Constitution and terms of reference
The Southwark Schools Forum is a statutory body that advises the council on issues related to school budgets, like formula funding, contracts and provision for the education of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
You can read more about the constitution and terms of reference.
High needs subgroup
This group sits within the Schools Forum. It oversees spending on children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Read the high needs subgroup terms of reference
Schools financial support panel
This panel manages 3 funding streams for the forum. Schools can apply for these when they need to cover unforeseen costs outside their normal budget.
Read the schools financial support panel terms of reference
Forum members
The forum’s membership comprises representatives of the various sectors of the education community in Southwark like:
- nursery schools
- primary schools
- secondary schools
- academies
- primary school governors
- unions
- the Diocesan authorities
The 14 to 19 sector, early years providers, pupil referral units and staff are also represented on the forum. You can read more about the Forum's membership.
Schools Forum meetings
The Schools Forum meets face-to-face 4 to 5 times a year in a location within Southwark, with scheduled meetings for the 2024/25 academic year as follows:
- 19 September 2024
- 12 December 2024
- 16 January 2025
- 20 March 2025
- 26 June 2025
All meetings commence at 2pm and run for no more than 2 hours.
Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings. If you would like to attend an upcoming Schools Forum meeting as an observer, contact the Schools Forum clerk (contact details are below).
The agenda and reports for each meeting will be displayed on this webpage at least one day before the meeting date. If you require papers before that, contact the clerk.
Schools Forum vacancies
Primary Academy Headteacher, Trust Board member, Local governing body member or a member of the Senior Leadership Team
Currently, there is one vacancy for a representative for a primary academy leadership representative.
The local authority has asked the primary academies to let us know who will be taking up those positions.
Archdiocese of Southwark Schools’ Commission (Roman Catholic)
Currently, there is one vacancy for a representative from the Archdiocese of Southwark Schools’ Commission.
The local authority has asked the commission to let us know who will be taking up this position.
Future vacancies
The following vacancies will be coming up for September 2025. The local authority will be accepting nominations after the meeting on June 26th, 2025.
Academy Secondary School Representatives x 1
Maintained Primary School Representatives
Voluntary Aided (RC and CoE) x 1
Community school Headteacher x 1
Maintained Special Schools Head Teacher Representatives x 1
Non-School Representatives
Early year providers (Private and voluntary institutions) 1
Teachers’ Professional Associations
Meeting reports for academic year 2024-2025
19 September 2024
12 December 2024
16 January 2025
20 March 2025
26 June 2025
- SF June 2025 - Agenda Schools Forum 26 June 2025 (PDF, 137.2 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 3 Schools Forum Annual Membership Update 2025.06.26 (PDF, 129.85 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 4 Previous Schools Forum Minutes 20 March 2025 (PDF, 299.9 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 6 Governance Improvement Task and Finnish Group Concluding report (PDF, 338.59 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 7 Scheme for Financing schools 2025-26 2025.06.26 (PDF, 131.41 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 7 Appendix 2 2025-26 Scheme for Financing Schools 2025.06.26 (PDF, 625.58 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 8 2024-25 Dedicated Schools Grant Outturn (PDF, 164 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 9 DSG 2024-25 Schools Outturn Balances (PDF, 203.3 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 11 Forward Plan 2025-26 and October Draft Agenda SF 26.06.25 (PDF, 122.48 KB)
- SF June 2025 - Item 11 Schools Forum Meeting Dates 2025-26 (PDF, 116.54 KB)
Useful links
You can contact Hayley Furniss (Schools Forum clerk) by:
