To receive a report on the proposed changes to the top-up element of the funding formula for Central Bedfordshire to Special Schools.

The Schools Forum considered a report on the proposed changes to the top-up element of the funding formula for Central Bedfordshire to Special Schools.

Points and comments included:

1.         The report only included one model from which it appeared that Academy Special Schools would be penalised and local authority schools would gain. The Assistant Director Children’s Services Business and Supporting Services explained that discussions had previously taken place around other models which had been shared with Special School Headteachers following which the model shown in the report had been produced.

2.         Some academies had a shortfall in funding of pupil places before this report is even taken into consideration.

3.         In response to concerns raised that the SVT would not be reviewed for at least two years unless changes were made to the funding levels for mainstream schools, the Head of SEND explained that there was the possibility of evaluating whether the formula was still at an acceptable level.

4.         The figures used in the modelling had been based on this year’s figures. There was a suggestion made that it would be more appropriate to look the historic figures for previous years and take an average.

5.         Concern was expressed that the proposed change to the top-up element of the funding formula and change from individual pupil bands funded at different rates to a Single Value Top-up (SVT) would not meet the needs of the pupils and that funding had been received from historic top-ups.

6.         In response to the question raised about the rationale for the inequity in the figures between local authority schools and Academies shown in the report, the Assistant Director Children’s Services Business and Supporting Services explained that modelling had taken place based on the amount per school paid in banding top-ups divided by the number of children thereby giving an average.  This meant that there would be a different single value within each school.

7.         In response to the question raised about the needs of the children being taken into account as part of the modelling, the Head of SEND explained that some special schools are receiving funding of 10k but no top up and that there would be winners and losers within funding calculations.

8.         There was discussion as to whether the modelling should take into account pupils coming into schools in Central Bedfordshire from out of county and the associated funding.

9.         There was the wider issue to be considered of ensuring the provision of support for some of the most complex children in each of the four Special Schools.

RESOLVED

1.    that an SVT approach for the financial year 2019/20 be implemented at the values shown in table 1 of the report.

2.    that the SVT for each special school would not be reviewed for at least two years unless changes were made to the funding levels of mainstream schools.

3.    that the implementation of the SVT funding of special provision be carried out in two phase with Phase 1 being specifically for Special Schools.  Phase 2 would be structured around a full revision of SEN provision and the application of the SVT model to include special facilities.