Schools Forum Update - 20 January 2026

This update provides a summary of key discussions and decisions taken by Forum at their most recent meeting. If you want to find more detail, the minutes and papers from all meetings are in the public domain and can be found on the Norfolk Schools Forum website, along with contact details for Forum representatives.

Chair and Vice-Chair elections

Forum members confirmed one nomination for each role and elected Martin White as Chair and Glyn Hambling Vice Chair for 2026 by agreement.

Strategic Oversight

The paper (PDF, 2 MB) provided an overarching view of national announcements and local implications across SEND, DSG and capital, including: the temporary suspension of the High Needs NFF for 2026/27 and the risk this presents locally due to lower funding than expected; the DfE's capital position (and the choice between progressing two special free schools or accepting a significantly lower value cash alternative); and expectations around a Local SEND Reform Plan and use of the Local Partnership Maturity Assessment. The report set the strategic context for finance items later on the agenda. 

Forum members indicated a clear preference for building the two special schools rather than taking the cash. Questions focused on whether the capital envelope reflects current build costs and whether self delivery would be supported. Officers responded that clarification had been sought from the DfE on funding levels and delivery routes, noting the Council had already invested in creating an access road and other infrastructure.  Subsequent to the Forum's meeting, the DfE confirmed that they would be fully funding the schools if this option was taken.

Members raised concerns that suspension of the NFF increases uncertainty for local planning and whether this would worsen the projected deficit. Officers explained that, unlike previous years, no inflation or place growth uplift is included, so the position is more challenging; this links directly to choices in the DSG paper later on the agenda.

Members asked for swift communication to the system following Cabinet decisions and DfE feedback. Officers agreed to update Forum as soon as practicable. 

Central School Services Block (CSSB) 2026/27

The paper (PDF, 2 MB) set out how the CSSB funds statutory duties for all schools (maintained and academies), consolidates elements previously funded via the Education Services Grant retained duties and centrally purchased licences, and explained proposed allocations for 2026/27. It also provided additional transparency on how responsibilities and costs are structured following recent internal changes. 

Forum members welcomed the greater clarity in the paper and asked that helpful tables be retained in future reports. Members queried whether existing licenses and copyright provisions could be expanded to cover photographs and images lacking a license, which would provide protection against potential copyright claims. Officers noted that the license list was provided by the DfE, and did not appear to extend to such copyright, but agreed to explore interpretations and issue further guidance to schools. 

Dedicated Schools Grant Allocations and DSG Budget 2026/27

The report (PDF, 2 MB) set out final DSG allocations and a proposed 2026/27 DSG budget across all blocks. It highlighted that the High Needs NFF is suspended for 2026/27 and that previously separate grants (e.g., CSBG/SBSG/NIC) are rolled into DSG, with no like for like inflation for High Needs—worsening the position versus earlier modelling. For Early Years, the DfE's move to termly counts for 3-4 year olds introduces a transitional "with/without termly adjustment" rate; the paper explored how best to set the local base rate while minimising underspend risk and maximising pass through. The paper also summarised Schools Block parameters (mirroring NFF and MFG at 0%) and CSSB headlines.

Forum members discussed risks to SEND provision in mainstream and special schools arising from the HNB settlement, particularly highlighting that special schools were being asked to plan for no inflation and plan to utilise reserves for the coming year, with the exception of any Government grants to accompany any pay awards that may come. Members expressed concern that special schools may be required to absorb inflationary pressures without the prospect of additional funding, making budget-setting particularly difficult for these. Officers explained Norfolk's intent to protect provision while reforms and national positions evolve, and described discussions held with the DfE indicating Government announcements in the foreseeable future. 

On Early Years, Forum Members supported the Council using the higher, termly adjusted rate as the starting point for the base rate for 3-4s to maximise funding to providers (recognising transitional risk), with the sector changes and move to termly counts noted.

After debating proposed options for managing the block transfer unwind and the impact upon Element 3 funding, Forum Members unanimously agreed to recommend to the Council's Cabinet to calculate Element 3 funding for academies during the summer term to account for the fact that General Annual Grant adjustments (from which academies receive funding) to reflect the reversal of the block transfer will not take place until September 2025. This aligns with the previously stated intentions to move away from the block transfer whilst securing mainstream SEND provision during transition, but the DfE have highlighted  that they would not normally expect such transition arrangements to be required at the end of a block transfer (though have confirmed it is a local decision).  The alternative would be to maintain the 1.5% block transfer for next year, continuing with the E3 formula approach whilst awaiting imminent reform announcements, contrary to previously stated intention. Officers committed to internal consideration and further engagement with Forum depending on Cabinet decisions. 

De Delegations (Maintained) — Redeployment/Safeguarding

Following a deferral in November, the report set out how the redeployment/safeguarding budget is used to avoid redundancy costs through salary safeguarding and redeployment support, including recent activity, savings delivered across maintained schools, and the proposed 2026/27 de delegation/buy back rates.  Officers confirmed the rationale that redeployment can be a lower cost alternative to redundancy and that the fund continues to support system savings.

Having considered the additional detail, Forum members reached the following decisions: 

• Primary maintained: AGREED to de delegate for 2026/27.
• Secondary maintained: AGREED NOT TO de delegate for 2026/27.
• Maintained nursery & special: AGREED to buy back for 2026/27.

Growth Fund Criteria (Revisited)

The paper (PDF, 2 MB) proposed an amendment to the Growth Fund criteria so that, where a school closes, the closing school's remaining  funding is transferred into the Growth Fund in-year and then distributed to schools admitting displaced pupils (per pupil funding excluding school specific factors), with no minimum pupil number threshold. This complements the existing basic need criteria and post-opening funding approach. 
Forum members sought clarity on pro rata budgets for closing schools and distinctions between closures and amalgamations. Officers confirmed that the criteria focuses on closures (not mergers) and set out how funding follows pupils in practice. The Forum approved the revised Growth Fund criteria for 2026/27. 

Pupil Variations 2026/27

The report (PDF, 2 MB) summarised the APT pupil variation requests for schools with confirmed, planned growth (or new year groups) so that budgets reflect anticipated September 2026 intakes rather than October 2025 only. Norfolk will also use the Growth Fund for in year growth and post opening costs as agreed in November. 

Officers explained the modelling approach and confirmed an additional £256k across three schools through pupil variation adjustments, with any validation changes to be reported back, if needed. 

Schools Forum Regular Update Report

The report (PDF, 2 MB) covered the member induction offer (including availability to substitutes) along with updates from the Early Years Consultative Group (work to increase take up among families receiving additional support and to improve communications), and an update from the High Needs Working Group.

Forum members welcomed the induction arrangements for new members and suggested copying members into substitute communications; they also noted Early Years messaging changes underway; and received High Needs Working Group notes.