Agenda and minutes

Welcome by the Chair and introductions by all Forum Members present.

The Chair welcomed everyone to today’s meeting and introductions were made.

To invite Forum Members to declare any interests they may have on agenda items to be considered at this meeting, to confirm the nature of those interests and whether they intend to leave the meeting for the consideration of the item.

There were no Declarations of Interest reported.

Recommendation:-  To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meetings held on 13^th January and 24^th February, 2023

Consideration was given to the minutes from the previous meetings held on 13^th January and 24^th February, 2023.

Agreed:- That the minutes be approved.

To consider and report on any matters arising from the previous minutes:-

There were no matters arising.

To consider any updates or amendments to the membership of the Schools Forum.

Based on the School Sector Breakdown:-

·              To move Nevine Towers from being a Diocese Representative to a Primary Academy Representative (filling a vacancy) – Diocese Representative nomination pending.

·              For Paul Wilkinson, Chief Finance Officer – ACET, to replace Dominic Curran as Secondary Academy Representative.

Recommendation:-  To consider and approve the amendments/updates to the membership of the Rotherham Schools Forum.

Consideration was given to the membership and constitution of the Schools Forum and the suggested changes for approval.

Agreed:-  (1)  That Nevine Towers move from being a Diocese Representative to a Primary Academy Representative (filling a vacancy) and that a nomination be sought for a further Diocese Representative.

(2)  That Paul Wilkinson, Chief Finance Officer – ACET, replace Dominic Curran as Secondary Academy Representative.

(3) That resignations be received from David Naisbitt (Secondary Academy Representative) and Rachael Booth (Special School Representative).

Aileen Chambers and Neil Hardwick to report.

Recommendation:-  To note the report contents and receive an update report when the funding rates have been announced and the interim sufficiency analysis has been completed.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Neil Hardwick which detailed the changes proposed in the recent Budget announcement by the Government in relation to Early Years.  This included:- 

·              An extension of the free 30 hour childcare offer.

·              An increase in the early education hourly rate.

·              A change to the staff:child ratio for 2 year olds.

·              Funding to develop ‘wraparound’ care.

·              Incentive payments to new Childminders.

It was also noted that parents who worked more than sixteen hours a week and earnt less than £100,000 were entitled to thirty hours of free childcare a week for children aged three to four.  In Rotherham this equated to 2,899 children in the Summer term and currently 70% of eligible families were taking up this entitlement.

The entitlement was also being expanded, as detailed in the report, and would be staggered to give childcare providers time to prepare for the changes, ensuring there were enough providers ready to meet demand. The Early Years and Childcare Service was currently carrying out an initial analysis of potential demand as well as a full childcare sufficiency analysis over the summer term.

A number of working parents were currently paying for childcare for children from nine months to two years.  To enable providers to operate sustainably, the rate they charged was higher than the early education funding rate.  Sustainability would, therefore, be impacted if the proposed increase for September 2023 was not in line with or higher than the current chargeable rates.

The Forum acknowledged that whilst the changes were frustrating it was recognised and analysis would take place in order to align provision and provide clarity longer term.

The changes were, therefore, highlighted to the Forum as the sector would need to expand to meet potential demand.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the report be received and the contents noted.

(2)  That an update report be presented to the Schools Forum when the funding rates have been announced and the interim sufficiency analysis was complete.

Kelly Crompton to report.

Recommendation:-  To receive the report and note the contents.

Consideration was given to a presentation provided by Nathan Heath (circulated with the agenda papers) which provided a regional and national context on rapidly rising numbers of Exclusions.

The presentation highlighted:-

·              Nationally permanent exclusion and suspensions have increased compared to autumn term 2021:-

Secondary increase by 16%

Primary increase by 70%

Special increase by 41%

·              Suspensions trend 2016 – 2023

·              Permanent Exclusion trend 2016 – 2023.

·              Suspensions monthly trend.

·              Permanent Exclusion monthly trend.

·              Permanent Exclusion Data Autumn Term Comparative.

·              Permanent Exclusion Data Spring Term Comparative.

·              Early Years and Primary:-

o     Primary Outreach

o     LEAF turn around provision developed– SEMH

o     Additional 10 place resource base (EHCP) SLA provision SEMH x2

o     Additional 10 place resource base (EHCP) SLA provision ASD x2

o     Development of family support pilot in KS1

o     Increase in specialist SEMH places for pupils with EHCP

o     Investment in inclusion support grant.

·              Secondary:-

o     Secondary Outreach and enhanced transition outreach.

o     Additional resource base provisions KS3/4 (EHCP) SEMH/ASD with SLA x2 for each need type.

o     Aspire dual registration places (in line with recommendations from DfE) as proactive time specific support.

o     Funded early entry college places KS4 from Aspire where appropriate.

o     AP setting professionals to support directly on school sites with small groups low level, persistent behaviour pupils regularly accessing internal exclusion bases.

o     Consideration of AP post 16 offer for Rotherham.

o     Local, written agreement from headteachers for first instance Permanent Excluded pupils to be presented at ‘immediate SFAP’ to give opportunity of place at a local mainstream upon first Permanent Exclusion, prior to Day 6.

o     Enhancement of managed moves to avoid Permanent Exclusion.

o     Work with Ofsted and DfE to understand differing levels of the use of school exclusion across all schools in the borough.

