Key Takeaways
- •Cornwall Schools Forum endorsed Option B for the Pupil Growth Formula 2026/27, which reduces funding amounts per school but ensures all qualifying schools receive some growth funding.
- •Primary schools approved continuing pooled funds for staff costs/maternity cover (£137k), trade union representation (£29k), and schools in financial difficulty (£135k) for 2026/27.
- •Primary schools agreed to continue de-delegating funds for Free School Meals eligibility assessments worth £10k for 2026/27.
- •Secondary maintained school representatives will be consulted via email on recommendations 9-10 due to their absence from the meeting.
- •The Forum clarified that members represent sectors rather than individual schools in response to concerns about the consultation process.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors. Read the full minutes for the official record.
The Cornwall Schools Forum began with a confirmation that no members had any declarations of interest. The Finance Analyst (DM) presented the Pupil Growth Formula 2026/27 report, noting that the item had been deferred from the December 2025 meeting to allow the preparation of an anonymised visual table of data. A briefing note containing this table, which outlined the impacts of Options A and B, had been circulated to Forum members ahead of the meeting. Members agreed that the briefing provided the necessary information for decision‑making.
Following the briefing, Valerie Royston moved, and Sean Pinhay seconded, a resolution that the Forum endorse the preferred Option B as set out in the 12 December 2025 report. The resolution was adopted, confirming that Option B would reduce the amount each school receives while still providing funding to all schools that qualify for growth funding under the usual methodology.
The Finance Analyst (DM) then presented proposals for the 2026/27 funding formula concerning de‑delegated budgets for Primary Maintained Schools, which had been deferred from the previous meeting due to the absence of Primary Maintained School representatives. Victoria Lock moved, and Valerie Royston seconded, a series of resolutions that were all carried:
1. Continue to pool funds for a Staff Costs/Supply Cover Maternity Leave fund, projected at £137 k for 2026/27.
2. Continue to pool funds for a Trade Union Representation fund, projected at £29 k for 2026/27.
3. De‑delegate resources to establish a Schools in Financial Difficulty fund, projected at £135 k for 2026/27.
4. Continue to de‑delegate Free School Meals Eligibility assessments, projected at £10 k for 2026/27.
The Forum noted that no Secondary Maintained School representatives were present, and therefore those representatives would be consulted via email on recommendations 9‑10. The Primary Maintained School representatives unanimously supported recommendation 10 as outlined in the 12 December 2025 report. The Vice‑Chairman, acting in the Chair, responded to concerns about the consultation process, reiterating that Forum members represent sectors rather than individual schools. An update was also provided on current vacancies within the Forum.
Attendance
No attendance data recorded.
Decisions
Endorsement of Preferred Option B for Pupil Growth Formula 2026/27
The council has approved Option B for the 2026/27 pupil growth formula after reviewing the report and anonymised data.
Primary Schools Staff Costs/Supply Cover Maternity Leave Fund – £137k projected 2026/27
The council decided to keep a shared maternity‑leave fund for primary schools, which is expected to have £137,000 available in the 2026‑27 financial year.
Primary Schools Trade Union Representation Fund – £29k projected 2026/27
The council will keep a combined fund to support trade‑union representation for primary schools, with about £29,000 expected for the 2026/27 year.
Primary Schools Fund for Schools in Financial Difficulty – £135k projected 2026/27
The council approved a £135,000 fund to help primary schools that are facing financial difficulties in the 2026/27 year.
Primary Schools Free School Meals Eligibility Assessments – £10k projected 2026/27
The council will keep letting schools handle free‑meal eligibility checks for primary pupils next year, using about £10,000 for it.
Related meetings
Adjacent Cornwall Schools Forum meetings:
Other meetings within a week
- Constitution and Governance Committee — Constitution and Governance Committee - 6 January 2026 (6 Jan 2026)
- Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee — Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 7 January 2026 (7 Jan 2026)
- Central Sub-Area Planning Committee — Central Sub-Area Planning Committee - 12 January 2026 (12 Jan 2026)
- Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee — Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee - 12 January 2026 (12 Jan 2026)
- Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee — Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 13 January 2026 (13 Jan 2026)
- Audit Committee — Audit Committee - 13 January 2026 (13 Jan 2026)