placements 900,000 1,014,024 1,040,000 2.5% Independent Special Schools 3,270,000 3,311,735 3,400,000 2.6% Post 16 1,050,000 1,133,674 1,166,000 2.8% Retained HNB 1,275,344 1,275,344 1,275,000 0.0% Travellers Team 56,000 47,973 56,000 0.0% High Needs Block 18,746,672 19,914,555 18,449,000

5.8 The HNB budget table shows a percentage increase of more than 2.5% for key areas when applied against the 2018/19 forecasted outturn position. This provides a realistic budget for 2019/20 and starts with the basis of delivering a balanced budget.

Page 4 of 8 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

6. DEDICATED SCHOOLS GRANT DEFICIT

6.1 The DSG first experienced a deficit in 2016/17; this was identified at year end and prevented any action being taken to the 2017/18 position. As part of the 2018/19 budget process a disapplication request was approved by the ESFA to topslice £1.843m from the schools block to repay the 2016/17 deficit and support the 2018/19 budget position.

6.2 In 2018/19 the position has been monitored closely, whilst a review was undertaken. In year mitigation has been actioned, as reported at 5.2 above, that contributes to a reduced projected deficit to £1.312m.

6.3 The table below shows the projected accumulated position of £4.248m as at 31st March 2019:

DSG Reserve £m £m £m DSG Outturn 2016/17 1.343 DSG Outturn 2017/18 2.702 DSG 31-03-18 4.045 DSG Top slice 2018/19 (1.343) DSG 30-10-18 2.702 Early Years Adjustment 2017/18 0.234 Schools Block 2018/19 0.144 High Needs Block 2.120 2.264 Thurrock Council 2018/19 (0.500) Additional DSG (0.452) (0.952) 1.312 DSG 31-03-19 4.248

Updated Guidelines 6.4 Guidelines released by the ESFA in November requires the Local Authority to develop a recovery plan that details the steps the LA plan to take to provide statutory services within the annual funding envelope. It is expected that these recovery plans will be discussed with, and if possible, agreed with, the local schools forum.

6.5 Any LA’s that propose to leave part or all of their accumulated DSG deficit outstanding will need to provide a clear explanation as to why their deficits could not be recovered in the short term and provide thorough evidence to support their proposals. They will also need agreement from their Chief Finance Officer (CFO).

6.6 Section 5 of this report explains the development of a realistic budget for the High Needs Block for 2019/20.

Page 5 of 8 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

6.7 The DSG over the 3 year period 2019/20 to 2021/22 is required to contribute £2.124m towards the accumulated deficit, as shown in the table below. Discussions are ongoing to determine alternative funding sources to contribute to the remaining £2.124m.

6.8 The plan for recovery from the DSG is shown below:

DSG Reserve £m DSG 31-03-19 4.248 DSG Top slice 2019/20 (1.248) DSG 31-03-20 3.000 DSG Top slice 2020/21 (0.438) DSG 31-03-21 2.562 DSG Top slice 2021/22 (0.438) DSG 31-03-22 2.124

6.9 This is consistent with the proposal to reduce the level of top slice from the Schools Block to the high Needs Block from 2020/21. The intention is to set this as a maximum of 0.5% of the schools block (£0.600m). This would release £1.243m back into the schools funding formula.

7. INFORMATION REGARDING CORE FUNDING AND TOP UP FUNDING BY TYPE OF INSTITUTION

7.1 As part of the review of the HNB a review of band values has been undertaken. Detailed discussions have taken place with individual providers to discuss the current rates and options to seek improved value for money.

7.2 In discussions providers understood the position of the HNB deficit and the need to consider revision to the funding rates. A reduction of 1.5% has been applied to only the top up element of the funding.

7.3 The table, on the next page, shows the current and proposed rates. This will be subject to change as the Basic entitlement values change through the new schools funding formula to be applied in 2019/20:

7.4 The hourly top up rate to be paid will continue at £10 per hour for 2019/20.

7.5 The information is also included in Appendix 1 – High Need Pupils and Alternative Provision April 2019 - March 2020. This is draft funding guidance that has been developed for distribution to providers to provide clarity to the funding for both pre and post 16 pupils for the 2019/20 academic year:

Page 6 of 8 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

Current Revised Type of Reductio Band Descriptor Band Band Provider n Value Value Special - Treetops Band 1 £11,480 -£22.20 £11,458 Special Special - Treetops Band 2 £13,260 -£48.90 £13,211 Schools & Academies Special - Treetops Band 3 £28,590 -£278.85 £28,311 Special - Beacon Hill £28,820 -£282.30 £28,538

AP AP - Olive £30,895 -£3,895 £27,000

Mainstream - Primary Band 1 £15,000 -£75.00 £14,925 Mainstream Mainstream - Primary Band 2 £17,625 -£114.38 £17,511 Schools & Mainstream - Primary Band 3 £24,500 -£217.50 £24,283 Academies Mainstream - Primary - AP £25,000 £0.00 £25,000 with Specialist / Mainstream - Secondary Band 1 £15,000 -£75.00 £14,925 Resource Mainstream - Secondary Band 2 £17,625 -£114.38 £17,511 Provisions Mainstream - Secondary Band 3 £24,500 -£217.50 £24,283 Mainstream - Nursery £17,000 £0.00 £17,000

8. SPECIAL FREE SCHOOLS

8.1 From 2019/20 onwards, funding for special free school places will be included in local authorities’ high needs allocations. Funding for these places will be deducted from local authorities’ high needs allocations by ESFA, and paid directly to schools, as for special academies. The EFSA will use the basic entitlement factor, the import/export adjustment and further adjustments in the National Funding Formula to ensure that this change will not result in an unfunded cost for local authorities. Local authorities with a special free school will receive £10,000 for every place at the free school through the formula adjustments mentioned above1.

1 Where a pupil lives in a different local authority to the one the free school is located in, the £6,000 adjustment will be allocated to the resident local authority. The provider local authority will be compensated as necessary through the import/export adjustment.

Page 7 of 8 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No.4 Schools Forum 15th November 2018

9. COMMISSIONING ARRANGEMENTS 2019/20 ACADEMIC YEARS

9.1 Appendix 2 identifies the local authority’s commissioning arrangements for 2019/20. The process identifies commissioned numbers for 2019/20 of 580; this is a decrease of 18 from 2018/19. This is primarily as a result of the reduction in the number of AP commissioned places.

10. OUT OF AREA PLACEMENTS

10.1 Schools Forum needs to be aware that of the current commissioned places a small number of places are currently taken up by pupils from other local authorities; however, we have 63 pupils currently placed in schools in neighbouring local authorities.

As a local area we have 71 pupils in independent specialist schools, and non-maintained specialist settings.

11. NEXT STEPS

11.1 Officers will continue to work with all settings to review and consider current service level agreements. It is proposed that a refreshed SLA will be developed with providers to be implemented from 2019/20.

12. REFERENCES TO PREVIOUS REPORTS

12.1 Schools Forum 13th September 2018 – Item 8 High Needs Block Commissioning Arrangements 2019-20

13. CONTACT DETAILS OF LEAD OFFICER / AUTHOR If you have any queries or comments in advance of the Schools Forum meeting about this report, please contact

Name: David May Role: Management Accountant DSG and Schools E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 01375 652092

Page 8 of 8

Funding Guidance High Need Pupils and Alternative Provision April 2019 – March 2020

March 2019

Contents

Summary

Introduction

Funding High Needs Places

Mainstream Schools and Academies Top-Up Funding

Early Years Providers Top-Up Funding

Specialist Provision Top-Ups

Alternative Provision Top-Ups and Charges

Top-Up Funding Rates 2019/20

Indicative Funding Statements

Payment Arrangements

Contact Details

Page 1 of 9

Summary

1. This guidance has been produced to provide information to all local education providers on the funding arrangements for High Need Pupils with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and those pupils requiring access to the Alternative Provision (AP) that is available across the borough.

2. The guidance concerns the financial arrangements for providing additional specific funding in to the following types of setting:

• Mainstream schools and academies for pupils aged from 2-18 (inclusive of students who turn 19 on or after 31 August in the academic year in which they study) • All providers of nursery education • Specialist provisions based in maintained special schools, special academies for pupils aged between 2-19 and mainstream schools • Providers of alternative provision (AP) for high need pupils without a statement or EHCP and schools accessing places in local authority operated alternative provision.

3. The information provided includes an overview of the national funding system in relation to high needs and alternative provision and the local arrangements for funding commissioned places and top-up funding for pupils with an EHCP, or that have been assessed as requiring access to AP services delivered or commissioned by the local authority.

4. National operational guidance published by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) in September 2018 for both High Needs and Alternative Provision Funding for 2019/20 has been taken into account when publishing this guidance as well as any requirements of the Children and Families Act 2014, which extends local authorities statutory duties relating to SEN across the 0 to 25 age range. Funding requirements as set out in the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2018 have also been considered in providing the information in this guidance.

5. This document will be updated annually to reflect any changes in guidance issued by the Department for Education and Education Funding Agency. The main points included from the 2019/20 guidance are as follows:

• Inclusion of information on how commissioned place funding is allocated to providers

• Additional guidance in relation to high needs funding for Early Years Providers

• Guidance on the local arrangements for funding commissioned places in maintained specialist and alternative provisions from April 2019

• Updated top-up funding rates for mainstream schools and specialist provider for 2019/20

• Top-up funding rates and charges to mainstream schools and academies for Alternative Provision.

