Schools Funding Formula MFG exemptions and weighted pupil numbers. Agenda Item 9

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1 Schools Funding Formula MFG exemptions and weighted pupil numbers Agenda Item 9

2 Schools Funding Formula Forum approval is required in 2 areas, prior to submission for approval to the EFA/secretary of state, as follows: 1. MFG exemption ensuring schools only receive the level of protection they should; and 2. Applying weighted numbers where there is a change in a schools age range or new school in September 2015.

3 MFG Exemption Requests Oundle and Kingscliffe Middle School received a split site allowance of 115k in as it operated on sites in both Oundle and Kingscliffe. The Kingscliffe site is being closed in August 2014 to allow the school to operate more effectively both financially and educationally. It would be wrong to continue the split site funding or protect this element of the schools funding in Schools Forum vote To request an MFG exemption to be applied to Oundle and Kingscliffe Middle schools split site allocation of 115k.

4 Pupil Number Adjustments The following is an extract from the EFA Operational Guidance: We (the EFA) expect authorities to request approval to vary the pupil numbers used for specific schools where: - there has been, or is going to be, a re-organisation; or - a school has changed, or is going to change, its age range either by adding or losing year groups. In these cases, they should use a weighted average* of pupil numbers, taking into account the changes in pupil numbers from the new academic year. If this is not done, we reserve the right to adjust amounts recouped to enable us to properly fund academies affected by this. (Note* weighted average is 5/12th October 2014 numbers plus 7/12 th projected October 2015 numbers)

5 Pupil Number Adjustments It is important that both maintained schools and academies are treated on a fair and consistent basis. If these increases are not funded through this route they would need potentially to be funded via the pupil growth fund and the EFA may recoup funding from us at a higher level than we have budgeted for. For Northamptonshire, the schools that we are aware of currently that have planned changes in their age range (and will have new age groups in ) financial year are provided further on in this presentation.

6 Funding Pupil Number Adjustments Funding these additional pupils is an additional cost to the ISB but new classes do require funding and teachers. The increased costs will be built into the overall ISB budget. As the authority is funded based on the previous October numbers this does create a cost pressure. Either additional funds will need to go into the ISB to fund this or it could reduce current schools existing funding rates. Free Schools are included as the DfE has consulted on these being in the DSG from April 15.

7 Pupil Number Adjustments New schools for Forum Approval Priors Hall new 2FE primary for Corby, Lodge Park new 2FE primary for Corby, Kettering East - new 2FE primary school, Goulsbra Road, Rushden new 2FE primary for Rushden south, Duston 2FE primary, and Malcolm Arnold 2FE primary.

8 Pupil Number Adjustments New Year Groups For Forum approval East Northants review Prince William, Trinity C.E. Primary, Oundle C.E. Primary, Kings Cliffe Endowed Primary, and Thrapston Primary. Other Corby Technical School, Corby Primary Academy,

9 Pupil Growth Fund The criteria for schools to receive an in year allocation from the pupil growth fund have been agreed with Forum. This applies where schools are requested to increase their pupil admission number (PAN) by the local authority or where a new school is being established by the authority. A review of the pupil growth fund and the estimated commitments will be undertaken for to identify the position in respect of this budget.

10 East Northants review New Year Groups to be Funded by the PUPIL GROWTH fund There will be some schools we will be funding through the pupil growth fund as the pupil number increases are smaller. The reason being that if solely weighted numbers were applied this would not be sufficient in to pay for the additional staff that will be required. Glapthorn CE Primary, Nassington Primary, Polebrook Primary, Titchmarsh Primary and Warmington Primary.

11 Pupil Number Adjustments Some of the above may change subject to consultation but we are requesting forums approval to submit the provisional list of schools where weighted numbers will be applied to their schools formula calculations for (see slides 7 and 8 for listing of schools) The estimated maximum potential impact on the overall schools budget from pupil number adjustments is 800k. However this includes new Free schools and academies where the EFA have indicated in their recent consultation that the first year of schools opening would not be a charge to the DSG.

12 Pupil Number Adjustments Schools Forum Vote Agree that the LA apply to the secretary of state for the schools listed (see slides 7 and 8) to have weighted numbers applied for Schools Forum are also asked to note that: The schools and numbers will be finalised in January when the final budgets for are produced. The APT return will also take account of the results of the current EFA consultation regarding non recouping academies and free schools being included in LAs DSG funding.

13 Summary of Forum votes prior to applying to the Secretary of State 1. An MFG exemption for the Oundle and Kingscliffe Middle School split site allowance (to apply to secretary of state in July) 2. Application of weighted numbers in schools formula (application to be submitted in July 2014 with details and schools to be finalised in January 2015)