Management Information Sheet

Thank you to all the schools and governors that took the time to complete the online survey and those that communicated their concerns to us directly, via cluster meeting discussions, correspondence to their councillors, MPs and Senior Officers. There was a very high response rate and a good range of feedback.

We have heard a number of concerns expressed by schools regarding those elements of the proposals that would result in the reduction in funding to mainstream schools and a corroboration of the risks, outlined in the fair funding report that reduced funding could have on inclusive practice.

Due to the concerns expressed by schools at the original proposals, the movement from the schools block to the high needs block has been reduced significantly to £1.8m. Schools will see no reduction in the basic per pupil amount per pupil as originally proposed. The £1.8m has been funded by the funding released from schools minimum funding guarantees, the removal of post 16 funding and an increase in pupil numbers.

There will be no reduction in the total cluster funding budget allocated to schools for 2017/18.

The revised way forward and the guiding principles to assist with restructuring the High Needs Block to meet the pressures faced, are detailed at the below link;

www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/fairfunding

The proposed funding formula changes are based on consultation with Norfolk Schools Forum, and were agreed at Childrens Services committee on 24 January 2017.

Please note that the technical papers that were provided during the Consultation process were based on historical pupil numbers and that the budget for 2017/18 will be based on October 2016 census numbers. School budget shares will be published and available for viewing at www.efs.norfolk.gov.uk by 24 February 2017.

For further information please follow the link to the "Fair Funding" section