1.  Protocols of the Virtual meeting

·  This is a public meeting

·  The meeting is recorded for minute taking purposes only

·  Remain on mute unless requested to speak

·  Raise ‘hand’ to ask a question, or ask a question in the chat section

·  Use Chat to vote as not everyone has the hand symbol.

·  This is a public meeting

·  The meeting is recorded for minute taking purposes only

·  Remain on mute unless requested to speak

·  Raise ‘hand’ to ask a question, or ask a question in the chat section

·  Use Chat to vote as not everyone has the hand symbol.

The minutes from the meeting were accepted as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Trish Lewis informed the Forum of the make up the Laces Team and the targeted work carried out by them to support looked after children.

Looked After Children (LAC) Pupil Premium is allocated to schools by the Laces Team.  The total per child is £2,345, split with £395 top sliced for providing central support, and £1,950 to schools for pupils based on the completion of PEPs. The impact of the top slice has improved the quality of information from schools and enabled the team to better support and challenge schools.

The Laces Team will continue to improve data received to further investigate the impact of LAC PP on the children’s education.

There are new statutory duties in relation to child protection for the Laces team.  The DfE will provide grant funding to support this.

Resolved

Forum noted the report and requested further updates going forward.

Sarah Harper briefed Forum on the key points from the report. 

·  A Workforce Development Group is being set up to ensure the early years underspend is used to strengthen recruitment and retention of the early years workforce, which is an issue nationally.

·  There are pressures on the Inclusive practice fund during the summer term due to the increased applications. 

Resolved

·  The report was noted

Christine Thomson explained the 5 options considered to allocate the Falling Rolls and Growth Fund for 2021-22, which at £153k is much lower than last year.  Option B (last year’s criteria but only where the % change is 10% or more) is favoured by the LA as it is consistent with previously agreed criteria whilst ensuring the allocations provide enough support for it to have an impact.

Resolved

·  Schools Forum representatives agreed to adopt option B as the basis to distribute the 2021-22 falling rolls and growth fund. 

·  Forum noted the further development of the distribution of this fund in future years to take account of external factors such as demographic changes and to target schools where disadvantage is beyond the control of schools. 

Christine Thomson confirmed that the year-end position of £414k overspend was still provisional as the external audit process has not yet concluded. 

The early years underspend of £290k is also still provisional, based on final confirmation of the early years grant for 2020-21, which has not been confirmed by the DfE.  Once confirmation has been received Forum members will be notified by e-mail of the final early years underspend.

The 2021-22 budget position is forecast to overspend by £1.148m mainly due to pressures in the high needs block. This will reduce the expected contribution to the DSG overspend brought forward, which means there would be no reserves for any unforeseen circumstances.  The main overspend is in respect of increased number of EHCPs in the summer term, which is forecast to continue during the year, this will be monitored closely and reported back to the High Needs working group before the September Forum meeting.

It was confirmed that the new Head of SEND is Katie Bird and she will start on 1^st September 2021.

Resolved

Forum noted the report.

Sue Ashley updated Forum on the current Forum Membership.  A request for Academy representatives has recently been sent out to fill the 2 current vacancies and the 2 positions to become vacant in August. There has also been a request for a primary governor representative.  The chair welcomed the new members, but it was noted that Brian McGregor will not be the C of E Diocese representative until September 2021.

Resolved

Forum noted the report and views from members

The workplan was provided for information.  The meetings have been reviewed, with only 1 meeting in the summer term with an optional meeting in March if required.  Dates for the next academic year are as follows:-

  Tuesday 28^th September 2021 (Virtual meeting confirmed)

Tuesday 23^rd November 2021

Tuesday 18^th January 2022

Tuesday 31^st May 2022

Further discussion at the September meeting to decide if any future meeting will be face to face.

There was no other business.