Page 2 of 9

Introduction

6. The high needs funding system supports provision for pupils and students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from their early years to 25 that are deemed to have a high need on both a short or long term basis. High needs funding is also intended to support good quality alternative provision for pupils who cannot receive their education in schools.

7. The funding system has two main components, the first of which is core funding, which is included within mainstream school and academy budgets derived from their local formula or specific place funding allocated to other specialist institutions. The second element is top-up funding sometimes known as element 3 funding. High Needs Pupils (HNP) have been defined by the DfE as:

• Children aged 0 to 5 with SEND whom the local authority decides to support from the high needs budget of which some children may have Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans if identified at an early stage, but this is not a requirement • Pupils aged 5 to 18 (inclusive of students who turn 19 on or after 31 August in the academic year in which they study) with high levels of SEND in maintained schools and academies, further education institutions (FE), specialist post-16 institutions (SPIs) or other settings who receive top-up funding from the high needs budget, of which most, but not all will have an EHC plan or statement of special educational need (SEN) • Students aged 19 to 25 in FE institutions and SPIs who have an EHC plan and require additional support costing over £6,000 • Compulsory school aged pupils placed in Alternative provision (AP) by local authorities or schools. 8. Funding for high need and alternative provision is provided from the High Needs Block (HNB), which is one of the defined funding blocks within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

Funding High Needs Places (Core Funding)

9. Place funding is allocated to an institution and includes the funding pupils and students attract for their core education and basic programmes and to provide a contribution to the additional costs associated with a support package. Funding varies dependent on institution type.

10. Maintained special schools, special academies and mainstream schools and academies with specialist / resource provision receive funding based on a number of agreed commissioned places from the relevant1 funding authority. All commissioned places are funded at £10,000 per place.

11. Maintained Alternative Provision Schools and Pupil Referral Services (PRU), Academies (including AP Academies) and other providers of alternative provision receive funding from the relevant funding authority based on a number of commissioned places at £10,000 per place.

1 For a maintained school, special schools or local authority operated PRUs this is the local authority. For academies and non-maintained special schools this is the Education Funding Agency. Page 3 of 9

12. Each year the local authority determines, with the Education Funding Agency (EFA), the total number of places that will be commissioned from local providers of specialist and alternative provision. This process is undertaken on an academic year basis, and the places required in Thurrock from September 2019 have been considered and agreed by the Schools Forum and with the EFA.

Those maintained providers that will receive their place funding directly from the local authority will be notified of the full time equivalent places funded for the remainder of the academic year 2018/19 and for the 2019/20 academic year by 31 March 2019. All commissioned places are funded at £6,000 per place. Pupils in these places will also attract funding through the mainstream school formula. Other places are funded at £10,000. This may apply where:

• the place is or will be occupied by a pupil registered on the roll of another school • a place isn’t occupied at the time of the school census count, but is likely to be filled, and requires funding • spare capacity is required for another reason Mainstream Schools and Academies Top- Up Funding

13. Top-up funding is the funding required over and above the core or place funding an institution receives, to enable a pupil or student with high needs to participate in education and learning. This is paid by the local authority which places the pupil or student and should mainly reflect the additional support costs an institution incurs relating to the individual pupil or student’s needs.

14. All mainstream schools and academies are required to fund up to the first £6,000 to meet the costs of a HNP from their notional SEN budget, which is allocated as part of the annual funding settlement made to them by the relevant2 funding authority. Additional top-up funding is provided by the commissioning local authority, which for most children and young people is the local authority area they reside in3.

15. When a pupil is issued with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) the plan will include a section where local authorities (and when applicable other funding bodies such as the Health Service) set out in detail the additional funding available to the pupil over and above the funding delegated to schools and academies via their funding allocations. This will include the cost of “top up” funding, based on the assessed needs of the individual pupil. Funding allocated via an EHCP will follow the pupil regardless of the school they attend as long as they remain in a mainstream school.

16. In order to provide a consistent basis for allocating fund to meet the additional staffing support required to meet the needs of pupils with additional needs. The Local Authority has determined that an hourly rate of £10 will be paid for the number of hours assigned to the EHCP.

2 For a maintained school, special schools or local authority operated PRU’s this is the local authority. For academies and non-maintained special schools this is the Education Funding Agency. 3 The exception to this rule will be for a looked after child or young person, where the responsibility for maintaining the EHCP rests with the home local authority. Page 4 of 9

17. If a pupil, currently in a mainstream school is awaiting transfer to a specialist provision based in Thurrock, the top-up will be based on the current banding system and the funding rates that apply will relate to the type of specialist provision.

Early Years Top-up Funding

18. Local authorities’ high needs budgets can be used across the full age range, including for children with SEND in their early years. As in previous years, for those institutions that cater solely for children aged under 5, such as nursery schools, it is not a requirement that places are funded at £10,000, supplemented by top-up funding for individual children. Local authorities can choose to meet the costs of under 5s with high needs in different ways, including SEN support provided directly as a central service for young children with high needs and early years providers.

19. The early year’s national funding formula introduced in 2017/18 allocates funding to local authorities for the existing 15-hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds and the additional 15 hours for 3 and 4 year old children of eligible working parents. It consists of a base rate and an uplift for additional needs, based on measures of free school meals; Disability Living Allowance and English as an additional language.

20. Further support for these children is available via the Disability Access Fund to support disabled children in receipt of disability living allowance to access the free entitlements and the local inclusion fund for children with special educational needs.

Specialist Provision Top-Ups

21. Specialist provisions, identified as maintained special schools, special academies and specialist provisions in mainstream schools (also known as resource provision) for pupils aged 2-18 are dependent on both high need place funding and top-up funding in order to deliver the places commissioned by the local authority. Therefore, all pupils placed in these institutions will take up a commissioned place and attract top-up funding based on the Local Authority’s existing banding system.

22. The current SEN banding system will be used to assign top-up funding to all specialist providers.

23. In some circumstances it may be in the best interests of a pupil with more complex needs than those identified in the assessment criteria to be placed locally. Where this is the case, any additional “top-up” required for the provider to meet the pupil’s needs would be discussed and identified as part of the EHCP planning meeting. Any additional top-up over and above funding band 1 (the maximum rate available in the current banding system) would be identified in the EHCP based on identified costs.

24. Maintained special schools and special academies will continue to be eligible to receive minimum funding guarantee (MFG), funded via the top-up if applicable. The protection has been provided to ensure that the top-up funding rates that apply annually are set at no lower than at such a rate that if all commissioned places in the school or academy were taken up by pupils placed by the local authority and the total number and type of pupils remains the same between the two financial years, the school or academy budget would reduce by no more than 1.5%.

Page 5 of 9

25. The MFG does not protect individual providers who have vacant places at any time during the year, or where the assessed need of the pupils taking up those places changes as the pupil population changes year on-year.

Alternative Provision Top-Ups and Charges

26. The local authority maintains Alternative Provision (AP) services available for schools and academies to access for short-term placements and which also provides full time places for pupils without a school place. The provisions available are:

• Primary AP Resource Base

o East Tilbury Primary School o Thameside Primary School • Olive Academy The local authority commissions places at a value of £10,000 per place, as required by Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2018 and provides a top-up based on average occupancy over a financial year.

27. Each year the local authority determines the level of contribution that mainstream schools and academies make towards the cost of providing short-term placements. Charges are set for each academic year. The charges that will apply in the 2019/20 academic year are set out in the tables below:

Table 1: Standard Rates – 2019/20 Academic Year

Basic Phase Year Group Entitlement + Day Rate IDACI Band C

KS1 Years R – 2 £3,137 £16.51 KS2 Years 3 – 6 £3,137 £16.51 KS3 Years 7 – 9 £4,423 £23.28 KS4 Year 10 – 11 £4,946 £26.03

Table 2: Rates including Pupil Premium – 2019/20 Academic Year

Basic Pupil Day Rate Phase Year Group Entitlement + Premium with PPG IDACI Band C (PPG) KS1 Years R – 2 £3,137 £1,320.00 £23.46 KS2 Years 3 – 6 £3,137 £1,320.00 £23.46 KS3 Years 7 – 9 £4,423 £935.00 £28.20 KS4 Year 10 – 11 £4,946 £935.00 £30.95 Those pupils that attract pupil premium will pay a higher rate to reflect the pupil premium received by the school as required by School and Early Years Finance Regulations.

Page 6 of 9

Top-Up Funding Rates 2019/20

28. Annex A in this document sets out the band values and top up rates for 2019/20. Top-up funding must follow the individual pupil and therefore funding adjustments will apply to all providers (maintained schools, academies, specialist and alternative provision and post 16 providers).

29. The authority will monitor the movement of all HNP including the incidence of new HNP’s (a pupil given a new Education, Health and Care Plan) and any changes to the existing funding bands as a result of annual reviews. Adjustments to individual pupil’s funding will be based on the calculation A x B/C where:

• A is the value of the top up provided for the pupil • B is the number of school days in the funding period the pupil attended the school / academy or provision • C is divided by the total number of school days in the funding period. For 2019/20 this will be 1964 days 30. Adjustments to individual establishments funding allocations will be made termly in arrears.

31. The guidance issued by the DfE states that local authorities should pay top-up funding on a per pupil / student basis as close as possible to the real time movement of the pupil. Top-up funding estimates are based on actual pupils and retrospective adjustments will recognise any movement in pupils. Therefore, the Local Authority is of the view that the system above meets the requirements of the guidance issued by the DfE.

