The purpose of the Schools Forum is to provide some strategic direction to the Local Authority in particular, around the funding of Sefton schools, including;
- consideration of the schools’ formula funding;
- funding for High Needs;
- Early Years and Central Support services.
The Schools Forum has a small number of decision-making powers, mostly around schools funding, for example de-delegation of school funding, and Central provision for a range of permitted services and contingencies; and it also acts in a consultative capacity.
The Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has publish detailed guidance on the operation of a Schools Forum, including general make-up of a Forum, and its decision-making powers. In addition, there is a useful high-level summary of the powers and responsibilities. The link to these documents is provided below for information:
Membership of the Schools Forum may consist of a mixture of School and non-school representatives.
School representatives are drawn from headteachers and governors proportional to pupil numbers between Maintained and Academy schools across the phases, as well as representatives from Special Schools and PRUs.
Other external providers such as PVI Nurseries and Post 16 FE providers, LA Members and Trade Union representatives may also be represented on the Schools Forum.
Minutes and other key documentsÂ
January 2026
| 4.0 Jan 2024 Report On School Improvement |  (word 102KB) |
| School Forum Membership | (word 28KB) |
| APPENDIX 1 SB Funding changes 2026 27 | (word 27KB) |
| Appendix 2 12.01.26 |  (excel 43KB) |
| Jan 2026 SF 2026-27 DSG Funding Allocation Report | (word 127KB) |
| School Early Years Forum Notes 12.01.2026 | (word 39KB) |
| Schools Forum Agenda January 2026 | (word 36KB) |
June 2026
| Item 7 Appendix 1 for SF 0.5% school allocations | (excel 21KB) |
| item 7 Appendix 2 0.5% High Needs Data Collection | (excel 20KB) |
| Item 3 DSG Outturn Report | (word 34KB) |
| Item 4 School Balance Report 2526 | (word 32KB) |
| Item 5 Balance Control Mechanism Report | (word 35KB) |
| Item 6 Appendix 3 Scheme for Financing Schools Section 4 | (word 1.2MB) |
| Item 6 Scheme for Financing Schools report | (word 28KB) |
| Item 7 0.5% funding from High Needs 2526 allocation report | (word 42KB) |
| School Early Years Forum Notes 29 06 2026 | (word 34KB) |