The School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2023

PART 1 Introduction

Citation, commencement, application and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2023 and come into force on 14th February 2023.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to the financial year beginning on 1st April 2023.

(3) These Regulations apply in relation to England.

(4) In these Regulations—

“1989 Act” means the Children Act 1989(1);

“1996 Act” means the Education Act 1996(2);

“1998 Act” means the School Standards and Framework Act 1998;

“2002 Act” means the Education Act 2002;

“2003 Act” means the Local Government Act 2003(3);

“2005 Act” means the Education Act 2005(4);

“2006 Act” means the Education and Inspections Act 2006(5);

“2010 Act” means the Academies Act 2010(6);

“2014 Act” means the Children and Families Act 2014(7);

“2014 Regulations” means the Local Authority (Duty to Secure Early Years Provision Free of Charge) Regulations 2014(8);

“2022 Regulations” means the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2022(9);

“2017 Document” means the document entitled “Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage” published by the Secretary of State on 3rd March 2017(10);

“2021 Document” means the document entitled “Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage” published by the Secretary of State on 31st March 2021(11);

“2018 ARA” means the document entitled “2018 national curriculum assessments Key Stage 2 2018 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements”(12) containing provisions made under article 11 of the Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 2 Assessment Arrangements) (England) Order 2003(13), made under section 87(3) of the 2002 Act;

“2019 ARA” means the document entitled “2019 national curriculum assessments Key Stage 2 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements”(14) containing provisions made under article 11 of the Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 2 Assessment Arrangements) (England) Order 2003, made under section 87(3) of the 2002 Act;

“2022 ARA” means the document entitled “Key stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements”(15) containing provisions made under article 11 of the Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 2 Assessment Arrangements) (England) Order 2003, made under section 87(3) of the 2002 Act;

“academic year” means any period commencing with 1st August and ending with the next 31st July;

“administrative costs and overheads” includes—

(a)

expenditure on legal services;

(b)

expenditure in relation to the investigation and resolution of complaints;

(c)

expenditure related to functions imposed by or under Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the 1998 Act (financing of maintained schools), the administration of grants to the authority (including preparation of applications) and, where it is the authority’s duty to do so, ensuring payments are made in respect of taxation, national insurance and superannuation contributions; and

(d)

expenditure on recruitment, training, continuing professional development, performance management and personnel management of staff who are funded by expenditure not met from schools’ budget shares and who are paid for services;

“all-through schools” means those primary or secondary schools known by this title where pupils may join the school at an age of between three and five years and remain at the school until the age of between 16 and 19 years;

“capital expenditure” means expenditure of a local authority which falls to be capitalised in accordance with proper accounting practices, or expenditure treated as capital expenditure by virtue of any regulations or directions made under section 16 of the 2003 Act(16);

“central expenditure” means, in respect of the funding period, the total amount deducted by a local authority from its schools’ budget in accordance with regulation 8 or, in respect of the previous funding period, the total amount deducted by a local authority from its schools’ budget in accordance with regulation 8 of the 2022 Regulations;

“CERA” means capital expenditure which a local authority expects to charge to its revenue account within the meaning of section 22 of the 2003 Act;

“closest compatible school” means, in respect of a pupil, the school which is the closest by road from the pupil’s home and which admits pupils of the pupil’s age and sex, other than—

(a)

a selective school;

(b)

a special school(17); or

(c)

an independent school which is not an Academy school(18);

“community early years provision” means funded early years provision provided by the governing body of a maintained school under section 27(1) of the 2002 Act to children other than pupils at the school, where the local authority has chosen to fund such provision;

“Dedicated Schools Grant” means the grant of that name paid to a local authority by the Secretary of State under section 14 of the 2002 Act;

“early years block” means the amount of funding allocated to a local authority in relation to early years provision in the Dedicated Schools Grant during the funding period;

“Early Years Foundation Stage Profile” has the meaning given by section 2 of the 2017 Document or the 2021 Document as the context specifies more particularly;

“early years provision” has the meaning given by section 20 of the Childcare Act 2006(19);

“early years pupil premium” means funding supplied by the Department for Education for the purpose of early years provision to children who meet the criteria in regulation 24(2);

“EHC plan” has the meaning given by section 37(2) of the 2014 Act;

“eligibility for free school meals” means eligibility for free lunches under section 512ZB of the 1996 Act(20);

“excluded early years provision” means early years provision provided by a provider—

(a)

which is an independent school (other than an Academy school) which does not meet the standards prescribed under section 94 of the Education and Skills Act 2008(21) in relation to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school; or

(b)

which the local authority has reasonable grounds to believe—

(i)

does not actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; or

(ii)

promotes, as evidence-based, views and theories which are contrary to established scientific or historical evidence and explanations;

“expenditure on the schools specific contingency” is central expenditure deducted for the purpose of ensuring that monies are available to enable an increase in a school’s budget share after it has been allocated and where it subsequently becomes apparent that a governing body has incurred expenditure which it would be unreasonable to expect it to meet from the school’s budget share, which may include expenditure in relation to—

(a)

schools in financial difficulty;

(b)

the writing off of deficits of schools which are discontinued, excluding any associated costs and overheads;