Indicative Funding Statements 2019/20

32. Each maintained school, academy or early years setting will receive a statement that will calculate the estimated funding based on a snapshot taken at the end of February. The information provided on each statement is as follows:

Data /Funding Description Establishment Name of Establishment Termly Amounts The total funding estimated for each term Surname & Forename This is the name identifying each pupil Year Group The year group from N to Y14 or whatever the highest year group is for the establishment in question Top Up Hours Description of the number of hours approved through the EHCP for the individual pupil Annual delegated budget This is calculated budget paid over the 12 month period Hourly Rate This is the hourly day rate of £10 to be paid in 2019/20 Adjustment Funding to be This is calculated based on the following profile: paid termly Summer - 13weeks Autumn – 14 weeks Spring – 11 weeks Total Top Up Funding This is the total forecast funding for the funding period 2019/20 based on the data provided for each pupil.

4 The number of school days is the number of days in a financial year, which for 2019/20 is 196 days. Page 7 of 9

33. All mainstream, special schools, academies and early years providers will receive a statement setting out the indicative top-up allocation for high need pupils and commissioned places (where this applies) prior to the start of the financial year. This is based on the latest snapshot of pupils. For the purposes of this guidance the funding period for 2019/20 is the financial year April 19 to March 20.

34. The statement provided will take into account pupils that leave the school at the end of the summer term. Schools and academies will need to set up local arrangements to estimate the cost of any starters and leavers based on the information provided in this guidance.

Payment Arrangements

35. For all providers a payment schedule will be sent by 31 March each year, preceding the start of the new funding period, based on the indicative funding statement received on 28 February each year. The payment schedule for top-up funding will be spread across the 12 months of the financial year April 19 to March 20, based on the monthly profile for the indicative funding statement. This should reflect the funding for the pupils identified across each term.

36. Payment will be made by the 20th of each of month across the financial year. Adjustments to the funding allocation will be made termly in arrears once the adjustment is determined.

Contact Details

37. Schools and academies should check the information provided on the statement to ensure the correct funding is being received and that the pupil data is correct.

38. Specific queries related to missing or incorrect data or the funding calculations should be emailed to:

Angie Chester at: [email protected]

Queries related to the number of hours allocated for individual pupils should be emailed to [email protected] and the email copied to Angie Chester for information, so Finance are aware there is a query regarding the funding for a pupil.

Page 8 of 9

ANNEX A: 2019/20 FUNDING RATES

The top up rates for 2019/20 are as follows: Banding values for September 2019 were reviewed and agreed by Schools Forum in January 2019.

Current Type of Agreed Band Place Top Up Band Descriptor Band AWPU Total Provider Reduction Value Funding Funding Value Special - Treetops Band 1 £11,480 -£22.20 £11,458 £10,000 £0 £1,458 £11,458 Special Special - Treetops Band 2 £13,260 -£48.90 £13,211 £10,000 £0 £3,211 £13,211 Schools & Academies Special - Treetops Band 3 £28,590 -£278.85 £28,311 £10,000 £0 £18,311 £28,311 Special - Beacon Hill £28,820 -£282.30 £28,538 £10,000 £0 £18,538 £28,538

AP AP - Olive £30,895 -£3,895.00 £27,000 £10,000 £0 £17,000 £27,000

Mainstream - Primary Band 1 £15,000 -£75.00 £14,925 £6,000 £2,947 £5,978 £14,925 Mainstream Mainstream - Primary Band 2 £17,625 -£114.38 £17,511 £6,000 £2,947 £8,564 £17,511 Schools & Mainstream - Primary Band 3 £24,500 -£217.50 £24,283 £6,000 £2,947 £15,336 £24,283 Academies Mainstream - Primary - AP £25,000 £0.00 £25,000 £6,000 £2,947 £16,053 £25,000 with Specialist / Mainstream - Secondary Band 1 £15,000 -£75.00 £14,925 £6,000 £4,415 £4,511 £14,925 Resource Mainstream - Secondary Band 2 £17,625 -£114.38 £17,511 £6,000 £4,415 £7,096 £17,511 Provisions Mainstream - Secondary Band 3 £24,500 -£217.50 £24,283 £6,000 £4,415 £13,868 £24,283 Mainstream - Nursery £17,000 £0.00 £17,000 £0.00 £0 £17,000 £17,000

Page 9 of 9

Thurrock Proposed Commissioned Places 2019/20 Agenda Item 4. Appendix 2

Total Total Total Proposed Commissioned Places 2019/20 Pre-16 Places 16-18 Places Total 2018/19 2018/19 SEN Units and Institution Name Institution Type 2017/18 Total Total High ESFA Agreed AP Special Resourced Special Mainstream Actuals Pre-16 16-18 Need Places Places Places Places Provision Places Places Places Places Places Places LANSDOWNE PRIMARY ACADEMY ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 12 12 8 0 0 8 8 0 0 0 8 STANFORD-LE-HOPE PRIMARY SCHOOL ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 5 5 5 0 0 5 5 0 0 0 5 ORTU CORRINGHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 20 10 20 0 0 20 20 0 0 0 20 DILKES ACADEMY ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 10 10 10 0 0 10 10 0 0 0 10 HARRIS ACADEMY CHAFFORD HUNDRED ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 20 20 20 0 0 20 20 0 0 0 20 ST CLERE'S SCHOOL ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 17 17 17 0 0 17 17 0 0 0 17 ORMISTON PARK ACADEMY ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 20 20 20 0 0 20 20 0 0 0 20 EAST TILBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 0 0 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 6 THAMESIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL ACADEMY - MAINSTREAM 0 0 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 6 OLIVE AP ACADEMY - THURROCK ACADEMY - AP 75 124 75 74 0 0 74 0 0 0 74 TREETOPS SCHOOL ACADEMY - SPECIAL 289 278 304 0 250 0 250 43 0 43 293 BEACON HILL ACADEMY ACADEMY - SPECIAL 75 75 75 0 50 0 50 25 0 25 75 ACADEMY TOTAL 543 571 566 74 300 112 486 68 0 68 554 WARREN PRIMARY MAINTAINED - MAINSTREAM 18 14 18 0 0 18 18 0 0 0 18 CHAFFORD HUNDRED PRIMARY NURSERY 10 10 10 0 0 5 5 0 0 0 5 STANFORD-LE-HOPE SCHOOL NURSERY 3 3 3 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 THURROCK TOTAL 574 598 597 74 300 138 512 68 0 68 580 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 5 Schools Forum 17th January 2018

THURROCK SCHOOLS FORUM REPORT

DATE: 17th January 2019 Additional Targeted Support for High Need Pupils in SUBJECT: Mainstream Schools and Academies

REPORT OF: David May

THE REPORT IS: For Decision

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise Schools Forum members of the local authority’s proposal to implement an updated policy with regard to the targeting of additional support for High Need Pupils in mainstream schools and academies.

1.2 The criteria for allocating additional funding to schools should be transparent, fair, applicable to all maintained schools and academies and simple in its application.

1.3 Under the guidance issued by the EFA additional funds should only be targeted to a minority of schools which have particular difficulties because of the disproportionate number of high needs pupils.

1.4 The report provides clarity for the formula to be used in allocating additional funds.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 Schools’ Forum members are asked to consider and note the information provided in this report and to approve the: a) procedure and methodology for determining eligibility and allocating funding to eligible schools / academies for additional targeted support for high needs pupils set out in paragraph 5.6

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 5 Schools Forum 17th January 2018

3. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT 3.1 The purpose of this report is to advise Schools Forum members of the local authority’s proposal to implement an updated policy with regard to the targeting of additional support for High Need Pupils in mainstream schools and academies. For the purposes of the report we will refer to both schools and academies as settings.

3.2 The policy would apply only to those settings where;

a) they have unusually high numbers of pupils with SEN that cannot be adequately reflected in their formula funding, or;

b) there is a disproportionate number of pupils with a particular type of SEN, for example a school may have developed a reputation for meeting the needs of high achieving pupils with ASD where it is not possible to target additional funding to the schools through the factors identified within the notional SEN funding allocation.

3.3 In developing the notional SEN budget for schools, it was recognised that there could be a small number of schools where the criteria set out in paragraph 3.2a above would apply. It can been the case that individual schools develop a reputation for good practice in a particular area of SEND and this can lead to parents expressing a preference for a mainstream place in this school over their local school. This is particularly the case for schools with mainstream resource bases. To reduce any disparity in placement requests, the Local Authority will continue to promote an inclusive and equitable offer of support across all schools in the borough.

3.4 We are required to provide a description of the formula or criteria that will apply when allocating additional targeted support and it must be simple and transparent and devised in such a way that additional funds are only targeted to a minority of schools which have particular difficulties because of their disproportionate number of high needs pupils or their characteristics.

4. NOTIONAL SEN FUNDING 2018/19

4.1 The funding allocations for notional SEN are based on the characteristics of the pupils on roll at the school. Notional SEN calculation is based on a proportion of funding allocated via the basic entitlement (5%); AEN factors for FSM (100%); FSM6 (100%); Deprivation (100%) and Prior Attainment (100%),

4.2 The issue of affordability in terms of meeting the first £6,000 cost for a HNP with top up funding (element 2 costs) is therefore directly related to the level of notional SEN funding allocated via the formula as well as the number of pupils with a statement in the school.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 5 Schools Forum 17th January 2018

4.3 The notional SEN allocations for schools in 2018/19 and the number of High Needs Pupils attracting top up funding (pupils with a statement of SEN/ EHCP) were reviewed to establish the delegated cost of provision (notional £6,000 per pupil) as a proportion of each individual schools notional SEN allocation.

