Agenda item

The report was introduced by The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Skills.

In response to the members of the public who asked questions, the Cabinet Member clarified that the funding for schools detailed in the report was the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) which was a sum of money received from central government to be passported to schools. There was no opportunity for the Council to decide what the money was spent on.

It was explained that four years previously, the Government had said it was their intention to move to a national funding formula, rather than use the local funding formula which had been in place. The national funding formula had never made its way onto the statute book so effectively the local funding formula was still in place but it was implemented along national funding formula parameters. The funding allocation was good news because although Worcestershire was still a poorly funded authority compared to other authorities, the amount of money received was increasing and was actually an increase of £54 million in four years. The number of pupils had increased but based on the amount per pupil, the increased numbers would only have accounted for an additional £6 million.  This funding formula was for mainstream schools, not for higher needs pupils.

Overall schools in Worcestershire had done well during the pandemic and 90% of pupils were currently in school; a higher percentage of pupils than nationally. At present there were 27 schools affected by collapsed bubbles with far fewer pupils out of school due to Covid than there were a couple of weeks ago.

Following the introduction various comments were made:

·    The increase in funding was greatly appreciated and good news for Worcestershire schools but it was still recognised that Worcestershire wanted fair funding for schools compared to other areas of the country

·    A review of funding for special educational needs and disabilities was on-going. It was felt that Central Government needed to address the higher needs gap

·    Funding needed to continue for rural primary schools to be able to exist. It was pointed out that if small schools were closed the children in those areas would have to travel further to attend school which would increase their carbon footprint. The closure of a small school would adversely affect the village and could mean that families move out

·    Schools were recognised as a safe place for children in terms of safeguarding as teachers were likely to notice and report any problems

·    Schools were praised for staying open during the pandemic, initially for the children of key workers and since September for all children.

·    The Cabinet Member was thanked for his report and the increase in funding which was obviously good news for schools in Worcestershire.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(a)    had regard to the information provided to schools on 18 September 2020;

(b)   noted the Department for Education policy for school and Local Authority funding for 2021-22 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(c)    noted the involvement of the Worcestershire Schools Forum members and schools during the engagement process;

(d)   noted the views of the Worcestershire Schools Forum on the Local Schools Funding Formula issues for 2021-22 and other matters which are outlined in Appendix 2 to the report;

(e)    approved the Local Schools Funding Formula for Worcestershire mainstream schools from April 2021 to apply for 2021-22 and other matters as detailed in paragraphs 31 to 41 of the report, to include the DfE Minimum Funding Levels (MFL’s) for Primary £4,180; Key Stage 3 £5,215; Key Stage 4 £5,715; Secondary £5,415, having regard to feedback from schools and the views of the Worcestershire Schools Forum in Appendix 2 to the report to be based as far as is practicable and affordable upon the Department for Education (DfE) National Funding Formula (NFF) parameters; and

(f)     authorised the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Skills to make the required submission to the national executive body, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) by 21 January 2021 for the approved Local Schools Funding Formula for 2021-22 taking account of any impact and change on the approved units of resource, Minimum Funding Guarantee and capping arrangements in paragraph 33 of the report as a consequence of the October 2020 census and other 2020 data changes and the final 2021-22 Dedicated School Grant (DSG).