Lewisham schools are facing a significant financial squeeze, with overall balances dropping by £3.1 million, according to a recent Lewisham Council Schools Forum meeting. The draft schools' balances position for 2024/25 reveals a reduction from £13.0 million to £9.9 million.
The details emerged during discussions about the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and school finances. The report pack presented at the meeting highlighted that 25 schools are currently in deficit, totaling £11 million, while 17 schools have a surplus of £14.2 million.
The forum also addressed the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) outturn position for 2024/25, which showed an overspend of £3.0 million. This overspend is primarily driven by continuing pressure on the High Needs Block, which funds special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services. The cumulative DSG deficit now stands at £18.5 million.
The report pack stated that deficits should not exceed 40% of the surplus position, according to the current scheme.
Premature retirement and redundancy costs were also on the agenda. The Schools Forum sought to clarify how these costs are met, reminding schools of Lewisham Council's Funding Framework – Scheme for Financing Schools
. The framework stipulates that early retirement costs should be charged to the school's delegated budget, unless the local authority agrees otherwise in exceptional circumstances. Redundancy costs may only be met from the school's budget share if the authority has good reason
to deduct those costs.
The Schools Forum also reviewed and approved the proposed schedule of future meeting dates and the work programme for the 2025/26 financial year. New representatives Manda George, Increase Esoe, Colin Ngan, Daisy Hooper, Catherine Van Rooyen, and Mickey Kelly were welcomed to the forum.