School Funding Consultation 2026-27

Overview

This consultation has been considered by Schools Forum and covers the following:

• The requirement to adhere to the Schools National Funding Formula (NFF), which has been approved by Schools Forum; and
   
• A transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block, this has not been approved by Schools Forum and therefore Essex County Council is taking forward this element of the consultation.

The consultation is for all primary and secondary schools, both maintained and academies. The Essex Formula for Funding Schools 2026/27 will calculate budget allocations for maintained schools between April 2026 and March 2027 and academies between September 2026 and August 2027.

Why your views matter

Schools Forum wishes to know the view of schools to help them to form their decisions on the local authority's proposals for calculating schools budgets and transferring 1% from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block.

What happens next

The results of the consultation will be reported to a joint meeting of the Finance Review Group and High Needs Review Group on 10 November 2025. The results will help the joint meeting to decide their recommendation to Schools Forum.

Schools Forum will meet on 26 November to make their final decision on the local authority's proposals.