Dedicated Schools Grant consultation: Mainstream schools document 2025
National Funding Formula (NFF)
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7.1. Factor / Values and Allowable Ranges
A National Funding Formula (NFF) is used to distribute Schools Block Designated Schools Grant (DSG) funding to local authorities for mainstream schools.
The National Funding Formula is currently an indirect formula, with DSG funding allocated to local authorities for local decision-making on the local formula to be implemented. This local decision-making is following consultation with schools and Schools Forum and is required to be within the regulations using specified funding factors within a range of specified allowable values.
Since 2023-24 the government has required local authorities to move their mainstream schools' local formula closer to the National Funding Formula, transitioning towards the implementation of a direct national funding formula over time at 10% per year, except where the local formula already 'mirrors' the National Funding Formula by being within 2.5% of the Department for Education's (DfE) published factor values. Norfolk already 'mirrors' the NFF.
The DfE has stated that this requirement will continue in 2026-27, suggesting that the direction of travel toward a national approach continues. However, at this time, the local authority has not received any formal confirmation from the current Government regarding its intention to either pursue or depart from the principle of a direct National Funding Formula that would remove local aspects and / or adjustments within final allocations to schools.
7.2. Factor / Values and Allowable Ranges
The National Funding Formula (NFF) is made up of multiple funding factors and values either on a per-pupil or per-school basis.
The formula set at a local level by each local authority (LA) is expected to utilise all funding factors with the local values utilised being within allowable ranges set out for each authority by the DfE.
In Norfolk, we previously moved to align with mirroring the NFF factor values early on. For 2025-26 the local values were slightly varied (lowered) compared to NFF values to ensure affordability of the model (negating the need for a cap upon gains). Norfolk's formula is still considered to be mirroring the NFF by the DfE, as Norfolk's formula factor values remained within 2.5% of the published NFF factor values.
For reference purposes, Norfolk's current funding factors compared to National Funding Formula in 2025/26 are shown in the table below. Please note that the DfE have not yet provided the NFF funding values for 2026-27 so these values subject to update:
| Funding Factor | 2025-26 Formula £ NFF unit rates | 2025-26 Formula £ Norfolk unit rates |
|---|---|---|
| Age Weighted Pupil Unit | ||
| Primary | 3,847.00 | 3,763.00 |
| Key Stage 3 | 5,422.00 | 5,303.61 |
| Key Stage 4 | 6,113.00 | 5,979.53 |
| Minimum Per Pupil Funding | ||
| Primary | 4,955 | 4,955 |
| Secondary | 6,465 | 6,465 |
| Additional Needs Funding | ||
| Primary FSM* | 495.00 | 484.19 |
| Secondary FSM | 495.00 | 484.19 |
| Primary FSM6 | 1,060.00 | 1,036.86 |
| Secondary FSM6 | 1,555.00 | 1,521.05 |
| Primary IDACI* A | 685 | 670.04 |
| Primary IDACI B | 520 | 508.65 |
| Primary IDACI C | 490 | 479.30 |
| Primary IDACI D | 445 | 435.28 |
| Primary IDACI E | 285 | 278.78 |
| Primary IDACI F | 235 | 229.87 |
| Secondary IDACI A | 950 | 929.26 |
| Secondary IDACI B | 745 | 728.73 |
| Secondary IDACI C | 695 | 679.83 |
| Secondary IDACI D | 635 | 621.14 |
| Secondary IDACI E | 450 | 440.17 |
| Secondary IDACI F | 340 | 332.58 |
| Low Prior Attainment (LPA) | ||
| Primary LPA | 1,175.00 | 1,149.34 |
| Secondary LPA | 1,785.00 | 1,746.03 |
| English as an Additional Language (EAL) | ||
| Primary EAL | 595.00 | 582.01 |
| Secondary EAL | 1,595.00 | 1,560.17 |
| Mobility | ||
| Primary Mobility | 965.00 | 943.93 |
| Secondary Mobility | 1,385.00 | 1,354.76 |
| Lump Sum | ||
| Primary Lump Sum | 145,100.00 | 141,931.84 |
| Secondary Lump Sum | 145,100.00 | 141,931.84 |
| Sparsity | ||
| Primary Sparsity | 57,400.00 | 56,146.71 |
| Secondary Sparsity | 83,400.00 | 81,579.02 |
| Split Sites (NEW) | ||
| Basic Eligibility | 54,000.00 | 52,820.95 |
| Distance Funding | 27,000.00 | 26,410.47 |
* Acronym definitions:
- FSM = Free School Meal
- IDACI = Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index
The DfE usually publish an allowable range of funding factor values for each authority each year, based on the National Funding Formula, to support the intention for all LAs' allocation formulae to become closer to the National Funding Formula values funded through DSG. This has not yet been published for 2026-27.
7.3. Presumption for application of National Funding Formula principles, factors and values for Norfolk schools
While the new Government has not explicitly confirmed it will continue with the previous Government's confirmed intention to move towards a direct National Funding Formula (NFF) - whereby funding would be allocated directly to schools based on a single formula (i.e. resulting in the removal of local aspects and / or adjustments within final allocations to schools) - the continuing requirement for a 'tightening' of local formulae towards National Funding Formula factor values suggests that this will remain the national direction of travel.
As already noted, Norfolk already 'mirrors' the DfE's NFF principles, factors and values as shown in relation to the 2025-26 formula facts and values. Given the national guidance to date and Norfolk's previous decisions, it is presumed that the NFF principles, factors and values will continue to be applied in the Norfolk formula for 2026-27 and that this formula will continue to 'mirror' the NFF.
Therefore, there is no specific consultation on this aspect of the local formula, and this information is included for reference and context for elements that are to be consulted upon.
7.4. Action upon receipt of the 2026-27 provisional DSG allocations
It is possible that the DfE will publish provisional DSG allocations for 2026-27 during the consultation period.
If this occurs, the LA will consult with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Schools Forum to agree on a course of action, including consideration of:
- The publication of revised technical papers
- Any extension of the consultation period
- Any additional questions for the survey, and / or
- The addition of any additional briefing sessions
Consideration will need to be given to ensuring that the consultation is live for a sufficient period of time, along with sufficient time to analyse the responses to the consultation, prior to Schools Forum meeting, whilst remaining within a timescale suitable to meet the DfE's requirements for submission of Norfolk's final funding formula.
Alternatively, if further information is received from DfE following the consultation period, the LA will:
- Publish the provisional DSG allocations
- Share further technical papers to assist schools' planning for 2026-27
- Inform the Chair and Vice-Chair of Schools Forum and agree whether any additional Schools Forum consideration is required.
