Decision details

To seek agreement of the SEND top-up funding arrangements for academic year beginning September 2021.

Recommendations agreed as amended:

a)            Agree an increase of £3.2 million in Top-Up funding for Early Years settings, mainstream Primary, mainstream Secondary and Special Schools. The increase will only be available in the year 2021-2022. 

b)            Note that for Secondary Schools, the increased top-up is applicable where the formulaic approach is insufficient for schools to meet the needs of the child. This decision would not reduce the amount of Top-Up funding a Secondary school currently receives.

c)            Note that system reform is required for SEND in Oxfordshire. A public consultation on this is planned for later in 2021. The interim arrangements above for Top-Up funding are a holding position while the detailed work in this complex area are worked through.