(c)

new, amalgamating or closing schools; or

(d)

circumstances which were unforeseen when the school’s budget share was initially determined;

“funded early years provision” means—

(a)

early years provision prescribed for the purposes of section 7(1) of the Childcare Act 2006(22); and

(b)

early years provision specified for the purposes of section 2(1) of the Childcare Act 2016;

“funding period” means the financial year beginning on 1st April 2023;

“home school” means, in respect of a pupil, the school which is the closest by road from the pupil’s home and which admits pupils of the pupil’s age and sex, other than—

(a)

a special school; or

(b)

an independent school which is not an Academy school;

“hospital education” means education provided at a community special school or foundation special school established in a hospital, or under any arrangements made by the local authority under section 19 of the 1996 Act (exceptional provision of education), where the child is being provided with such education by reason of a decision made by a medical practitioner, and “hospital education places” shall be read accordingly;

“IDACI” means the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index referred to in the document entitled “The English Indices of Deprivation 2019” published by the Ministry for Housing and Local Government(23);

“integrated care board” means an integrated care board established under section 14Z25 of the National Health Service Act 2006(24);

“key stage” means the key stage of the national curriculum for England comprising the requirements and entitlements described in sections 84, 85 and 85A of the 2002 Act(25) and “key stage 1”, “key stage 2”, “key stage 3” and “key stage 4” mean, respectively, the first, second, third and fourth key stages referred to in those sections;

“Local Health Board” means a Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006(26);

“looked after child”, or, in relation to a child, “looked after”, has the meaning given by—

(a)

section 22(1) of the 1989 Act; or

(b)

section 74(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014(27);

“LSOA rank” means the rank allocated to a pupil in respect of the Lower-layer Super Output Area in which the pupil lives under IDACI;

“maintained nursery school supplement” is any amount allocated to the authority in respect of nursery schools maintained by it, notified to the authority in the early years block;

“middle school single sum formula” is where—

(a)

A is the amount allocated per school by the authority under regulation 17(2)(a) (primary single sum);

(b)

B is the number of primary-age year groups in the school;

(c)

C is the number of year groups in the school;

(d)

D is the amount allocated per school by the authority under regulation 17(3)(a) (secondary single sum); and

(e)

E is the number of secondary-age year groups in the school;

“NHS foundation trust” means an NHS foundation trust established under section 30 of the National Health Service Act 2006(28);

“NHS trust” means an NHS trust established under section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006;

“non-domestic rate” has the meaning given by section 54 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988(29);

“premises factor allocation” means—

(a)

any additional funding that would be allocated to the school by virtue of paragraphs 1 to 3 of Schedule 3; and

(b)

any additional funding that the local authority has allocated to the school which has been authorised by the Secretary of State under regulation 39(1)(h);

“previous funding period” means the financial year beginning on 1st April 2022 and “previous funding periods” means such funding periods as the context specifies more particularly;

“proper accounting practices” means those accounting practices which a local authority is required to follow by virtue of any enactment, or which, so far as they are consistent with any such enactment, are generally regarded (whether by reference to any generally recognised published code or otherwise) as proper accounting practices to be followed in the keeping of the accounts of local authorities, either generally or of the description concerned(30);

“prescribed alteration” means a prescribed alteration within the meaning of the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013(31);

“provider”, in relation to funded early years provision, includes a governing body of a maintained school or a relevant early years provider;

“prudential borrowing” means borrowing money for the purpose of facilitating the modernisation and rationalisation of the school estate, where the revenue savings expected to be achieved as a result are equal to or more than the expenditure expected to be incurred in borrowing the money;

“pupil premium” means the amount allocated by a local authority from the pupil premium grant to a school under the terms and conditions of the grant;

“pupil premium grant” is a grant of that name paid to a local authority by the Secretary of State under section 14 of the 2002 Act in respect of pupils who are entitled to a pupil premium;

“relevant early learning goals” means the early learning goals in the prime areas in section 1 of the 2017 Document (or the 2021 Document) and also the early learning goals of reading; writing; numbers; and shape, space and measures in section 1 of that document;

“relevant early years provider” means a provider of funded early years provision, other than the governing body of a maintained school;

“relevant early years provision” means funded early years provision provided by a relevant early years provider;

“risk protection arrangement” means an arrangement to cover the costs of certain liabilities arising in connection with maintained schools and their premises that is entered into between the Secretary of State and—

(a)

the governing bodies of maintained schools, (in the case of a maintained school apart from a pupil referral unit); or

(b)

the local authority, (in the case of a pupil referral unit);

“school census” means the record of individual pupil information supplied to the Secretary of State under section 537A of the 1996 Act(32);

“schools supplementary grant” means a grant of that name paid to a local authority by the Secretary of State under section 14 of the 2002 Act(33);

“second closest compatible school” means, in respect of a pupil, the school which is the second closest by road from the pupil’s home and which admits pupils of the pupil’s age and sex, other than—

(a)

a selective school;

(b)

a special school; or

(c)

an independent school which is not an Academy school;

“selective school” means a school where all the pupils in the school are selected by ability or by aptitude;