4.4 This analysis was carried out to determine the percentage of funding that a school would have to set aside from their notional SEN budget in order to meet the first £6,000 of those high need pupils in receipt of top up funding.

4.5 The total number of SEN pupils at October 2017, less those pupils in resource provisions based in mainstream schools was 527 pupils. This represents on average 2.01% of the NOR (less RP pupils). The highest percentage for a single primary school is 4.28% and for a secondary school is 3.88%. The table below shows the number of schools within the range of percentages from 0.61% to 4.28%:

Percentage No of Range Schools 0% - 0.99% 7 1% - 1.49% 11 1.5% - 1.99% 7 2% - 2.49% 12 2.5% - 2.99% 5 3% - 3.49% 4 3.5% - 3.99% 1 4% - 4.5% 3 TOTAL 50 Table 1: Number of HNP as a percentage of NOR

4.6 Of the 8 schools with the highest percentage of HNP we also looked at the level of notional SEN (NSEN) funding as a proportion of the total budget share.

4.7 We calculated for all schools and academies the amount of delegated funding required to meet the first £6,000 cost of a HNP and expressed this as a percentage of their notional SEN budget. Table 2 below shows the results for the 8 schools where the number of HNP represents more than 3% of the NOR;

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 5 Schools Forum 17th January 2018

Cost as NSEN Cost School % HNP % SBS % of Budget HNP NSEN A 4.28% £167,980 10.77% £108,000 64.29% B 4.19% £124,235 15.06% £48,000 38.64% C 4.11% £33,468 8.88% £18,000 53.78% D 3.28% £130,298 13.15% £48,000 36.84% E 3.03% £65,981 8.39% £36,000 54.56% F 3.37% £146,617 9.31% £84,000 57.29% G 3.08% £460,153 10.12% £174,000 37.81% H 3.88% £104,611 10.02% £30,000 28.68% Average 2.01% 13.87% 20.24% Table 2: Analysis of schools with highest percentage of HNP

4.8 The table above shows that it is possible for a setting with the higher percentage of SEN pupils to have a relatively low percentage of costs for those pupils as a proportion of their notional SEN funding.

4.9 The average percentage cost of HNP as a proportion of the schools notional SEN allocation across primary schools is 26% and 18% for secondary schools. Table 3 below shows the number of schools with the total delegated cost of HNP in receipt of top up funding as a proportion of the notional SEN budget:

No No of No of % Range Primary Secondary Schools

0% - 10% 6 4 10 11% - 20% 10 3 13 21% - 30% 11 3 14 31% - 40% 8 1 9 41% - 50% 0 0 51% - 60% 3 3 61% - 70% 1 1 Total 39 11 50 Table 3: Analysis of the percentage of HNP costs (£6,000 x no of HNP) as a proportion of the notional SEN budget.

4.10 From the table above it shows that in Thurrock 37 out of 50 schools required a contribution of 30% or less of their notional SEN budget in order to finance the first £6,000 of a HNP attracting top up funding.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 5 Schools Forum 17th January 2018

4.11 A further 9 schools would have costs of between 31% and 40% of their notional SEN budget to fund the HNP receiving top up funding. This leaves a minority of schools (4) with a significant proportion of their notional SEN funding being required to finance the cost of their HNP. All of those schools were primary and included in the group of schools analysed in paragraph 4.6 above.

Cost as NSEN Cost School % HNP % SBS % of Budget HNP NSEN A 4.28% £167,980 10.77% £108,000 64.29% C 4.11% £33,468 8.88% £18,000 53.78% E 3.03% £65,981 8.39% £36,000 54.56% F 3.37% £146,617 9.31% £84,000 57.29% Average 2.01% 13.87% 20.24% Table 4: Analysis of Schools included in both table 3 and 4 above.

4.12 The characteristics of the additional educational need data for those schools in the higher percentage range are that;

a) they attract a low level of funding per pupil for notional SEN and well below the average of £582 per pupil

b) the percentage of pupils identified for each of the factors used to determine AEN and notional SEN funding is low in comparison to other schools

5. CRITERIA & PROCEDURES FOR EXCEPTIONAL FUNDING ALLOCATIONS

5.1 The criteria for allocating additional funding to schools should be transparent, fair, applicable to all maintained schools and academies and simple in its application.

5.2 From the analysis carried out in section 4 above it is clear that it is the level of funding that a school / academy has in their notional SEN budget will determine the level of additional funding they have available to provide the first £6,000 for a HNP without impacting negatively on the rest of the school population.

5.3 Under the guidance issued by the EFA additional funds should only be targeted to a minority of schools which have particular difficulties because of the disproportionate number of high needs pupils.

5.4 In setting the criteria therefore the outcome should be that funding applies to a minority of schools and that funding allocated should reflect the costs of the element 2 HNP costs that cannot easily be met from the notional SEN budget.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 5 Schools Forum 17th January 2018

5.5 The recommended criteria for allocating funding each year are;

a) Funding is allocated to schools where the cost of element 2 for HNP (£6,000 x No of HNP) as a proportion of the schools Notional SEN Funding is greater than 50%.

b) The school will receive 75% of the cost of element 2 for those HNP on roll over Borough average, ensuring that they make a 25% contribution to the cost of the HNP

c) Funding is calculated termly and takes into account any change in the number of HNP each term

d) Funding would be provided from the high needs block each year as an additional top up only for those schools that meet the criteria. Funding would not be earmarked in the same way that funding delegated via the formula is not earmarked to specific pupils, however the school will be required to demonstrate that they are able to meet the needs of all HNP within the school.

e) Individual pupils top ups would still apply for those HNP on roll in the school or academy.

5.6 The procedure and methodology for determining eligibility and allocating funding to eligible schools / academies would be as follows;

a) All schools and academy budget allocations will be tested to determine eligibility for funding on a termly basis. b) Eligibility will be determined using the number of HNP (attracting element 2 top up funding but excluding pupils in resource provisions) as at the termly census date. c) The test on eligibility will be based on the calculation (A x B)/C = D where; A = No of HNP (e.g. 4 HNP) B = £6,000 (e.g. = £24,000) C = Notional SEN Budget Share published in Formula Allocation (e.g. = £37,000) D = HNP costs as a proportion of the total NSEN Budget Share (50%) rounded to the nearest 1%. d) Eligible schools and academies will be notified of the indicative funding allocation by 31st March each year. Eligibility for funding would be established each term based on the actual number of HNP on roll.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 5 Schools Forum 17th January 2018

e) Funding allocated would be based on the calculation (AxBxC)/DxE) where; A = HNP above the Borough average B = 6,000 C= 0.75 D = Number of school days in the financial year E = Number of schools days in the term

6. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 2018/19

6.1 Using the data available with regard to HNP and the notional SEN allocations for 2018/19 and applying the criteria set out in paragraph 5.5 four schools would have been eligible for funding.

6.2 The total cost required to pay for additional targeted support for high needs pupils in mainstream schools for 2018/19 is £184,500. It is proposed that funding is made available to those schools identified in the current year on the basis set out in section 5. This would be funded from the high needs block.

7. REFERENCES TO OTHER KEY DOCUMENTS / PREVIOUS REPORTS

8. CONTACT DETAILS OF LEAD OFFICER / AUTHOR

If you have any queries or comments in advance of the Schools Forum meeting about this report, please contact

NAME: David May

ROLE: Management Accountant DSG and Schools E-MAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 01375 652092

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 6 Schools Forum 17th January 2019

THURROCK SCHOOLS FORUM REPORT

DATE: 17th January 2019

SUBJECT: School Expansion Process and Principles

REPORT OF: Sarah Williams

THE REPORT IS: For Information

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report seeks for the Schools Forum to review and agree to the process and principles for expanding Thurrock schools upon an annual review of school places. Thurrock Council recognises its statutory duty to provide school places within the borough. Thurrock Council is committed to working in partnership with schools and academies to ensure it meets its statutory duty and in line with the authority’s strategic vision.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 For schools forum to agree to the process and principles in relation to school expansion across all schools as defined within the main body of the report, which has been updated following feedback. 2.2 To allow a more strategic, wider discussion and engagement around pupil place planning (PPP), it is recommended that the PPP sub group ceases with immediate effect as all reporting and updating will be presented on a termly basis to both Schools Forum and Head Teachers Briefing.

