2026/27 School Funding Consultation for ‘High Needs Block’ and ‘Schools Block’

Overview

The Schools Forum has a duty to consult on School Funding proposals for 2026/27.

High Needs Block

The High Needs Block (HNB) is facing significant pressures arising from the growth in SEND, as measured through the increase in the number of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). 

We have seen large rises in the number of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) (up 73 % since 2020).

As in previous years it is intended to request a transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs block to contribute to the rising costs of Top Up payments to Schools.

Schools Block

Over recent years Northumberland has moved towards allocating it’s ‘School Block’ grant funding in line with National Funding Formula (NFF) figures. It is classified by the Department for Education as “mirroring” NFF Values as all Northumberland values are within 2.5% of NFF for the current year 2025/26. It would be the intention to continue to “mirror” NFF Values for 2026/27 but the extent to which we can match all NFF Values will depend on affordability.  

For 2025/26 we could not afford to full match NFF Values due to increases in FSM and related numbers, for which under the present system we would not receive additional formula funding until 2026/27.  While staying within mirroring criteria, values in some cases needed to be reduced by approximately 1% due to affordability on the basis of the actual funding allocation, to the nearest rounded values:

Your opinion is requested in the scenario that we again don’t have sufficient funding to meet full NFF Values.

Please provide your responses in relation to the following consultation questions. There is also a free text box at the end of the consultation, and we would welcome any thoughts or comments you are able to provide.

Please contact Bruce Parvin, Education and Skills Business Manager bruce.parvin@northumberland.gov.uk if you have any further queries in relation to this consultation.

The Closing Date is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday 17 December 2025.