“sixth form grant” means a grant of that name paid to a local authority by the Secretary of State under section 14 of the 2002 Act in respect of sixth form pupils;

“special academy” means an educational institution which meets the requirements of section 1A(2) of the 2010 Act;

“special educational needs” has the meaning given by section 20(1) of the 2014 Act;

“specific grant” means any grant paid to a local authority under conditions which impose restrictions on the particular purposes for which the grant may be used other than—

(a)

the Dedicated Schools Grant; or

(b)

any sixth form grant;

“unavoidable costs” means costs which must be incurred by virtue of a statutory requirement;

“Year 1” means the school year(34) in which the majority of pupils attain the age of six;

“Year 2” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of seven;

“Year 3” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of eight;

“Year 4” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of nine;

“Year 5” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of 10;

“Year 6” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of 11;

“Year 7” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of 12;

“Year 8” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of 13;

“Year 9” means the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of 14.

(5) In these Regulations—

(a) a reference to a determination or redetermination of a budget share or amount to be allocated is a reference to such a determination or redetermination for the funding period, unless otherwise stated;

(b) a reference to an Academy school’s “predecessor school” is a reference to—

(i) the school that was discontinued and which that Academy school replaced; or

(ii) the maintained school which converted into that Academy school in accordance with section 4 of the 2010 Act;

(c) a reference to a “governing body” of a school includes the management committee of a pupil referral unit unless otherwise specified;

(d) a reference to an inspection under section 5 of the 2005 Act includes a reference to an inspection under section 8 of that Act (other inspections) which has been treated by the Chief Inspector as an inspection under section 5;

(e) a reference to the number of pupils at a particular key stage is a reference to the number on 6th October 2022, unless otherwise stated;

(f) a reference to disadvantaged two-year-olds in regulations 32 and 33 means—

(i) a child who is eligible for funded early years provision only by virtue of meeting the eligibility condition in regulation 3(2) of the 2014 Regulations, including any children who are aged three years who are so eligible; or

(ii) a child in respect of whom funding is allocated by virtue of regulation 16(2);

(g) a reference to “pupils or children” in regulations 16, 23 and 33 is a reference to—

(i) in respect of a nursery school, the pupils at the school;

(ii) in respect of a nursery class, the pupils in the class;

(iii) in respect of a funded early years provider, the children receiving funded early years provision from the provider;

(iv) in respect of a relevant early years provider, the children receiving relevant early years provision from the provider; and

(v) in respect of community early years provision, the children receiving such provision at the school;

(h) a reference to “pupils” includes only those pupils who are recorded on the school census as either—

(i) registered solely at that school; or

(ii) registered at more than one school, but attending that school for most of their time,

except in regulations 16, 23 and 33 where “pupil” means a registered pupil(35);

(i) a reference to “schools” in Schedule 1 includes maintained schools and Academy schools, except where the context requires otherwise;

(j) a reference to “special educational needs transport costs”, for the purposes of paragraph 2(d) of Schedule 2, is a reference to the costs of home-to-school transport for pupils with special educational needs in schools maintained by a local authority where the authority is meeting such costs because the revenue savings that will be achieved by placing such children in a school maintained by it are equal to, or greater than, the costs of such transport;

(k) a reference to “termination of employment costs”, for the purposes of paragraph 2(b) of Schedule 2, is a reference to expenditure relating to the dismissal or premature retirement of, or for the purpose of securing the resignation of, any person employed in a maintained school;

(l) a reference to “children”, for the purposes of Schedule 2, has the meaning given by section 579 of the 1996 Act;

(m) a reference to “young people”, for the purposes of Part 5 of Schedule 2, is a reference to persons who are over compulsory school age but under the age of 19.

Revocation and saving

2.  The School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2021(36) are revoked on 1st April 2023.

Amendments

3.  In regulation 8 of the Schools Forums (England) Regulations 2012(37), in each place where the words “the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2022” occur, substitute “the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2023”.

PART 2 Action to be taken by a local authority

CHAPTER 1 Determination of the non-schools education budget, schools budget, individual schools budget, and budget shares

The non-schools education budget

4.—(1) The following classes or descriptions of local authority expenditure are prescribed for the purposes of section 45A(1) of the 1998 Act and the determination of a local authority’s non-schools education budget, subject to the exceptions in regulation 7—

(a) those specified in Schedule 1;

(b) expenditure which is to be treated as part of the non-schools education budget by virtue of regulation 8(13); and

(c) any expenditure which falls outside the classes or descriptions of expenditure specified in regulation 6 and Schedule 2 (the schools budget).

(2) The expenditure referred to in paragraph (1) includes expenditure on associated administrative costs and overheads.

Initial determination of a local authority’s schools budget

5.  A local authority must, not later than28th February 2023—

(a) make an initial determination of its schools budget; and

(b) give notice of that determination to the governing bodies of the schools which it maintains.

The schools budget

6.—(1) The classes or descriptions of local authority expenditure specified in paragraph (2) and Schedule 2 are prescribed for the purposes of section 45A(2) of the 1998 Act and the determination of a local authority’s schools budget, subject to the exceptions in regulation 7.

(2) The classes or descriptions of local authority expenditure are—

(a) expenditure on the provision and maintenance of maintained schools and on the education of pupils at maintained schools;

(b) expenditure on the education of children at independent schools, non-maintained special schools, pupil referral units, at home or in hospital, and on any other arrangements for the provision of primary and secondary education for children otherwise than at schools maintained by a local authority;

(c) all other expenditure incurred in connection with the authority’s functions in relation to the provision of primary and secondary education, in so far as that expenditure does not fall within sub-paragraphs (a) or (b);

(d) expenditure on the education of—

(i) persons provided with further education who are aged under 19 and have special educational needs; and

(ii) persons provided with further education who are aged 19 or over but under 25 and are subject to an EHC plan,

in so far as that expenditure does not fall within sub-paragraphs (a) to (c); and

(e) expenditure on early years provision, in so far as that expenditure does not fall within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d).

Exceptions

7.  A local authority’s non-schools education budget or schools budget must not include the following classes or descriptions of expenditure—

(a) capital expenditure, other than—

(i) CERA;

(ii) capital expenditure appropriated to the schools budget for the purpose of funding pay arrears due to staff whose salaries are met from the schools budget;

(b) expenditure on capital financing, other than expenditure incurred—

(i) on prudential borrowing;

(ii) for the purpose of meeting the costs of financing the payment of pay arrears referred to in paragraph (a)(ii); and

(c) expenditure for the purposes of section 26 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984(38) (arrangements for patrolling school crossings).

Determination of the individual schools budget for the funding period and limit on increase in central expenditure

8.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation and not later than 28th February 2023, a local authority must deduct from its schools budget such of the classes or descriptions of planned expenditure set out in Schedule 2 as it proposes to deduct in order to determine its individual schools budget.

(2) Under paragraph (1), a local authority—

(a) must not deduct from its schools budget such of the classes or description of planned expenditure set out in Part 6 of Schedule 2; and

(b) may only deduct from its schools budget such of the classes or descriptions of planned expenditure set out in Part 7 of Schedule 2 if that deduction is to be made under paragraph (13).

(3) Expenditure referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 (historic commitments) of Schedule 2 may only be deducted by the local authority where the expenditure is to be incurred as a result of decisions taken before 1st April 2013 which commit the authority to incur expenditure in the funding period.

(4) In deducting the expenditure referred to in Part 1 of Schedule 2, a local authority must not exceed the limits referred to in paragraph 3 of Schedule 2, unless it is authorised to do so under regulation 39(1)(a).

(5) A local authority must not deduct the expenditure referred to in paragraphs 4 to 6 of Schedule 2 unless the criteria for determining the expenditure have been authorised by its schools forum under regulation 12(1), or by the Secretary of State under regulation 12(3).

(6) Except as provided for in paragraphs (13) and (14), a local authority must not deduct the expenditure referred to in Schedule 2 (other than expenditure referred to in paragraph 8 (expenditure on licences), Part 5 (children and young people with high needs) and Part 8 (deficit from previous funding period)) without authorisation from its schools forum under regulation 12(1), or from the Secretary of State under regulation 12(3).

(7) Where a local authority has expenditure falling within Part 8 of Schedule 2, it must—

(a) deduct all of that expenditure from its schools budget;

(b) deduct such part of that expenditure as the authority may determine and carry forward the remaining part to the next funding period; or

(c) carry forward all of that expenditure to the next funding period.

(8) A local authority may apply to the Secretary of State for authorisation under regulation 39(1) to disregard the requirements in paragraph (7).

(9) Any amount of expenditure which was deducted under paragraphs 4 (growth fund), 5 (falling rolls), 6 (new schools), and 7 (extra infant classes) of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Regulations for the previous funding period and which remains unspent may be used by the local authority in the funding period for the purposes listed in paragraphs 4 to 7 of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Regulations that applied to such expenditure.

(10) A local authority must deduct the expenditure referred to in paragraph 32 of Schedule 2.

(11) Where a local authority treated any expenditure described in Part 6 of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Regulations (items that may be removed from maintained schools’ budget shares – primary and secondary schools) as central expenditure for the previous funding period under regulation 11(5) of the 2022 Regulations and any such amounts remain unspent, such amounts may be used by the local authority in the funding period for the purposes listed in Part 6 of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Regulations that applied to such expenditure.

(12) A local authority may apply to the Secretary of State for authorisation under regulation 39(1) to—

(a) deduct from its schools budget any expenditure falling outside the classes or descriptions of planned expenditure in Schedule 2, in order to determine its individual schools budget; and

(b) alter the operation of regulation 11(3) (additional costs of pupils with special educational needs).

(13) A local authority may deduct the expenditure specified in paragraph (14) from the schools budget without authorisation from its schools forum under regulation 12(1), or from the Secretary of State under regulation 12(3), in which case it must be treated as if it were part of the non-schools education budget, prescribed in regulation 4.

(14) The specified expenditure, for the purposes of paragraph (13) is the description of expenditure referred to in—

(a) paragraphs 9 to 12 of Schedule 2;

(b) Part 3 of Schedule 2; and

(c) Part 7 of Schedule 2.

