Issue - decisions

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

1. Transfer 1.2% of the Schools Block (which equates to approximately to £15.2m) into the High Needs Block for 2024-25.

2. In relation to the Kent Local Funding Formula for schools in 2024-25:

i.               Continue with the Falling Roll fund. This will be fully funded from the Department for Education allocation for 2024-25 this equates to approximately £0.5m.

ii.              Set the local Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) percentage at 0.5% for primary and secondary schools.

iii.             Set the Minimum Per Pupil Funding Level (MPPFL) as per the value in the table below. This is equivalent to 0.9% the National Funding Formula:

iv.            All other factors within the current local funding formula to be set as per the National Funding Formula (NFF) less 1.7%.

v.              Set the SEN Notional Budget calculation using the following National Funding Formula factors: 5% Basic Entitlement, 70% of Ever 6 Free School Meal, Deprivation and Mobility Factors, and 100% Low Prior Attainment Factor, and 43% MPPFL & MFG Factors

3. In relation to Kent’s High Needs Formula Rates:

i.               2% inflationary increase for High Needs Formula budgets including SEN Inclusion Fund, Mainstream top up funding, Specialist Resource Provisions in mainstream schools, Specialist Teaching & Learning Service, Special Schools, Alternative Provision, FE colleges, and Specialist Post 16 Provisions.

ii.              The threshold for the additional mainstream top up funding (also known as SEN Notional Budget top up) will be set based on the size of the school:

·       Primary school (school roll up to 175): 40% schools notional SEN budget.

·       Primary school (school roll between 176 and 315): 45% of schools notional SEN budget.

·       Primary school (school roll over 315): 50% of schools notional SEN budget.

·       Secondary schools: 50% of schools notional SEN budget

4. Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education to make any further necessary changes to funding rates in light of any final affordability issues and further feedback from the Schools Funding Forum.