3.0 MAIN BODY OF REPORT

3.1 Each year there is a review of school places across Thurrock. The review should begin upon the release of the draft Pupil Place Plan and should follow the process and principles as set out below: Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 6 Schools Forum 17th January 2019

Process for expansion • Review of the Pupil Place Plan • Identify capacity requirements within each planning area • Review the expansion principles to identify which schools can/cannot be expanded • Meetings with Headteachers/Principals and Trust CEO to discuss the need for additional pupil places to seek their agreement to expand/take bulge classes if necessary • Undertake a feasibility study on the school(s) to understand whether there is capacity within the school site to expand • Present options to Schools Forum for information

Principles taken into consideration when looking to expand a school Below are the factors the Council will take into account when arriving at a decision to expand an existing school. These are:

• Quality of Education – Ofsted Rating – Good or Outstanding • Distance from home to school • Sponsor track record • Cost – Value for Money • Section 106 Funding or CIL levy • School capacity • Thurrock aspirations for excellence and development • Leadership • Highways/transport/planning concerns • Site issues • Current bulge years • Number of existing temporary classrooms (demountable’s onsite) • The impact on neighbouring schools be considered

4.0 CONTACT DETAILS OF LEAD OFFICER / AUTHOR

NAME: Sarah Williams

ROLE: Education Specialist Service Manager

E-MAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 01375 652971 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 7. Schools Forum 17th January 2019

THURROCK SCHOOLS FORUM REPORT

DATE: 17th January 2019

SUBJECT: Dedicated Schools Grant 2019/20

REPORT OF: David May

THE REPORT IS: For Information

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 On 17 December, the Secretary of State for Education announced details of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations for 2019/20.

1.2 The key announcements are: • Planned updates and funding allocations, announced in July, to the formula in 2019/20 will be implemented. This brings an additional £0.895m to the Schools Block and £0.624m to the High Needs Block in Thurrock. • Additional funding of £3.146m in the Schools Block to reflect an additional 621 pupils now being educated in Thurrock schools when compared to October 2017 census. • The High Needs Block of the DSG has been increased by £125m in both 2018/19 and 2019/20 to provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This brings an additional £0.452m to Thurrock in both 2018/19 and 2019/20.

1.3 Cabinet at its meeting on the 12th December approved changes to the local funding formula. This paper provides an update to the formula to be submitted to the ESFA by 21st January and the individual school and academy funding allocations for 2019/20.

1.4 The final formula and the detailed school funding allocations to be implemented in 2019/20 will be distributed at the meeting.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 The Schools Forum is recommended to consider the updated information prior to the submission of the Local Funding Formula proforma to the ESFA by the 21st January.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 7. Schools Forum 17th January 2019

3. DEDICATED SCHOOLS GRANT 2019/20 3.1 On 17 December, the Secretary of State for Education announced details of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations for 2019/20. The DSG will continue to have 4 blocks:

• the schools block is allocated on the basis of the schools block units of funding and actual costs for premises, growth and mobility announced in July 2018 • the central school services block is allocated on the per-pupil rates and historic commitments announced in July 2018 • the high needs block is based on the national funding formula announced in July 2018, with an additional £125 million allocated on the basis of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) projections for 2 and 18 year old population in each local authority • the early years block is allocated using the funding rates and calculations announced in November 2018.

Additional High Needs funding for 2018/19 and 2019/20

3.2 The High Needs Block of the DSG has been increased by £125m in both 2018/19 and 2019/20 to provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The growth in SEN is now recognised and it is hoped this investment is the start of providing sufficient resource to manage the increase demand for services.

3.3 In addition, extra capital funding of £100m in 2019/20 has been announced to increase capacity locally for pupils in mainstream and special schools, and for young people aged 16 and above. This additional funding will give more children access to a good school or college place that meets their individual needs. This could also pay for more state of the art facilities, such as sensory rooms and specialist equipment.

Funding Settlement 2019/20

3.4 The tables below show the funding to be received in 2019/20. The two main reasons for the change are increase in pupil numbers from October 2017 to October 2018 and the additional SEND investment funding in 2019/20:

Funding Settlement - December 2018 2019/20 2018/19 Increase £m £m £m Early Years 11.570 11.568 0.002 Schools 119.434 115.973 3.461 High Needs 23.268 22.141 1.127 Central Services 2.073 2.038 0.035 Total £156.345 £151.721 £4.624

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 7. Schools Forum 17th January 2019

3.5 Early Years Block The early years block comprises funding for the free early education entitlements for 3 and 4-year-olds and disadvantaged 2-year-olds. The figures are initial allocations as early years funding is based on the January census data.

3.6 Schools Block An additional 621 pupils are now being educated in Thurrock schools when compared to the October 2017 census. These additional pupils attract a guaranteed unit of funding (GUF) and an overall increase in funding of £3.146m.

Change in pupil numbers and additional funding to be received: 2019/20 2018/19 Increase GUF Increase Pupil Nos. Pupil Nos. Pupil Nos. £ £m Primary 17,035 16,962 73 £3,869 0.282 Secondary 9,748 9,200 548 £5,226 2.864 Total 26,783 26,162 621 3.146

In addition to the change in pupil numbers, planned increase in funding of £0.895m was expected to reflect the increase in funding values within the national funding formula for 2019/20. This will be used to support schools through an improved Minimum funding guarantee protection.

Schools Block Funding Change £m Pupil Numbers 3.146 Increase in funding 0.895 Decrease in Growth fund (0.580) 3.461

The decrease in growth funding reflects the movement to the new formula for the growth fund. The funding is line with what was expected.

3.7 High Needs Block The additional funding both planned and new is the key areas of change. This additional funding is welcome and will be considered as part of the High Needs review to contain expenditure within the funding available.

£m Planned change in funding 0.624 Additional allocation 0.452 Change in Pupil Numbers 0.051 1.127

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 7. Schools Forum 17th January 2019

3.8 Additional Grants The following arrangements for Education services grant, pupil premium and other school premiums in 2019/20 have been announced:

3.9 Education Services grant (ESG) protections will continue in 2019/20 at their current rates, to protect academies from excessive changes in funding as a result of the ending of the ESG.

3.10 Pupil premium rates will continue at the current per pupil rates for 2019/20: • Ever 6 Free School Meals (Primary £1,320; Secondary £935) The pupil premium for 2019/20 will include pupils recorded in the Jan-19 school census who are known to have been eligible for FSM since May-13, as well as those first known to be eligible at Jan-19. • Children adopted from care or who have left care (£2,300) The pupil premium for 2019/20 will include pupils recorded in the Jan-19 school census and alternative provision census • Looked-after children (LAC) (£2,300) Number of children looked after for at least one day during the year ending Mar-19, as recorded in the Mar-19 children looked-after data return (SSDA903 • Ever 6 service child (£300) Pupil recorded in the Jan-19 school census who was eligible for the service child premium since the Jan-14 census as well as those recorded as a service child for the first time on the Jan-19 school census

3.11 Teacher 2018 pay grant will continue in academic year 2019/20.

3.12 Universal infant free schools meals (UIFSM) grant will continue at a meal rate of £2.30 for the 2019/20 academic year. (*)

3.13 Free School meals supplementary grant will continue in 2019/20.

3.14 Year 7 catch up premium continues in financial year 2019/20. (*)

3.15 The school improvement monitoring and brokering grant continues in financial year 2019/20. In April 2019, the ESFA will pay the remaining £20million for academic year 2018/19. The level of funding to be received from September 2019 to the end of the financial year will be confirmed in 2019.

3.16 The local authority grant for extended rights to home to school transport will continue in 2019/20. (*)

3.17 Key Stage 2 moderation and key stage 1 phonics will continue in 2019/20, and will be paid in August 2019.

(*) Further details will be released by ESFA in 2019.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 7. Schools Forum 17th January 2019

4. THURROCK SCHOOLS FUNDING FORMULA

4.1 In considering the local formula for schools in 2019/20 and 2020/21, officers engaged with Thurrock’s Schools Forum and held consultation sessions with schools and academies during October 2018.

4.2 Thurrock Cabinet at its meeting on 12 December approved the following changes to the local funding formula. The changes take the Schools Forum comments, made at the meeting held on the 15 November, into consideration:

• National funding formula, with the exception of Free School Meals, to be implemented in 2019/20; • Any unallocated funds once the funding formula has been implemented will be used to reduce the Minimum Funding Guarantee to the lowest possible figure to afford more protection to schools. • A revised calculation for Notional Special Educational Needs to be implemented consistent with the new funding formula. • The National funding formula to be implemented in full from 2020/21.

4.3 The funding formula has been updated to reflect change in pupil numbers and funding allocations and the finalisation of 2019/20 rateable values.

4.4 The transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block in 2019/20 of £1.843m has been actioned and is equal to the sum transferred in 2018/19 that was approved by the Department for Education. The High Needs future strategy is to align expenditure with resources available and reduce the transfer required in future years from the schools block to 0.5% (£0.600m). Thus increasing the sum to be distributed through the schools funding formula.

4.5 The final formula and the detailed school funding allocations to be implemented in 2019/20 and submitted to the ESFA by 21st January will be distributed at the meeting.

4.6 Schools will need to consider careful the change in pupil numbers and funding to be received. The key principle with the schools funding system is that the funding follows the child, with no protection afforded to reduction in pupil numbers.

4.7 School briefing sessions are scheduled for January 24 to inform schools and academies of their provisional funding allocation. An update will also be made at the Headteachers briefing on January 31.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 7. Schools Forum 17th January 2019

5. CENTRAL SCHOOLS SERVICES BLOCK 5.1 The Central Schools Services Block (CSSB) provides funding for Local Authorities to carry out central functions on behalf of pupils in state- funded maintained schools and academies in England. This replaced the Education Service Grant and Dedicated Schools Grant retained funding streams. Local Authorities CSSB is split into funding for historic commitments and funding for ongoing responsibilities. In 2019-20, Local Authorities will continue to receive funding for historic commitments based on the baseline exercise whose results were published in August 2017. Funding to LAs for ongoing responsibilities will be allocated according to the CSSB formula.