·              Area Wide:-

o     All school level exclusion data to be shared with Schools Forum.

o     Data pack shared with High Needs sub group for view.

o     DfE SEND Improvement plan enhances the role of AP and drives the need for system ownership.

o     Relationship between SEND, Vulnerability, and school exclusion.

o     Continued development of outreach across all areas of SEND.

o     Extend role of the virtual school.

Forum Members welcomed the information and in receiving the content highlighted the challenges being faced.

Discussion ensued about locally agreed managed moves and alternative options.  Whilst there was no statutory requirement for a collaborative agreement the offers amongst schools was disproportionate.  Clear written agreements needed to be in place in relation to managed moves, places becoming permanent, funding arrangements and opportunities to use Fair Access with recurrent challenges.

Concern was also expressed about the Local Authority’s capacity to support primary excluded children, which was increasing with behaviour becoming more challenging and more so post-pandemic.

Whilst it was acknowledged the Green Paper would alleviate some difficulties, challenges would remain for some permanently excluded children returning to mainstream education.  Significant challenges had been identified with growth of children permanently excluded in Key Stage 3.

The pandemic had masked some of the issues  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Neil Hardwick to report.

Recommendations:-  (1)  That Schools Forum note the updates to the Scheme for Financing Schools sections highlighted in yellow.

(2)  That Schools Forum note the DfE’s latest version, updated 31 March 2023.

(3)  That the Schools Forum agree for the Updated Scheme for Financing Schools to be disseminated to schools.

Consideration was given to the report by Neil Hardwick, Head of Schools Finance, which built upon previous reports setting out the main amendments to the Scheme for Financing Schools to bring in line with the DfE’s latest version, updated as of 31st March, 2023.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the report be received and the updates to the Scheme for Financing Schools sections highlighted in yellow be noted.

(2)  That  the DfE’s latest version, updated 31 March 2023 be noted.

(3)  That the Updated Scheme for Financing Schools be disseminated to schools.

Vera Njegic and Neil Hardwick to report.

Recommendation:-  (1)  To receive the report and note the 2023/2024 High Needs Operational Guidance

(2)  To note the guidance update and 2023-2024 funding allocations.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Neil Hardwick, Head of Schools Finance, which set out the main update to the 2023/24 High Needs Operational Guidance and proposed recommendations to ensure compliance and financial sustainability.

There were changes to the 2023 to 2024 high needs funding system with the NFF and underpinning operational processes and principles remaining largely unchanged from 2022 to 2023. The ESFA had also clarified certain aspects of the guidance and the relevant updates since the August 2022 publication.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the update to the 2023/2024 High Needs Operational Guidance be received and noted.

(2)  That the guidance update and 2023-2024 funding allocations be noted.

Nathan Heath to report.

Recommendation:-  To receive the report and note the contents.

Further to Minute No. 95 of the meeting of the Schools Forum held on 13^th January, 2023 consideration was given to an update from Nathan Heath, Assistant Director for Education, on the High Needs Safety Valve arrangements aligned to the Local Authority’s trajectory.

An update had been provided for the Cabinet at its meeting on the 24^th April, 2023 where it was confirmed that regular monitoring had taken place with meetings between DfE and the Council on a quarterly basis to both support delivery and hold accountability of the Agreement. Further updates would be provided in due course.

This support and challenge process also allowed emerging challenges to be shared and a vigorous oversight of plans to be undertaken. Rotherham had remained on track to deliver all aspects of its ‘Safety Valve’ agreement across this financial year. 

The Dedicated Schools Grant deficit position would have moved from a position of £12.84m at the end of 2021/2022 to a forecast outturn position of £6.49m at the end of 2022/2023 and an update on the current financial position was provided.

The High Needs Sub-Group would continue to receive regular and detailed updates in relation to the ‘Safety Valve Agreement’.

Agreed:-  That the update be received and the contents noted.

Nathan Heath to report.

Recommendation:-  Recommendation:-  To receive the report and note the contents.

Consideration was given to an update by Nathan Heath, Assistant Director for Education, on the discussions arising from the High Needs Sub-Group, much of which remained confidential due to the content of the information shared about the Safety Valve Arrangements.

Details of the discussions were outlined.

Future agenda items would look at activity that supported wider contexts.

Agreed:-  That the update be received and the contents noted.

Amy Leech to report.

Recommendation:-  To receive the report and note the contents.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

Recommendation:-  To receive any other items of urgent business.

There were no other items of business to report.

Recommendation:-  To consider and agree the date and time of the next meeting of the Rotherham Schools’ Forum on Friday, 23^rd June, 2023 at 8.30 a.m. at Rockingham PDC.

Agreed:- That the next meeting of the Schools’ Forum take place on Friday, 23^rd June, 2023 at 8.30 a.m. at Rockingham Professional Development Centre.