The School Forum who are they and what do they do click here for further information
Welcome to the 16th edition of the Schools Forum Newsletter…….
In this issue, we are including key points from the Schools Forum meeting held on 29 September 2016 particularly; Staffing ratios in Nursery Schools and classes, Terms of Reference Review/Membership Update, DfE Consultations on Early Years and Free Schools and 2017/18 Funding Arrangements. A full copy of the minutes will be made available via the Council web-site in due course, see section 9 below.
Schools Forum Meeting 29 September 2016 – Key Points
1. Matters Arising from 19 May 2016 Meeting minutes
No key issues to report.
2. STAFFING RATIOS IN NURSERY SCHOOLS AND CLASSES
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: Glenda Brocklehurst presented a paper which provided insight to the Local Authority (LA) plans to change the staff ratios in nursery schools and classes in line with statutory guidance.
Decisions: Schools Forum members supportive of the proposal.
Actions:
1. Glenda to proceed with the proposal and provide any further updates to Schools Forum members as appropriate.
3. TERMS OF REFERENCE REVIEW / MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: Peter Hughes presented the report and its content along with any additional information now available post report publication which included:
John Law the current special school Headteacher representative is to be replaced. Further information relating to the new Forum representative to be provided at the next meeting.
Anne Rogowski has accepted one of the primary governor vacant posts.
Decisions: Recommendations as per the report accepted and approved.
Actions:
1. Terms of Reference document to be updated with the proposal in section 4.5;
2. Chairperson to formally write to all Schools Forum members marked (**) accordingly on Appendix 3 in relation to non-attendance at two or meetings in the 2015/16 academic year cycle; and
3. Peter Hughes to re-contact all academy leaders to seek information on who will become the third sector representative.
4. DFE CONSULTATION – FREE SCHOOLS FUNDING
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: Peter Hughes presented a formal report which provided details of the DfE consultation document relating to free schools funding.
Decisions: N/A
Actions: N/A
5. EARLY YEARS – NATIONAL FUNDING FORMULA
Report presented as tabled.
Discussions: Peter Hughes presented a report which outlined the content of the recent DfE consultation document on proposals to introduce a new national fairer funding formula for the national envelope of funding distributed to schools and details of how Stockport had considered the document and prepared a joint LA/Schools Forum response following a meeting held with a number of key stakeholders.
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
1. Further update to be provided to Schools Forum upon receipt of the DfE outcomes/further information expected later this term
6. 2017/18 FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS
Report presented as tabled.
Discussions: The report presented Schools Forum members with details of the 2017/18 funding arrangements following the ministerial announcement in July 2016 and any further updates known since (i.e. Early Years) and the LA budget setting plans/timeline for the Total Schools Budget financed predominantly via the DSG.
Decisions: N/A
Actions:
1. Primary and Secondary maintained school representatives are requested to discuss the de-delegation service areas (section 6 of report) with their wider sector colleagues and report back decision making at the December 2016 meeting.
7. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS/TRAINING
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: N/A
Decisions: N/A
8. A.O.B
a) Venue of meetings
Following a change in use of the sixth form area at Castle Hill School it is not possible to continue to use that area for our future Schools Forum meetings (as per re-location of this evenings meeting). Therefore it was discussed with members what other options existed for alternative venues?
Decision:
The remaining 2016/17 academic year Schools Forum meetings to be held at Abingdon Primary School (Postcode SK7 7ET)
9. Where do I find Schools Forum Information?
The Schools Forum meetings are held, administered and clerked in accordance with any other council meetings and the minutes are recorded and presented on the councils web-site alongside all Schools Forum business matters (i.e. reports), please find link below:
http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=159