5.2 The School Funding announcement on the 17th December 2018 provided the following detail for the CSSB:

Central School Services Block Funding £m Actual CSSB unit of funding for ongoing functions Pupil Numbers 26,783 Unit Value £29.68 0.795 Actual funding for historic commitments 1.278 NFF 2019-20 CSSB funding 2.073

5.3 The table below shows how the funding allocated is used to support the Education functions of the Local Authority. This is expenditure that has always been incurred by the Local Authority with only the funding stream having changed over recent years.

Central Schools Services Block 2019/20 - Ongoing Functions Budget £ Statutory and Regulatory Duties - Education 310,000 Including: Director of children’s services; Planning for the education service as a whole; Function in relation to the exclusion of pupils from schools; School Attendance; Excluded Pupils; Responsibilities regarding the employment of children Statutory and Regulatory Duties - Finance 150,000 Including: Revenue budget preparation, information and external audit relating to education; Formulation and review of local authority schools funding formula; Administration of grants; Task related to LA Section 151 responsibilities under LGA 1972 Management of LA’s Capital programme incl. Pupil Place Planning 55,000 School Admissions 240,000 Servicing of Schools forum 25,000 Standing Advisory Committees for Religious Education (SACREs) 15,000 795,000

5.4 Funding for historic commitments will be allocated at the same level as in 2018/19. ESFA expectation remains that expenditure from DSG will reduce over time as contracts and other commitments reach their end points and they will continue to monitor this expenditure year-on-year.

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 7. Schools Forum 17th January 2019

5.5 From 2020/21, ESFA expect to start to reduce the historic commitments element of the CSSB where local authorities’ expenditure has not reduced. The ESFA do not believe it is fair to indefinitely maintain significant differences in funding between local authorities which reflect historic decisions.

5.6 Current regulations require local authorities to spend no more on historic commitments than they did in the previous year and require such expenditure to have the approval of the schools forum.

5.7 Therefore for Thurrock moving forward there is a risk that the historic commitments element (£1.278m) will not be available to support Children’s services budget. The historic approved expenditure is broken down into two categories: Contribution to combined budgets and premature retirement costs as shown below:

CSSB 2019/20 - Historic Commitments Budget £ Children's Services Directorate 510,000 Virtual School 300,000 Contribution to Combined budgets 810,000 Premature Retirement Costs 468,000 1,278,000

6. HIGH NEEDS BLOCK AND DSG DEFICIT

6.1 A separate report is included in the agenda that discusses in detail the High Needs Block historic position, funding allocation, budget allocation for 2019/20 and the DSG deficit.

7. REFERENCES TO OTHER KEY DOCUMENTS / PREVIOUS REPORTS • School Forum meeting 15th November 2018 – Schools Block – Schools Funding Formula 2019/20 • Thurrock Cabinet Report 12th December 2018 – Schools Funding Formula 2019/20

8. CONTACT DETAILS OF LEAD OFFICER / AUTHOR

If you have any queries or comments in advance of the Schools Forum meeting about this report, please contact

Name: David May Role: Management Accountant DSG and Schools E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 01375 652092

Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 07. Appendix A Schools Forum 17th January 2017

Local Authority Funding Reform Proforma LA Name: Thurrock LA Number: 883 Total DSG schools block allocation £119,434,225.00 Total Funding For Schools Block Formula as a percentage of DSG schools block allocation 98.46% Total funding allocated to schools as a percentage of DSG schools block allocation 96.99% Total funding allocated to growth and falling rolls as a percentage of DSG schools block allocation 1.46%

Premises costs to exclude from allocation when calculating the minimum funding level - Rates Yes Primary minimum per pupil funding level £3,500.00 Secondary (KS3 and KS4) minimum per pupil funding level £4,800.00

Pupil Led Factors Reception uplift No Pupil Units 0.00

1) Basic Proportion of Entitlement Description Amount per pupil Pupil Units Sub Total Total total pre MFG Notional SEN (%) Age Weighted funding (%) Pupil Unit (AWPU) Primary (Years R-6) £2,747.00 17,142.00 £47,089,074 41.31% 2.50% Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) £3,863.00 6,275.00 £24,240,325 £87,180,403 21.26% 2.50% Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) £4,386.00 3,614.00 £15,851,004 13.90% 2.50%

Primary Eligible Proportion of Primary Secondary Secondary amount Eligible proportion of Description amount per proportion of Sub Total Total total pre MFG Notional Notional SEN per pupil primary NOR pupil secondary NOR funding (%) SEN (%) (%) 3) LAC LAC X March 17 £0.00 128.24 £0 0.00% 0.00% 4) English as EAL 3 Primary £515.00 2,097.14 £1,080,026 0.00% 1.23% an Additional EAL 3 Secondary £1,385.00 235.08 £325,592 £1,405,618 0.00% Pupils starting school outside of normal entry 5) Mobility £0.00 £0.00 300.46 27.70 £0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% dates Eligible Amount per pupil proportion of Proportion of Primary Secondary (primary or Percentage of eligible Description Weighting primary and Sub Total Total total pre MFG Notional Notional SEN secondary pupils secondary NOR funding (%) SEN (%) (%) respectively) respectively Primary Low Attainment £1,022.00 29.96% 5,135.51 £5,248,492 100.00% Secondary low attainment (year 7) 63.59% 22.62% 6) Prior Secondary low attainment (year 8) 58.05% 22.29% £8,649,626 7.59% attainment £1,550.00 2,194.28 £3,401,134 100.00% Secondary low attainment (year 9) 48.02% 23.23% Secondary low attainment (years 10 to 11) 21.27% Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 07. Appendix A Schools Forum 17th January 2017

Other Factors

Proportion of Lump Sum per Lump Sum per Lump Sum per Lump Sum per All- Factor Total (£) total pre MFG Notional SEN (%) Primary School (£) Secondary School (£) Middle School (£) through School (£) funding (%) 7) Lump Sum £110,000.00 £110,000.00 £5,500,000 4.82% 0.00% 0.00% 8) Sparsity factor £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 9) Fringe Payments £0 0.00% 10) Split Sites £0 0.00% 0.00% 11) Rates £762,119 0.67% 0.00% 12) PFI funding £0 0.00% 0.00% 13 ) Exceptional circumstances (can only be used with prior agreement of ESFA) Total Funding for Schools Block Formula (excluding minimum per pupil funding level, funding floor protection and MFG Funding Total) £113,004,378 99.13%

14) Additional funding to meet minimum per pupil funding level £990,620 0.87% 100.00% Total Funding for Schools Block Formula (excluding funding floor protection and MFG Funding Total) £113,994,998 100.00%

15) Funding floor protection (select Yes if applying this protection) No £0 0.00% Total Funding for Schools Block Formula (excluding MFG Funding Total) £113,994,998

16) Minimum Funding Guarantee -0.60% £1,928,087 Apply capping and scaling factors? (gains may be capped above a specific ceiling and/or scaled) Yes Apply alternative gains cap for schools gaining more than 15%? No Capping Factor 3.00% Scaling Factor (%) 100.00% (%) Total deduction if capping and scaling factors are applied -£80,145 Proportion of Total (£) Total Notional SEN (%) funding(%) MFG Net Total Funding (MFG + deduction from capping and £1,847,942 1.57% 0.00% Total Funding for Schools Block Formula £115,842,940 £17,394,727 High Needs threshold (only fill in if, exceptionally, a high needs threshold different from £6,000 has been approved) £0.00 Additional funding from the high needs budget £0.00 Growth fund (if applicable) £1,748,285.00 Falling rolls fund (if applicable) £0.00 Other Adjustment to 18-19 Budget Shares £0 Total Funding For Schools Block Formula (including growth and falling rolls funding) £117,591,225 % Distributed through Basic Entitlement 76.48% % Pupil Led Funding 93.64% Primary: Secondary Ratio 1 : 1.37 Total funding for schools block formula contains funding from outside of the 2019-20 Schools Block allocation? No Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 07. Appendix B Schools Forum 17th January 2019

