Stoke on Trent Council
Schools’ Forum
Date:
Time:
Venue:
Chair:
Monday 19th September 2016
08:30 a.m.
The Bridge Centre
Mr C Ward
In Attendance: Mrs E Gater, Mrs S Thursfield (Primary Head Teachers), Mr C Smith
(Secondary Academy Representative), Mr J May (PRU Representative), Mrs L
Sarikaya (Nursery Representative), Mr J Baddeley, Mr D Alston, Mr I Beardmore
(Primary Academy Representative), Mrs S Smith (PVI Representative), Dr R
Blencowe (Secondary Head Teacher), Mr H Gurden, Mr B Tomkinson (Union
Representatives).
Mr D Perrett, Mr R Johnstone, Miss H Meigh, and Mr A Brindley attended on behalf of
the Local Authority.
Cabinet Member: Councillor Janine Bridges – Cabinet Member for Education and
Economy.
Minutes: Miss E Fowler
MINUTES
Action
1.
Apologies
Apologies received from: Mrs H Emery, Mr D Grey
2.
Minutes of the last meeting (06/06/2016)
Minutes approved.
Matters arising:
Under item 4 High Needs Bid Funding, Mr J May explained
that Christine Bray had produced excellent reports from
schools, and thought these should be shared with the group.
Mr D Perrett asked for the reports to be shared with forum
members.
Mr D Alston said lots of changes were made, especially the
discussion about bids for High Needs.
Mr D Perrett said he wanted to discuss with the primary,
-1-
secondary and special heads to see how the DSG reserve
could be used to create positive outcomes within schools. We
need to gain a further understanding of the vulnerability of
children.
Mr D Alston replied by saying he would like a working party to
discuss this further.
Mr D Perrett said he would discuss further at the head teachers
meeting.
3.
Early Years National Funding Formula Consultation
Miss H Meigh presented the Early Years National Funding Formula
Consultation briefing note.
Miss H Meigh explained that the City Council would see a reduction
in funding. Basically 25% of local authorities would see a reduction.
She also explained that all local authorities would be required to
pass 93% in 2017-18 then 95% in 2018-19 of early years funding to
providers.
Miss H Meigh also said the consultation would close on Thursday
22nd September 2016.
Mr D Perrett said that it was disappointing that we sit within the
25% of local authorities that will have their funding reduced. The
last few years’ terrific work has been carried out and outcomes
improved.
Mr D Perrett also said that children are entitled to 15hrs free
funding per week but a number of maintained schools staggered
the entry into nursery classes in the first few weeks. We have had a
number of complaints from parents who have had to make
alternative arrangements and have had to pay for childcare.
Mr D Perrett then said with the local authority only maintaining 5%
of the total funding, this will have a massive impact on play and
learning activities.
Mrs S Smith asked why we were part of the 25%.
Miss H Meigh replied that the cost of labour is less in Stoke-onTrent.
Mr D Perrett explained that Stoke is an inexpensive place to live.
Councillor J Bridges said that she understood the above; however
we need to be more pro-active. The government will not listen to
the City Council that schools are under pressure. We have low
living costs and low labour costs but our children still have needs.
Lots of resources are required in primary schools to meet the
curriculum.
Mr D Alston said ensuring children are in on day one can be an
issue. Children in primary schools are in school above the 15hrs. Is
-2-
this not registered?
Mr D Perrett said parents are paying for full childcare costs, but
parents are saying they are entitled to 15hrs free. For a child to
access 30hrs a week could create issues.
Councillor J Bridges said we need to back up the work we are
doing and continue the good work.
Mr C Ward said he was willing to get involved and write a letter for
the consultation but he would require additional information from
the local authority, based on the data it holds.
Mrs S Smith asked if we held data on 2 year olds.
Miss H Meigh said the deadline for replying to the consultation
document was Thursday 22nd September.
Councillor J Bridges urged forum members to reply to the
consultation as we need to be heard.
Mr C Ward said the Department of Education do take note when
groups of schools get involved.
4.
Schools Funding Formula
Miss H Meigh presented the Schools’ Funding Formula paper
outlining the two options for 2017-18. The options were:
•
•
Maintain current values.
Introduce a PFI factor.
Miss H Meigh also explained that the minimum funding
guarantee (MFG) for schools would remain at 1.5%. She also
went on to explain the additional changes for 2017-18
included using new bandings for the index of deprivation
affecting children (IDACI).
Mr D Perrett said at the last schools’ forum meeting we did
discuss the proposed national changes to the schools’
formula. Why not let the current formula run for 12 months
and see what happens after the 12 months have passed.
Mr D Perrett continued by saying approval of the formula
would be required at the next forum meeting.
Mr A Brindley explained that there was a change in the IDACI
bandings which had a knock on effect on the school budgets.
Mr I Beardmore said having a PFI factor would mean we
would be better off but the figures say otherwise.
Mr A Brindley said that in the national formula schools would
basically get the same pupil value with additional funding to
-3-
support additional costs.
Mr C Ward then said when looking at option 2 some schools
gain in funding and others lose but there is no apparent
reason or understanding why.
Councillor J Bridges said it does not add up or make sense.
Mr D Perrett said we should see how the PFI review turns out
and maybe revise the formula in 12 months.
Miss H Meigh agreed but mentioned that they don’t want to
miss out on funding.
Mr D Perrett asked forum members to take this information
back to schools.
Mrs E Gater wanted to know why her school had such low
funding. Could this be explained?
Mr C Ward said that with the new national formula it doesn’t
mean Stoke schools will receive more funding.
Mr D Perrett said regarding PFI we can show the impact on
schools.
Mr C Smith said that no working group had been involved.
Would it be beneficial to have a schools formula working
group?
Miss H Meigh said that it would be very useful for the working
group to be involved.
Mr C Ward asked for volunteers.
Mr C Smith and Mr I Beardmore volunteered to be part of the
working group.
Mr D Perrett asked how much longer the government will
support MFG. What would be the impact of removing MFG?
5.
Schools’ Forum Membership
Mr D Perrett said that we were short for forum members in various
areas.
Mr A Brindley and Miss H Meigh went through the list of areas
where a representative was required.
Mr D Perrett said the 16-19’s representative could be discussed at
SASCAL.
-4-
6.
Any other business
Councillor J Bridges said working with external consultants we
have looked at the PFI contract and it is not fit for purpose. We
need to retain money while building issues are sorted
Councillor J Bridges continued by saying schools should see
improvements but if not please contact her directly. She also said It
would cost an enormous amount to get out of the contract.
Mr C Ward gave his apologies in advance for the next meeting.
7
Date of the Next Meeting
Friday 14th October 2016
08:30 am – 10.30 am
The Bridge Centre
-5-