Hammersmith and Fulham schools are set to receive a 1.62% increase in per-pupil funding for the 2026/27 financial year, according to provisional figures discussed at the recent Schools Forum meeting. While this marks a positive step, it lags behind the national average increase of 2.48%. The increase in per-pupil funding is influenced by factors beyond the minimum levels, including the basic per pupil rate, Free School Meals Ever 6 values, and the lump sum factor, which have increased to reflect the incorporation of the Schools Budget Support Grant (SBSG) and National Insurance Contributions Grant (NICs) from 2025 to 2026. A further overall increase has been applied to school and pupil-led factors.
The provisional allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Schools Block for 2026/27 is £128.476 million, according to the Public Reports Pack. This figure, based on October 2024 census data, is expected to be updated on 19 December 2025 to include additional funding for growth and falling rolls, using October 2025 census numbers.
The funding increase comes as the Department for Education (DfE) rolls the National Insurance Contributions Grant and the Schools Budget Support Grant into the Schools Block. A baseline adjustment of £3.140 million has been made to ensure schools are not disadvantaged by this change, allocated through the basic per pupil funding factor, Free School Meals Ever 6 factor, and the lump sum factor.
The Schools Forum also discussed principles for modelling the 2026/27 school budget, including continued support for the High Needs Block (HNB) through a 1% transfer from the Schools Block, expected to be around £1.28 million. This transfer is intended for the short to medium term sustainability of the High Needs Block.
The effectiveness of early intervention work is measured by looking at applications for renewing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans), which were 5–6% lower than the national average. A disapplication request for above 0.5% level was approved by the Schools Forum in November 2025, but the outcome is not expected until January 2026. Modelling will be produced on the assumption of a 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block to support the High Needs Block, which is a requirement of the DfE pending a decision on the disapplication submission. Continued disapplication is required for the short to medium term sustainability of the High Needs Block. While the consequences of the disapplication request not being approved are not explicitly stated, it can be inferred that the High Needs Block would face financial challenges.
The modelling will also provide the budget for de-delegated budgets and the Education functions fund, which is applicable for maintained primary schools only. A consultation will open for a short period and a workshop will be held prior to the January 2026 Schools Forum.
The unit of funding allocated through the national funding formula has increased by 5.3% for the Primary phase and 3.3% for the Secondary phase from 2025/26 to 2026/27. This increase is due to the increase in the unit of funding allocated through the national funding formula. The Public Reports Pack does not state whether these increases are sufficient to cover rising costs.
According to the Public Reports Pack, every primary school will attract at least £5,115 per pupil and every secondary school at least £6,640 per pupil through the minimum per pupil funding levels.