(15) References to planned expenditure in this regulation and Schedule 2 are references to that expenditure net of—

(a) all related specific grants;

(b) all related fees, charges and income; and

(c) any funding received from the Secretary of State in respect of a charge payable by a local authority under a private finance transaction, as defined in regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance) Regulations 1997(39).

(16) The expenditure referred to in Schedule 2 includes expenditure on associated administrative costs and overheads.

Consultation

9.—(1) In determining the formulae under regulation 10, a local authority may change the formulae which it determined under regulation 10 of the 2022 Regulations.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), a local authority must consult its schools forum and schools maintained by it about any proposed changes under paragraph (1), in relation to the factors and criteria taken into account, and the methods, principles and rules adopted.

(3) Where a local authority proposes to make changes under paragraph (1) which will affect relevant early years providers in its area, it must also consult those providers in relation to the factors and criteria taken into account, and the methods, principles and rules adopted.

(4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to changes made relating to matters referred to in regulation 34 (sixth form funding) or 37 (excluded pupils).

(5) A local authority must consult its schools forum before incurring any of the expenditure referred to in paragraphs 4 to 6 of Schedule 2.

Formulae for determination of budget shares etc. for certain maintained schools and early years providers

10.—(1) A local authority must, before the beginning of the funding period and after carrying out any consultation required by regulation 9(2), decide on the formula which it will use to determine the budget shares for schools which it maintains (other than special schools, pupil referral units and nursery schools, and in relation to nursery classes in schools maintained by it).

(2) A local authority must use the formula determined under paragraph (1) in all determinations of school budget shares in respect of the funding period.

(3) A local authority must, before the beginning of the funding period and after carrying out any consultation required by regulation 9(2) or (3), decide on the formula which it will use to determine—

(a) the budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) the amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) the amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area; and

(d) the amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it.

(4) A local authority must use the formula determined under paragraph (3) when making all the determinations referred to in paragraph (3)(a) to (d) in respect of the funding period.

(5) A local authority must ensure, in the formula determined under paragraph (3), that the predicted total number of hours calculated under regulation 23(1) is multiplied by a rate.

(6) The rate referred to in paragraph (5) must be the same rate used in all determinations referred to in paragraph (3)(a) to (d).

(7) A local authority may not change its formulae after the funding period has begun.

(8) The formulae must be determined in accordance with Part 3 of these Regulations.

Determination of allocation of budget shares etc. for the funding period

11.—(1) Except as provided for in paragraphs (2), (4) and (9), not later than 28th February 2023, a local authority must determine the budget share for each school which it maintains, using the formula referred to in regulation 10(1) in accordance with Part 3 of these Regulations.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any determination of amounts to be included in budget shares under regulation 34 (sixth form funding) and in relation to such determination the local authority must make the determination and notify the school to which the determination relates within a reasonable period after the notification given by the Secretary of State under regulation 34(1).

(3) When making the determination under paragraph (1) the local authority must identify within each budget share an amount calculated by reference to the requirements, factors and criteria specified in Part 3 which are relevant to pupils with special educational needs; such amount must be calculated using a threshold sum of £6,000 per pupil below which the school will be expected to meet the additional costs of pupils with special educational needs from its budget share.

(4) Not later than 28th February 2023, a local authority must determine the budget share for each of the special schools and pupil referral units maintained by it in accordance with Part 3 of these Regulations.

(5) After the local authority has made a determination under paragraph (1) but before giving notice under paragraph (10), the authority may apply to its schools forum under regulation 12(1), or to the Secretary of State under regulation 12(2), for authorisation to redetermine schools’ budget shares by removing any of the expenditure referred to in Part 6 (items that may be removed from maintained schools’ budget shares – primary and secondary schools) of Schedule 2 from the budget shares of—

(a) all primary schools other than nursery schools;

(b) all secondary schools; or

(c) all primary schools other than nursery schools, and all secondary schools,

where the expenditure is instead to be treated as if it were part of central expenditure.

(6) After the local authority has made a determination under paragraph (1) or (4) but before giving notice under paragraph (10), the authority may apply to its schools forum under regulation 12(1), or to the Secretary of State under regulation 12(2), for authorisation to redetermine schools’ budget shares by removing any of the expenditure referred to in Part 7 (items that may be removed from maintained schools’ budget shares – primary, secondary, and special schools, and pupil referral units) of Schedule 2 from the budget shares of the schools specified in paragraph (7), where the expenditure is instead to be treated as if it were part of central expenditure.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6), the specified schools are all primary schools other than nursery schools, all secondary schools, and all special schools and pupil referral units.

(8) Where the local authority makes an application under paragraph (6), the amount by which the budget share is to be redetermined, except in relation to the expenditure referred to in paragraph 53 in Part 7 of Schedule 2 (expenditure incurred for the purposes of supporting the improvement of standards in maintained schools), must be set out—

(a) in the case of a maintained school which is not a special school, on an amount per pupil basis; and

(b) in the case of a maintained school which is a special school, or a pupil referral unit, on an amount per place basis.

