Bexley Schools Forum

Forum Business

The Schools Forum has a wide remit which covers the following topics:

School Budget Strategy

how schools are improving their financial management
levels of school credit balances and any deficits
cost pressures that schools are facing such as national pay agreements and local recruitment and retention issues

Training is provided to Schools Forum members on benchmarking. This helps members identify good practice across the country which could help schools and the local authority.

Funding Consultations

The Schools Forum is a key adviser to the Cabinet Member on any changes to the way in which the schools budget is shared amongst all Bexley schools.

Schools Block Budget

While most of the education budget is delegated to schools, the local authority retains part of the budget for the provision of central services such as Pupil Referral Units, Special Educational Needs etc. The Schools Forum can advise the Cabinet Member on the appropriate split of the budget between schools and central services.

Contracts

The Schools Forum's views are sought on how school contracts are awarded and managed, for example building contracts. They are also consulted on block contracts which the council procures and which schools can "buy into", for example provision of school meals.

Special Educational Needs

The Forum has a strategic role in advising the Cabinet Member on suitable and fair arrangements for resourcing the needs of pupils with additional and special educational needs.