Indicative Indicative 2019/20 Allocation Funding Change in Funding change Schools Block Minimum Capping / MFG Total Thurrock Thurrock Thurrock Thurrock Difference Allocation - Pupil 2019/20 to Funding (Excl Per Pupil Scaling (Excl Rates) Consultation 2018/19 2018/19 2019/20 from NFF 2019/20 Numbers 2018/19 Rates) Option C 2019/20 with no FSM (Exc Rates) 18-19 Post 19-20 Post Pupil Pupil Pupil LAESTAB Phase School Name MFG Budget MFG Budget £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Numbers Numbers Numbers (Exc Rates) (Exc Rates) A B C D C - A D - B E D - E 26,352 111,816,810 27,031 115,080,821 679 3,264,012 112,242,259 990,620 (80,145) 1,928,087 115,080,821 111,825,972 3,254,850 8833822 Primary Abbots Hall Primary School 222 893,187 230 916,582 8 23,395 858,645 0 0 57,937 916,582 888,723 27,859 8832439 Primary Arthur Bugler Primary School 421 1,554,822 408 1,501,876 (13) (52,946) 1,401,622 26,378 0 73,876 1,501,876 1,546,587 (44,710) 8832382 Primary Aveley Primary School 439 1,715,128 437 1,698,309 (2) (16,820) 1,653,428 0 0 44,881 1,698,309 1,705,979 (7,670) 8832542 Primary Belmont Castle Academy 683 2,515,774 658 2,413,924 (25) (101,849) 2,384,278 0 0 29,646 2,413,924 2,502,061 (88,137) 8832003 Primary Benyon Primary School 191 821,710 203 861,924 12 40,214 839,984 0 0 21,940 861,924 817,653 44,271 8832722 Primary Bonnygate Primary School 413 1,629,382 416 1,631,313 3 1,931 1,576,304 0 0 55,009 1,631,313 1,620,722 10,591 8832013 Primary Bulphan Church of England Primary School 73 377,268 80 401,153 7 23,886 367,382 0 0 33,771 401,153 375,744 25,409 8832011 Primary Chadwell St Mary Primary School 206 966,175 210 977,607 4 11,432 875,994 0 0 101,612 977,607 961,295 16,312 8832006 Primary Corringham Primary School 412 1,524,041 420 1,542,922 8 18,880 1,422,243 47,757 0 72,922 1,542,922 1,515,981 26,940 8832462 Primary Deneholm Primary School 408 1,513,999 410 1,512,487 2 (1,512) 1,430,818 4,182 0 77,487 1,512,487 1,505,996 6,490 8832622 Primary Dilkes Academy 421 1,576,703 419 1,561,050 (2) (15,653) 1,504,598 0 0 56,452 1,561,050 1,568,343 (7,293) 8832824 Primary East Tilbury Primary School and Nursery 677 2,563,650 643 2,426,558 (34) (137,092) 2,307,029 0 0 119,529 2,426,558 2,549,664 (123,106) 8832942 Primary Giffards Primary School 437 1,640,540 444 1,655,804 7 15,264 1,582,498 0 0 73,306 1,655,804 1,631,816 23,988 8832137 Primary Graham James Primary Academy 411 1,541,301 419 1,560,479 8 19,178 1,499,717 0 0 60,762 1,560,479 1,533,142 27,336 8832987 Primary Harris Primary Academy Chafford Hundred 618 2,164,840 618 2,163,000 0 (1,840) 2,005,129 157,871 0 0 2,163,000 2,153,127 9,873 8832008 Primary Harris Primary Academy Mayflower 548 2,016,621 645 2,340,381 97 323,761 2,202,878 52,872 0 84,631 2,340,381 2,005,753 334,628 8832644 Primary Herringham Primary Academy 415 1,667,183 411 1,642,998 (4) (24,185) 1,590,873 0 0 52,125 1,642,998 1,658,307 (15,309) 8833605 Primary Holy Cross Catholic Primary School 244 986,627 233 942,126 (11) (44,501) 921,368 0 0 20,758 942,126 981,631 (39,504) 8835281 Primary Horndon-On-the-Hill CofE Primary School 198 784,436 198 780,423 0 (4,013) 736,796 0 0 43,627 780,423 780,592 (169) 8835266 Primary Kenningtons Primary Academy 449 1,697,665 422 1,593,315 (27) (104,351) 1,550,747 0 0 42,568 1,593,315 1,688,616 (95,301) 8832000 Primary Lansdowne Primary Academy 613 2,509,368 585 2,386,148 (28) (123,220) 2,340,884 0 0 45,264 2,386,148 2,495,692 (109,544) 8832402 Primary Little Thurrock Primary School 623 2,218,059 630 2,229,061 7 11,002 2,170,317 34,683 0 24,061 2,229,061 2,206,043 23,018 8833502 Primary Orsett Church of England Primary School 210 816,688 207 802,447 (3) (14,240) 754,792 0 0 47,655 802,447 812,659 (10,212) 8832002 Primary Purfleet Primary Academy 519 2,044,058 566 2,204,802 47 160,744 2,139,456 0 0 65,346 2,204,802 2,033,034 171,768 8832005 Primary Quarry Hill Academy 493 1,879,126 469 1,782,988 (24) (96,138) 1,779,624 0 0 3,365 1,782,988 1,884,967 (101,979) 8832985 Primary Shaw Primary Academy 410 1,640,429 406 1,616,481 (4) (23,948) 1,563,838 0 0 52,642 1,616,481 1,631,705 (15,225) 8832429 Primary Somers Heath Primary School 340 1,379,683 382 1,528,039 42 148,355 1,468,501 0 0 59,537 1,528,039 1,372,446 155,593 8833512 Primary St Joseph's Catholic Primary School 248 985,014 239 948,243 (9) (36,772) 894,535 0 0 53,708 948,243 980,027 (31,784) 8833522 Primary St Mary's Catholic Primary School 220 909,342 215 903,881 (5) (5,461) 903,881 0 0 0 903,881 925,234 (21,353) 8833603 Primary St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School 624 2,218,872 612 2,166,010 (12) (52,862) 2,133,986 8,014 0 24,010 2,166,010 2,206,851 (40,841) 8832004 Primary Stanford-Le-Hope Primary School 390 1,511,571 401 1,542,528 11 30,957 1,465,625 0 0 76,903 1,542,528 1,503,582 38,946 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item 07. Appendix B Schools Forum 17th January 2019

8835439 Secondary Gable Hall School 1,304 6,307,361 1,300 6,254,844 (4) (52,518) 6,254,844 0 0 0 6,254,844 6,272,036 (17,193) 8834733 Secondary Grays Convent High School 580 2,949,699 617 3,112,878 37 163,179 3,110,929 0 0 1,949 3,112,878 2,943,120 169,758 8834394 Secondary Harris Academy Chafford Hundred 943 4,513,373 946 4,540,800 3 27,427 4,349,683 191,117 0 0 4,540,800 4,491,881 48,919 8834002 Secondary Harris Academy Riverside 199 1,039,024 358 1,774,497 159 735,472 1,774,497 0 0 0 1,774,497 1,033,729 740,768 8834001 Secondary Hassenbrook Academy 485 2,591,522 484 2,624,885 (1) 33,363 2,624,885 0 0 0 2,624,885 2,642,464 (17,579) 8836906 Secondary Ormiston Park Academy 538 2,985,603 617 3,388,235 79 402,632 3,318,278 0 0 69,958 3,388,235 2,969,212 419,023 8835440 Secondary St Clere's School 1,133 5,584,935 1,315 6,424,193 182 839,258 6,415,985 0 0 8,208 6,424,193 5,553,728 870,465 8836905 Secondary The Gateway Academy 1,025 5,432,616 1,027 5,602,992 2 170,376 5,672,676 0 (69,685) 0 5,602,992 5,592,295 10,697 8834000 Secondary The Hathaway Academy 753 3,921,080 826 4,356,280 73 435,201 4,356,280 0 0 0 4,356,280 3,983,313 372,967 8834299 Secondary The Ockendon Academy 1,110 5,647,398 1,146 5,837,346 36 189,949 5,837,346 0 0 0 5,837,346 5,681,107 156,239 8835438 Secondary William Edwards School 1,201 5,782,619 1,254 6,019,200 53 236,581 5,832,321 186,879 0 0 6,019,200 5,750,285 268,915 9,271 46,755,231 9,889 49,936,151 618 3,180,920 49,547,724 377,996 (69,685) 80,116 49,936,151 46,913,170 3,022,980 Thurrock Borough Council Agenda Item No: 8 Schools Forum 17th January 2019

THURROCK SCHOOLS FORUM REPORT

DATE: 17th January 2019

SUBJECT: Agenda Priorities

REPORT OF: Sarah Williams

THE REPORT IS: For Information

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report outlines the items that are scheduled for the next meeting on 14th March 2019, based on the agreed forward plan.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS To confirm any required additions or deletions from the proposed agenda items for the next meeting.

3.0 MAIN BODY OF REPORT 3.1 The proposed items for the meeting on 14th March 2019 are as follows:-.

• Academies and Free Schools Update • DSG Budget Position 2018-19 • Thurrock Code of Practice for delivery of early education for 2, 3&4 year olds • School Capital Planning Update • Early Years Funding Review

4.0 CONTACT DETAILS OF LEAD OFFICER / AUTHOR

NAME: Sarah Williams

ROLE: Education Specialist Service Manager

E-MAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 01375 652971 Thurrock School Forum Forward Plan for 2018 - 2019 Date of Meeting Agenda Item / Focus Academies and Free Schools Update - Standing DSG 2019-20 - Standing School Funding 2019-20 13 September 2018 DSG Budget Position 2018-19 4-6pm DSG Review – Schools Funding Formula Room 5 Thurrock Adult Election of Chair and Vice Chair – Discuss if all members happy to Community College continue - Standing DSG Review – Outcome of review of High Needs, Early Years and Central Services Block High Needs Block Commissioning Intentions School Funding Formula & High Needs Academies and Free Schools Update - Standing 15 November 2018 DSG Review – High Needs Report with regard to 1.5% reduction 09.30-11.30am School Meal Costs - Standing Community Hall The Beehive Childcare Sufficiency - Standing Grays DSG Budget Position 2018-19 Process for School Expansion Funding Process – Bulge Classes Mental Health and Wellbeing Service in Schools Update on Alternative Provision DSG Funding allocation 2019-20 17 January 2019 9-11am School Budgets 2019-20 Room 10 Growth Funding Update Thurrock Adult Early Years Funding Formula 2019-20 Community College High Need Funding 2019-20

Process for School Expansion Academies and Free Schools Update - Standing 14 March 2019 DSG Budget Position 2018-19 4-6pm Thurrock Code of Practice for delivery of early education for 2, 3&4 Room 5 year olds - Standing Thurrock Adult School Capital Planning Update Community College Early Years Funding Review - Standing