(9) Not later than 31st March 2023, a local authority must determine—

(a) the budget share for each of the nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) the amount to be allocated in respect of each nursery class in schools maintained by it;

(c) the amount to be allocated to each relevant early years provider in its area; and

(d) the amount to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

using the formula referred to in regulation 10(3) in accordance with Part 3 of these Regulations.

(10) Not later than 31st March 2023, a local authority must give notice of—

(a) each budget share or amount determined under paragraphs (1), (4) and (9); or

(b) the redetermined budget share, when the budget share has been redetermined under paragraph (5) or (6),

to the governing body of the school or the relevant early years provider concerned.

(11) Save as provided in this regulation and in regulations 23 (special arrangements for pupils in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes and children receiving relevant early years provision), 26 (risk protection arrangement), 27 (differential funding), 34 (sixth form funding), 35 (new schools, merged schools and closing schools), 36 (federated schools), 37 (excluded pupils), 38 (correction of errors and non-domestic rates) and 39 (alternative arrangements), the authority must not redetermine a school’s budget share or the amount allocated to a relevant early years provider.

CHAPTER 2 Further deductions and variations to limits authorised by schools forums or the Secretary of State

Applications to the schools forum and the Secretary of State

12.—(1) On the application of a local authority, its schools forum may authorise—

(a) the criteria for determining expenditure referred to in paragraphs 4 to 6 of Schedule 2, under regulation 8(5);

(b) the reduction during the funding period of any amount of expenditure deducted in accordance with regulation 8(5);

(c) the making of deductions from the authority’s schools budget of expenditure under regulation 8(6);

(d) the redetermination of schools’ budget shares by removal of any of the expenditure referred to in Part 6 (items that may be removed from maintained schools’ budget shares – primary and secondary schools) of Schedule 2 from schools’ budget shares where it is instead to be treated by the authority as if it were part of central expenditure, under regulation 11(5); and

(e) the redetermination of schools’ budget shares by removal of any of the expenditure referred to in Part 7 (items that may be removed from maintained schools’ budget shares - primary, secondary, and special schools, and pupil referral units) of Schedule 2 from schools’ budget shares where it is instead to be treated by the authority as if it were part of central expenditure, under regulation 11(6).

(2) Where—

(a) a schools forum does not authorise any of the matters referred to in paragraph (1); or

(b) a local authority is not required to establish a schools forum for its area,

the authority may apply to the Secretary of State for such authorisation.

(3) On the application of a local authority under paragraph (2), the Secretary of State may authorise the matters referred to in paragraph (1).

PART 3 Determination of budget shares etc.

CHAPTER 1 Requirements, and factors and criteria taken into account

Pupil numbers

13.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary and secondary schools, except in respect of nursery classes, a local authority must ascertain and take into account in its formula the number of pupils who were at those schools in accordance with paragraph (2) on the date specified in paragraph (3).

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the number of pupils is A – B where—

(a) A is the total number of pupils in the school; and

(b) B is the number of pupils in the school in respect of whom sixth form grant is payable.

(3) The date for ascertaining pupil numbers is 6th October 2022.

(4) Where—

(a) there is or may be an increase to the published admission number at the school; or

(b) the school is subject to a prescribed alteration that may lead to an increase in the number of pupils at the school,

the authority may, instead of ascertaining pupil numbers on 6th October 2022, include an estimate of pupil numbers.

(5) A local authority must include in its formula a single per pupil amount for each of the pupils—

(a) in reception classes and at key stages 1 and 2;

(b) at key stage 3; and

(c) at key stage 4.

(6) Where a primary school had more pupils in reception classes on 20th January 2022 than on 7th October 2021, the local authority may take the number of additional pupils into account in its formula, and where it does so this factor must be applied to all primary schools in the area.

(7) In this regulation, “published admission number” means the number of pupils in any relevant age group at the school determined by the admission authority under sections 88C and 88D of the 1998 Act(40).

Places

14.—(1) In determining budget shares for special schools, a local authority—

(a) must include £10,000 for each place other than—

(i) hospital education places; and

(ii) places for those who are over 18, unless they are aged 19 and are continuing to attend a particular course of secondary education which they began before they reached the age of 18; and

(b) must not include funding for places described in sub-paragraph (a)(ii).

(2) In determining budget shares for primary or secondary schools maintained by the local authority, with places which the authority has reserved for children with special educational needs, a local authority must—

(a) in the case of a place that was taken by a pupil on 6th October 2022, include £6,000 per place; and

(b) in all other cases except hospital education places, include £10,000 per place.

(3) In determining budget shares for pupil referral units, a local authority must include £10,000 for each place other than hospital education places.

(4) Paragraph (3) applies to places to be commissioned by schools or directly by a local authority.

(5) For each hospital education place referred to in paragraphs (1) to (3) the local authority must include at least the equivalent amount per hospital education place which the authority included in the budget share of the school or pupil referral unit, as the case may be, in the previous funding period.

(6) In determining budget shares under this regulation, a local authority must ensure that it funds places which may be taken by children who are not ordinarily resident in their area.

Social deprivation for primary and secondary schools

15.—(1) In determining budget shares for schools maintained by it (other than special schools, pupil referral units and nursery schools), a local authority must take into account in its formula the following factors based on the incidence of social deprivation in pupils at the schools maintained by it.

