Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Amy Stancer, Gavin Booth, Katie Gravil, Simon Morley, Stephen Hopkins, Lea Mason and Peter Tomlinson.

The Vice-Chairman thanked Frances Green for her contribution to the Forum following her resignation from the Forum. He also thanked Tony Warnock, Financial Services Manager for his work to support the Forum and schools funding matters for the benefit of Lincolnshire Schools and wished him well for the future.

None were declared.

RESOLVED:

           That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023 be approved    as a correct record.

(To receive a report by Eileen McMorrow, Programme Manager – Children’s (SEND), which provides an update on the implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy)

Consideration was given to a report by the Programme Manager – Children’s (SEND), which provided an update on the implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy.

The strategy was making significant changes to the exiting special education provision, creating an integrated and sustainable school system where pupils could attend their nearest special school, confident that their education and health needs could be fully met.

The Building Communities of Specialist Strategy commenced implementation in 2019 and would be completed by Spring 2025. Implementation was well underway with a number of capital schemes complete.

The Forum noted the key milestones for the capital programme which had been met in the reporting period:

Official Opening for Boston Endeavour Academy

•        Official Opening for Bourne Willoughby Academy

•        Completion of new block and remodelling of existing facilities at Spilsby The

• Eresby School, to meet all complex needs and expansion.

•        Completion of new block and remodelling of existing facilities at Louth St

• Bernard’s School, to meet all complex needs and expansion.

•        Merger of Spalding Priory and Garth Schools to form Tulip Academy

•        Completion of new block and remodelling of existing facilities at Tulip Academy

–        Waterside Campus, to meet all complex needs and expansion.

•        Completion of new school - Lincoln St Christopher's Primary School.

•        Construction commenced Lincolnshire St Christopher’s Secondary School.

•        Construction commenced of rebuild at Horncastle St Lawrence School

•        Self-delivery project including remodelling and new hydrotherapy pool for The Sandon School Grantham and agreement to develop a solution for site constraint at Ambergate/Sandon to include Bluecoat Meres Upper school site.

•        Feasibility and design process commenced for Lincoln St Francis School and Gosberton House Academy (delayed due to procurement challenges).

Consideration was given to the report and during the discussion the following points were recorded:

• The strategy when complete will create 527 new special school places across Lincolnshire schools. The Forum was assured that the strategy aspired to meet ‘all complex needs’ for Lincolnshire children. However, it was acknowledged that there will always be a small proportion of children requiring specialist intervention and a more specialist placement, for example, school for the deaf, and it was accepted to be appropriate in these cases. It is hoped that the strategy will result in a reduction on the reliance of out of county placements.., 
• The £2m earmarked in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) reserves will support the planned re-organisation of schools to increase places on a temporary basis through the policy, but thereafter the High Needs block would meet this cost, which is supported through High Needs block funding formula per place and other proxy funding. 
• Despite the demands and increasing costs in this area, the strategy is considered to be more cost effective than requiring out of county placements and will support the financial sustainability of the High Needs block. The Forum were reassured that this was the most effective way to invest and manage specialist provision within the County, providing needs could continue to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

(To receive a report by Ady Clarke, Education Reorganisation Officer, which provides information on the latest number of academies and pupils in academies and academy trusts)

Consideration was given to an update by the Strategic Finance Lead – Children’s Services, which provided information on the latest number of academies and pupils in academies and academy trusts, as set out in the report.

Consideration was given to the report and during the discussion the following points were recorded:

• The Forum was informed that maintained and academy schools are funded through the same formulas. The Forum was also informed that the Department for Education grant funding to support Local Authority school improvement ended in 2022/23, but through the Council budget and recycled de-delegation funding, locality leads support can be maintained.   . It was acknowledged that the number of conversion would continue to be closely monitored, but currently the number of maintained schools has remained consistent for some time, therefore risks are considered low, and the Local Authority will continue to provide support to our maintained schools.
• The Forum commended Lincolnshire County Council for their dynamic approach in prioritising Lincolnshire’s young people in both maintained schools and academies.

RESOLVED:

              That the report be noted.

(This item provides the Schools' Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings, which will be subsequently included in the Work Programme)

Consideration was given to the Forum’s work programme, as set out at pages 33-34 of the agenda pack. 

RESOLVED:

              That the work programme be noted.