Agenda item

Melanie Ellis introduced the report (Agenda Item 10), which in the first section provided details of the schools in deficit during 2024/25. The second section of the report provided information on lessons learned from monitoring schools in deficit.

Ten schools had ended 2023/24 in deficit and all but one of these now had a licensed deficit for 2024/25. The remaining school was going thought the final approvals. An update would be provided on the in-year position at the next Forum meeting in January.

The main focus of the report was following a request to provide lessons learnt from deficit schools. The main reasons for schools being in deficit were set out in section five of the report. Reasons for why schools had not been able to recover deficits were set out in section six of the report followed by a good practice section covering those schools that had managed to put a good recovery in place and had either come of out deficit or were making good progress.

Trevor Keable noted that falling rolls was a reason for schools being in deficit and he highlighted that it was known nationally that rolls would be falling for the next two to three years. He queried if the LA had a plan in place on how to cope with this in terms of local schools. Neil Goddard reported that some detailed work was being undertaken on pupil place projections, which were informed by the static low birth rate and also building works/developments going on across the district. The aim was to take a long-term view of this matter in terms of the ongoing need for school provision, the financial viability of schools and the outcomes that were delivered for children and young people. This work would develop over the course of the coming year, moving towards a broader set of proposals. There was currently a report going through the political process looking at reducing the PAN at two West Berkshire Schools. Neil Goddard stated that the issue faced was recognised but it was important the process was not rushed and was conducted in an informed way. 

Michelle Harrison felt that one area not identified as a reason for schools not being able to recover a deficit was the huge increase in special educational needs. Children often came to a school without funding and had to be supported with the same level of support staff.

RESOLVED that the Schools’ Forum noted the report.