Durham Schools Forum

It consists of school and academy representatives, headteachers, governors, non-school members, 14-19 partnership, early years private, voluntary/independent sector providers, diocese and union representatives.

The forum meets at least four times a year and is open to the public.

It provides a means of communication between local authorities and schools on funding matters affecting schools. It must be consulted on any changes to the formula used to fund schools, and the financial effects of any proposed changes. Finally, it is consulted annually on financial issues relating to:

• pupils with special educational needs
• use of pupil referral units and education of children otherwise at school
• early years
• administration of the allocation of central government grants paid to schools via the local council
• contracts for provision of services to schools

The next meeting

The next meetings of the Durham Schools Forum will take place on: 

• Thursday 27 March 2025 - face-to-face at Durham Leadership Centre, Spennymoor, DL16 6YP
• Wednesday 25 June 2025 - online via Microsoft Teams
• Tuesday 23 September 2025 - face-to-face at Durham Leadership Centre, Spennymoor, DL16 6YP

Meetings will begin at 9.30am.

Schools forum minutes and agendas

• Schools Forum Agenda - 27 March 2025 (PDF, 10 KB)
• Item 2 - 28 January 2025 Draft Minutes (PDF, 162 KB)
• Item 3 - Outstanding Action Points (PDF, 26 KB)
• Item 4 - Executive Summary (PDF, 19 KB)
• Item 5 - Mainstream School Funding 2025-26 (PDF, 154 KB)
• Item 6 - HNB Funding and SEND and Inclusion Update (PDF, 312 KB)
• Item 7 - Review - of Schools Forum Constitution (PDF, 157 KB)
• Item 8 - Forum Membership (PDF, 127 KB)

Previous meetings

Please Contact Durham Schools Forum for papers from previous meetings.

Schools forum membership

• Forum membership - March 2025 (PDF, 127 KB)

Schools forum governance

• Constitution of the Schools Forum (PDF, 176 KB)