Agenda

Welcome by the outgoing Chair and introductions.

To receive nominations and agree the Chair of Schools Forum for the academic years 2026/27 and 2027/28.

To receive nominations and agree the Vice Chair of the Schools Forum for the academic years 2026/27 and 2027/28.

To receive apologies from any Forum Member who are unable to attend the meeting.

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.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12^th June 2026.

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

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

Report from the Principal Finance Officer (Schools Finance).

Recommendations:

That Schools Forum:

1.      Note the latest DSG funding for schools for the 2026/27 financial year.

2.      Note the forecast positions of Rotherham’s maintained schools and the centrally retained DSG budgets for the year.

3.      Note the government changes to Free School Meals from September 2026.

Report from the Head of Finance (CYPS).

Recommendations:

That Schools Forum:

1.   Note the content of the DfE consultation ‘Upfront funding for mainstream schools: creating a ‘local SEND inclusion formula’’, which closes on 18 September 2026.

2.   Note Rotherham’s position not to submit an expression of interest to participate in the first phase of this approach for the 2027/28 financial year, for the reasons set out in section 6 of this report.

Update from the Transformation Lead (CYPS)

Recommendation:

1.      That Schools Forum receive and note the update.

Report from the Head of Service - SEND.

Recommendations:

That Schools Forum:

1.          Note the current sufficiency position.

2.          Note the regional and national benchmarking information.

3.     Support ongoing SEND Sufficiency planning to meet projected EHCP

        growth and future placement demand.

Report from the EHCP – Team Manager

Recommendation:

1.  The Schools Forum receive and note the update.

Report from the Head of Service - Access to Education

Recommendation:

1.   That Schools Forum receive and note the update.

Report from the Service Director – Education and Inclusion

Recommendation

1.  That Schools Forum note Option 1 as the preferred option - a recharge of £50 per day will be made to the ‘home’ school by Aspire PRU for students accessing the provision.

To consider the attached Forward Plan of agenda items and receive any updates.

To receive any other items of urgent business.