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Devon
Education Forum (DEF) Task & Finish Group
School
Funding Challenges
Notes
of Meeting 21 November 2016
At the Devon Education Forum (DEF) meeting on 19 October 2016 it
was agreed to convene a cross-representative Task & Finish Group to
consider the present School Funding Challenges for Devon schools which met on
21 November 2016.
Discussion Points
The situation
currently facing Devon schools which, within a historically poorly funded
authority, are not in a position to face any further real cuts owing to
national and local policy decisions. Whilst any better settlement under a NFF
is welcome, details are as yet unknown and are more “jam tomorrow” whereas the
crisis is “here and now”.
A list of current
financial factors arising from national/local policy proposals and which impact
upon school budget was considered including:
- Devon’s
legacy of a poor funding settlement year on year
- Exponential
pressure and increased reliance on the High Needs Block
- Post
16 Funding - 13.6% reduction since 2010
- Early
Years - below national average funding equating to a shortfall of £3.8m
(as at Jan 16 census)
- Demographic
Growth and pressure on need for additional school places
- Cash
Flat Funding but real term cuts of at least 12% (source: Institute of
Fiscal Studies) owing to increases in employer contributions to TPS, NICs,
pay increments, general inflationary pressure, new living wage
- New
Apprenticeship Levy of 0.5% from April 2016 for all LA Maintained Schools
plus academies with Payroll of £3m+
- Proposed
removal of the Educational Services Grant from September 2017.
The serious impact,
consequences and urgency that the sum total of the above factors will have on
individual schools across Devon – irrespective of phase, size, geography or
type - was debated at length with specific examples of the many implications
and actions that will be necessary cited by school representatives from DAPH
& DASH to include feedback received at the recent DAPH Autumn Briefing
around imminent, difficult and concerning decisions to be made.
For example:
redundancy, restructure resulting in fewer classes with higher pupil numbers,
reduction in interventions, re-allocation of budget to support most vulnerable
pupils following reductions in SEN funding, little or no staff CPD, increased
applications to FIPs to name just a few and we appreciate that there are many
more.
Way Forward and Actions
Agreed
A Multi-faceted
approach was unanimously agreed with actions to be taken by Devon as a
collective force (Council Members, LA Officers, DEF Members, Phase
Associations, Schools, parents and pupils) to lobby local MPs and Government
Cabinet/ministerial Officers.
This will include:
1)
Lobbying of caucus of South West Conservative MPs with a view to
attending one of its weekly meetings.
2)
Seek support and agreement of a local MP to lead on lobbying Secretary of
State/DfE Ministers with a view to setting up a meeting to include Phase
Association representatives and to seek proposal for a parliamentary debate at
PMQs.
3)
Written communication to local MPs supported with factual data from the
Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Skills on behalf of the Local
Authority.
4)
Written communication to local MPs supported with factual data from Devon
Education Forum (DEF) membership.
5)
Written communication to local MPs supported with factual data from the
individual Phase Associations (DAPH/DASH/SHAD/DAG).
6)
Written communication to local MP(s) supported with factual data from
schools within individual constituencies across Devon.
7)
Phase Associations to consider ways in which we can engage, capture and
communicate parent/pupil voice.
8)
High profile media campaign in local press/TV to support the above
actions.
Action Required by Schools
The Local Authority is
currently modelling data which will be used as the main body of a generic Devon
letter which can be refined and personalised down to school level.
A template will be
made available for all schools to adapt and to send to their local MP.
It is proposed that
letters will be sent during the week commencing 5th December to allow
sufficient time for receipt and consideration before Parliament closes for the
Christmas Parliamentary Recess on 16th December 2016 which also coincides with
the end of term for most schools.
We will ask that
copies of all letters are shared with DAPH/DASH so that we may compile
centrally a record of communication for future reference as required.
Please look out for
further communication from DASH to include a template letter and please be
prepared to personalise your letter for dispatch to your local MP.
We strongly urge you
to support and engage in this collective campaign to address the serious
funding challenges faced by Devon schools. Thank you.
In the event of any
queries, please contact the DAPH Office:
Email | daph@devon.gov.uk
or Telephone | 01392 380518
The
DASH Executive Committee
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