(2) The authority must base the incidence of social deprivation referred to in paragraph (1) on the following—

(a) a pupil’s eligibility for free school meals on 6th October 2022;

(b) a pupil’s eligibility for free school meals recorded in any school census between and including Spring 2017 and Autumn 2022; and

(c) a pupil’s LSOA rank on 6th October 2022,

and where it is based on an LSOA rank the authority must use factors which differentiate between different LSOA bands (that is, groupings of LSOA ranks set out in the document published by the Department for Education named “Schools Operational Guide 2023 to 2024”(41)).

(3) In determining budget shares under paragraph (1), the authority must take into account in its formula—

(a) in reception classes and at key stages 1 and 2, a single per pupil amount for each pupil in respect of—

(i) a pupil’s eligibility for free school meals on 6th October 2022;

(ii) a pupil’s eligibility for free school meals recorded in any school census between and including Spring 2017 and Autumn 2022; and

(iii) a pupil’s LSOA rank on 6th October 2022; and

(b) at key stages 3 and 4, a single per pupil amount for each pupil in respect of—

(i) a pupil’s eligibility for free school meals on 6th October 2022;

(ii) a pupil’s eligibility for free school meals recorded in any school census between and including Spring 2017 and Autumn 2022; and

(iii) a pupil’s LSOA rank on 6th October 2022.

Social deprivation for early years

16.—(1) Subject to regulation 33, other than in respect of children who are aged two years, in determining—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area; and

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority must take into account in its formula one or more factors based on the incidence of social deprivation in pupils or children, and the determination of the incidence of social deprivation must be based on the characteristics of the pupils or children and not on the location of the school or provider.

(2) In respect of children who are aged two years, in determining—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area; and

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority may take into account in its formula one or more factors based on the incidence of social deprivation in pupils or children, and the determination of the incidence of social deprivation must be based on the characteristics of the pupils or children and not on the location of the school or provider.

Lump sums for primary and secondary schools

17.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary and secondary schools (other than special schools, pupil referral units, and nursery schools), a local authority must ascertain and take into account in its formula the following factors.

(2) A single sum for primary schools—

(a) other than middle schools, of an equal amount to be given to each school of up to £175,000 per school; and

(b) which are middle schools, of an amount to be calculated per school in accordance with the middle school single sum formula.

(3) A single sum for secondary schools—

(a) other than middle schools, of an equal amount to be given to each school of up to £175,000 per school; and

(b) which are middle schools, of an amount to be calculated per school in accordance with the middle school single sum formula.

Low prior attainment factor

18.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary and secondary schools (other than special schools, pupil referral units, and nursery schools), a local authority must ascertain and take into account in its formula the following factors.

(2) In respect of pupils at key stages 1 and 2, a single per pupil amount based on the total of—

(a) the number of pupils in Years 1, 4, 5, and 6 who did not achieve the expected development in relation to the relevant early learning goals in the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile under the 2017 Document or the 2021 Document; and either

(b) where a school has pupils in Year 4, the number produced by multiplying together—

(i) the proportion of pupils in that year in the school who did not achieve that expected development; and

(ii) the total number of pupils in Years 2 and 3 in the school; or

(c) where a school has no pupils in Year 4, the number produced by multiplying together—

(i) either—

(aa) the proportion of pupils in Year 4 in all the maintained schools (other than special schools and pupil referral units) and Academy schools (other than special academies and alternative provision Academies) in the local authority’s area who did not achieve that expected development; or

(bb) the proportion of pupils in Year 3 in the school in the previous year, or, if there were no pupils in Year 3 in the school in the previous year, the proportion of pupils in Year 2 in the school in the year before the previous year, who did not achieve the expected development in that previous year, or, as the case may be, the year before that previous year; or

(cc) the proportion of pupils who did not achieve that expected development who were assessed under the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile assessment in 2022; and

(ii) the total number of pupils in Years 2 and 3 in the school.

(3) In respect of pupils at key stages 3 and 4, a single per pupil amount based on the total of—

(a) the number produced by multiplying the total of the following number of pupils by 0.64—

(i) the number of pupils assessed under the 2018 ARA as achieving a scaled score of 99 or lower in the mathematics or English reading tests (or both) referred to in section 4 of the 2018 ARA; and

(ii) the number of pupils not falling within paragraph (i) who were given a teacher assessment standard of ‘working towards the expected standard’, or lower, in English writing, referred to in section 7 of the 2018 ARA; and

(b) the number produced by multiplying the total of the following number of pupils by 0.65—

(i) the number of pupils assessed under the 2019 ARA as achieving a scaled score of 99 or lower in the mathematics or English reading tests (or both) referred to in section 5 of the 2019 ARA; and

(ii) the number of pupils not falling within paragraph (i) who were given a teacher assessment standard of ‘working towards the expected standard’, or lower, in English writing, referred to in section 8 of the 2019 ARA; and either

(c) where a school has pupils in Year 10, the number produced by multiplying together the total of the following number of pupils by 0.65—

