Agenda and minutes

1.1   It was confirmed the meeting was quorate, recognising the apologies below.

Welcome to Jonty Clark (Special Academies) and Caroline Barlow (Maintained Schools Secondary Phase) to their first Schools Forum meeting.

Apologies have been received from:

Allan Pinner

Emily Winslade

Richard Blakeley

2.1   The minutes for the meeting held were agreed as a true record and will be signed by the Chair.

3.1    Matters arising - none

3.2    Declaration of interest -none

4.1 Recommendations:

This paper set the rationale for continued de-delegation of specific services and for restoring de-delegated budgets from secondary schools for those services previously not de-delegated. Information about the services, and the implications of any cessation of provision, were explained.

The Primary and Secondary maintained Schools’ Forum Representatives were asked to decide which services should be provided centrally by the Authority for 2026/27.

 4.2 Comments:

There were no comments.

Members were requested to vote on De delegation. Results as below:

5.1 Recommendation:

Nathan Caine provided an update on the current position with the High Needs Block (HNB) in respect of identified pressures.

The East Sussex Schools’ Forum representatives noted the implications of costs for maintaining the current level of placements in special schools and the risks associated with this for broader school budgets.

5.2 Comments:

Member noted that significant work has been done to support maintained schools in their provision for pupils with the aim of reducing reliance on the independent sector.

It was highlighted that many of these measures are new and their impact has yet to be seen.

The member emphasised that initiative would take time to embed and while Q1 outcomes may not appear strong, the trend could improve over time.

It was expressed that reducing resources available to school's risks limiting their ability to provide mainstream provision, creating a negative cycle. It was suggested that immediate action should be delayed until the impact of current measures can be properly assessed.

Members highlighted that schools of all sizes are facing considerable funding pressures.

It was noted that limited availability of alternative provision has led schools to create provision internally from existing budgets. It was emphasised that continually drawing from the same budget is unsustainable.

6.1 Recommendation

Hannah and Melanie Informed the schools forum members of upcoming changes to the single status pay scale resulting from the NJC pay award.

It was noted the impact of the deletion of single status 2 from 1 April 2026.

It was also noted the proposed course of action being taken to review and address the impact on recruitment and retention.

6.2 Comments

It was noted that there was a clear link between the rising cost of support staff and the need to provide for high need students.

No AOB

Meeting concluded at 09:01

Next Meeting -to be held Friday 14^th November