Academies and Free Schools Update - Standing DfE Consultations - Standing DfE Benchmarking Data

27 June 2019 Council’s Budget Position 9-11am DSG Outturn Room 10 Union Facility Time Annual Review - Standing Thurrock Adult Community College Schools Forum Membership 2019-20 Update Transport Review Terms of Reference Review - Standing Review of Forward Plan 2019-20

Agenda Item No. 10 17th January 2019

Schools Forum Minutes of the held on 15th November 2018 @ 9.30am Community Hall, The Beehive, West Street, Grays, RM17 6XP

In Attendance:

Primary Academies Headteacher – Kenningtons Mrs J Sawtell-Haynes Headteacher - Abbots Hall Primary Academy Mrs L James Headteacher – Giffards Academy Ms N Haslam-Davis Principal – Woodside Academy Mr E Caines – Vice Chair Executive Director – Catalyst Mr T Parfett Academies Trust Executive Headteacher – Mrs L Coates East Tilbury Primary School

Primary Maintained Schools Headteacher – Aveley Primary Miss N Shadbolt Governor Mrs H Gentry

Secondary Academies CEO – Osborne Co-operative Academy Mr P Griffiths – Chair Trust Principal – Harris Academy Chafford Hundred Mrs N Graham Governor Mr S Sweeting CEO – ORTU Federation Ltd Dr S Asong

Secondary Maintained Schools Headteacher – Grays Convent Mrs P Johnson

Special Maintained Schools Headteacher – Treetops School Mr P Smith

Special Academy Headteacher – Beacon Hill Ms S Hewitt

Olive AP Academy Executive Headteacher Mrs E Hinds

Non School Members 0-11 Representative Ms A Jones Diocese of Brentwood Mrs. M. Shepherd Diocese of Chelmsford Miss S Jones 11-19 Representative Mr J Revill

Also in Attendance: Mr R Patterson - Corporate Director – Children’s Services

Page 1 of 7 Agenda Item No. 10 17th January 2019

Mr M Taylor - Strategic Lead for Inclusion Ms S Williams - Education Specialist Service Manager Mr D May - Management Accountant - DSG and Schools Ms A Winstone - School Improvement Manager Ms E Umeh - Public Health Programme Manager Transformation Ms S Buck - Minute taker

Page 2 of 7 Agenda Item No. 10 17th January 2019

1. Welcome from the Chair

The Chair welcomed the members of the forum.

2. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs M Lucas. Mr J Revill attended the meeting on behalf of Mr D Pearson.

3. Agreement of Agenda, Time-Guide and Notification of Any Other Business

The Forum agreed for item 7 to be linked with item 11.

4. Schools Block – School Funding Formula 2019-20

Schools Forum at September meeting agreed to enter into a consultation period to provide an overview of the DSG and to consider options for changes to the local funding formula from 2019/20. The Consultation period ended 31st October and this report provides feedback and proposed way forward.

Decision: Vote for option C was carried (15 for, 2 against, 3 abstain from decision)

Schools forum was asked to agree the transfer of £1.843m from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block in 2019/20. This being the same transfer value approved in 2018/19 by the Schools Forum and Secretary of State.

Schools Forum was asked to make the following recommendations to Thurrock Council on changes to the local funding formula to be implemented from April 2019: • The NFF to be implemented in full in 2019/20 • MFG to be implemented at 1.5%, in line with NFF guidelines. However. Any unallocated finds once NFF has been implemented will be used to reduce MFG to the lowest possible figure to afford more protection to schools. • The Notional calculation Option C to be implemented.

DM confirmed that the Schools Block was due to be increased by £900K, which would be added to reduce the MFG.

RP confirmed that the council are going through deliberation to be able to make a significant contribution to the deficit and this will be discussed in the January 2019 meeting. Councillor Halden has made a strong case in the cabinet.

Forum was asked to vote - MFG -1.5% was supported by the Schools Forum and the proposal that any spare money would lower the MFG.

Page 3 of 7 Agenda Item No. 10 17th January 2019

Decision: Vote carried for 18, abstain 2 for MFG -1.5%.

Decision: Chair votes for point 2.1 to transfer £1.8 from schools block to the High Needs Block – vote carried 19 for, 0 against and 1 abstain

Decision: vote for Notional SEN for option C – 16 for,4 against, 0 abstain from decision

5. Growth Funding Arrangements

The report sought for the Schools Forum to agree to the process for the allocation of growth funding for schools who take bulge classes or expanding schools, whereby schools increase their published admission number at the request of the Council. It was confirmed that in the first year of a bulge class the school would be funded for the 30 places irrespective of actual numbers and subsequently on actual census numbers.

Growth funding will be applied to support schools who have increased their PAN at the request of the local authority in order to meet basic need in the area.

Schools Forum were asked to vote to agree the proposed criteria for schools, academies and free schools accessing funding allocated for growth.

Decision: vote – 18 for, 2 abstain from decision.

6. Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health of Children and Young People

Schools Forum was asked to support the proposal for implementing a School Wellbeing Service for Thurrock School and young people and agrees a £50,000 per annum contribution for three years from the Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Funding allocation from 2019/20, which would support annual project costs of £300,000.

• School Wellbeing Service – funding has been secured for 3 years from: • Local Authority £150,000 pa for 3 years • Public Health £50,000 • CCG £50,000

And a request was made for £50,000 per annum for three years from Schools Forum which will directly contribute to the School Wellbeing Model as all senior management costs are being met from within existing council budgets.

Page 4 of 7 Agenda Item No. 10 17th January 2019

A request was made to also include special schools and AP in the offer. It was confirmed that schools/academies encompassed all institutions.

This is not a case holding service but a service which will aim to strengthen the emotional health environment in schools.

Some headteachers were unaware of the strategy group that has been shaping the service. It was confirmed that primary schools were represented by Corringham Primary.

A discussion took place about the value in spending to save as a SEMC out of borough placement could cost in the region of £180K for one child who was unable to sustain a place in mainstream school.

Decision: Vote to put £50k towards the project –vote 17 for, 0 against, and 3 abstain from decision.

7. High Needs Block Commissioning Intentions 2019/20

Schools Forum was asked to: • Agree to the proposed commissioned high needs places in specialist provision from September 2019. • Agree to further work on band values and Service Level Agreements

Thurrock proposed commissioned places 2019/20 document circulated. Olive numbers still need to be clarified.

Six places at Thameside and East Tilbury can’t be classified as AP as they are not in a separately registered provision. There is a possibility it could increase to 10 places in April once their expansion is complete.

At the next forum in January 2019, a report detailing the costs will be presented which forum members welcomed.

Decision: vote was unanimously carried in agreement to the above bullet points.

8. School Expansion Process and Principles

Discussions on the processes and principles in place and in previous sub group bring this process back and present to review and any comments or amendments. Suggestion that timescales for how long it will take to make a decision. Explains it’s

Page 5 of 7 Agenda Item No. 10 17th January 2019

not always possible to discuss all spaces if decisions need to be made in the summer holidays.

9. Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) 2018-19 and 2019-20 Discussions around the high need blocks, the projected overspend and historic deficit. The report and discussions focused on the following areas.

• To consider the 2018/19 projected outturn position and provisional 2019/20 funding allocations. The current projection is a deficit of £3.122m.

(2017/18 Outturn £2.702m – but HNB £3.2m)

• High Needs Block – Increased demand as shown in paragraph 3.7. This can be broken down into four key areas: • Home to School Transport £1.244m; • Additional payments of £1.051m in support of children with Statements/Education and Health Care (EHC) plans; • Increased demand for Specialist placements £0.545m; • Additional post 16 payments totalling £0.234m.

Home to School Transport is part of an ongoing review. A more detailed report has been requested by SF and this will be brought to a future meeting.

Discussions are ongoing to consider Thurrock’s budget position for 2019/20. An update will be provided to the Schools Forum at its meeting to be held on 24th January 2019.

Early Years Block – Any underspend will be carried forward to support providers in 2019/20. At the January meeting a proposal will be discussed on potential options to the Early Years funding formula. It is proposed to consult with providers in February with a final decision to be made by the SF on 14th March 2019.

The DSG Reserve £2.702m will need to be considered as part of 2019/20 budget setting process. This is linked to the outcome of Thurrock’s budget discussions for 2019/20 and the development of HNB strategic plan. All of which will be discussed at the SF January meeting.

Provisional allocations for 2019/20 show an increase in funding to be received. These will be updated for 2019/20 through the October 2018 census data. This will be released by the DfE week commencing 17th December.

Each funding block is required to be monitored and controlled separately. Appendix A provided the current information for 2018/19 budgets that will be updated for 2019/20 and presented at the January meeting.

Page 6 of 7 Agenda Item No. 10 17th January 2019

The report provided feedback from the National Fair Funding Conference held in October 2018.

10. Academies and Free Schools Update All information correct – no comments.

11. Update on Alternative Provision This item linked with item 7.

12. Childcare Sufficiency This report has been compiled by an external agency this year due to resource difficulties within the team. The report will be produced by the team next year.

13. Agenda Priorities Discussed and agreed.

14. Schools’ Forum Forward Plan SW to add additional items the forward plan as agreed during this meeting.

15. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th September 2018 Minutes agreed with the forum and no amendments to be made.

16. Matters Arising No matters arising to add.

17. Any Other Business. None.

18. Date of next meeting – 17th January 2019 at 9:00am @ Thurrock Adult Community College (Pre-meet will start at 8.30am)

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