Agenda item

Schools Forum received a report which provided the Forum with an overview of the Independent School spend and pupil numbers for 2020/21 and the budget and projected spend for 2021/22.

At the meeting held on 14th June, the Forum had requested information on the numbers of pupils occupying these provisions and the associated costs.

The data on pupil numbers had been supplied previously following the presentation of the monitoring reports and this had also been distributed outside the meetings.

The data in the report did not show any major fluctuations to previously circulated data, but it did include additional information that provided background and substance to the decisions. All data was as at 1 April 2021.

Appendix 1, to the report, showed the following: -

1.    The geographical area the educational establishment sat in

2. The school name,

3. The average cost of the placement

4. The number of pupils supported in the Summer 2020, Autumn 2020 and Spring 2021.

5. The Spend for 2020/21 for the period 1/4/20-31/3/21

6. The analysis of Category of Need for each establishment

7. The Budget for 2021/22 for the period 1/4/21-31/3/22

8. Male / Female split

There were 105 pupils on roll in Independent special schools as at 1 April 2021 and Table 1, below, showed the analysis by need, whether Sandwell schools were sent consultations prior to placement and the subsequent responses and how many pupils had already attended a specialist provision prior to being placed in an independent setting.

There were 4 positive responses from Sandwell schools and the reason for placing out of borough were: -

• 1 Tribunal direction.

• 1 Following Mediation.

• 1 Parental Preference.

• 1 In borough offer withdrawn.

There were 8 cases where Sandwell schools were not consulted and the reasons were: -

• 1 was placement in 2018 where Shenstone was at capacity, so consultations were not sent out. When it was noted that this

was happening an instruction was issued that consultations would be sent regardless of occupancy. • 1 required a therapeutic provision as part of the placement that was not available in Borough.

• 1 was a Tribunal directive.

• 3 were already attending the provision in borough where a change was being requested as needs could not be met.

• 1 was a placement in 2019 where SEN deemed the need too complex for placement at an in-borough provision. Consultations are now sent to Sandwell provisions as a matter of course.

• 1 where mainstream was not suitable at Annual Review. Consultations should have been sent to other appropriate Sandwell schools.

Schools Forum noted the contents of the report.