(i) the proportion of pupils in that year who fell within sub-paragraph (b)(i) or (ii); and

(ii) the total number of pupils in Years 8 and 9 in the school; or

(d) where a school has no pupils in Year 10, the number produced by multiplying together the total of the following number of pupils by 0.65—

(i) either—

(aa) the proportion of pupils to whom paragraph (3)(b) applies who were assessed under the 2019 ARA in the last year in which the school had pupils from that cohort; or

(bb) the proportion of pupils in that year in all the maintained schools (other than special schools and pupil referral units) and Academy schools (other than special academies and alternative provision Academies) in the local authority’s area who fell within sub-paragraph (b)(i) or (ii); or

(cc) the proportion of pupils to whom paragraph (3)(e) applies who were assessed under the 2022 ARA multiplied by 0.54 and then divided by 0.65; and

(ii) the total number of pupils in Years 8 and 9 in the school; and

(e) the number produced by multiplying the total of the following number of pupils by 0.54—

(i) the number of pupils assessed under the 2022 ARA as achieving a scaled score of 99 or lower in the mathematics or English reading tests (or both) referred to in section 5 of the 2022 ARA; and

(ii) the number of pupils not falling within paragraph (i) who were given a teacher assessment standard of “working towards the expected standard”, or lower, in English writing, referred to in section 8.3 of the 2022 ARA.

English as an additional language

19.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary and secondary schools (other than special schools, pupil referral units, and nursery schools), a local authority must ascertain and take into account in its formula the following factors.

(2) A single per pupil amount for each pupil, based on the number of pupils in Year 1, Year 2 and at key stage 2 whose first language is not English, where the pupil was not recorded as attending a school or schools in England on any school census before 1st October 2020.

(3) A single per pupil amount for each pupil, based on the number of pupils at key stages 3 and 4 whose first language is not English, where the pupil was not recorded as attending a school or schools in England on any school census before 1st October 2020.

Mobility factor

20.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary and secondary schools (other than special schools, pupil referral units, and nursery schools), a local authority must ascertain and take into account in its formula the following factors.

(2) Where the total number of pupils to whom paragraph (3) applies is more than 6% of the total number of pupils at key stages 1 and 2 in the school, a single per pupil amount for every pupil in excess of that 6%.

(3) This paragraph applies to pupils at key stages 1 and 2 who—

(a) joined the school in the previous three academic years and were first recorded on the school census in a spring or summer term; or

(b) where the school was open before 17th January 2020, were not recorded on the school census of that date but were first recorded on the school census of 1st October 2020 as having an entry date after 17th January 2020 and before 22nd May 2020,

excluding pupils who joined the school in the nursery class, if the school has such a class, and pupils who were first recorded on the school census in a spring term who were in a reception class at that time.

(4) Where the total number of pupils to whom paragraph (5) applies is more than 6% of the total number of pupils at key stages 3 and 4 in the school, a single per pupil amount for every pupil in excess of that 6%.

(5) This paragraph applies to pupils at key stages 3 and 4 who—

(a) joined the school in the previous three academic years and were first recorded on the school census in a spring or summer term; or

(b) where the school was open before 17th January 2020, were not recorded on the school census of that date but were first recorded on the school census of 1st October 2020 as having an entry date after 17th January 2020 and before 22nd May 2020.

The London fringe

21.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary and secondary schools (other than special schools, pupil referral units, and nursery schools), a local authority must ascertain and take into account in its formula the following factor.

(2) Differential costs at schools in the county councils of Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent or West Sussex (“the London fringe area”) due to schools in those county councils being in different London salary weighting areas.

The sparsity factor

22.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary schools (other than special schools, pupil referral units, and nursery schools), a local authority must ascertain and take into account in its formula the following factors.

(2) In respect of all primary schools to which paragraph (3) applies, other than those which are middle schools or all-through schools, an amount (“final value”) calculated in accordance with paragraphs (4) to (6).

(3) This paragraph applies where—

(a) in respect of those pupils for whom the school is their home school, the number which represents the average of the road distances between each pupil’s home and their second closest compatible school is greater than 80% of a distance determined by the local authority, which must not be less than two miles, and the same distance must be applied to all such schools; and

(b) the number which represents the average size of a year group at the school (derived by dividing the number of pupils by the number of year groups) is less than a number determined by the local authority as applying to all such schools, which must be no more than 21.4.

(4) First, the year-group weighting is calculated in accordance with whichever one of the following methods the local authority prefers—

(a) a value of 1, with each school being allocated the same weighting;

(b) a value of the amount (1 – A/B); or

(c) a value determined as follows—

(i) if A is less than 0.5 x B, the value of 1;

(ii) if A is equal to or more than 0.5 x B, the value of 1 x (1 – ((A – (0.5 x B)) / (0.5 x B))).

(5) Next, a distance weighting is calculated in accordance with whichever of the following methods the local authority prefers—

(a) a value of 1, with each school being allocated the same weighting; or

(b) a value determined as follows—

(i) if D is equal to or greater than C, the value of 1;

(ii) if D is less than C but greater than 0.8 x C, the value of 1 – (C – D) / (0.2 x C).

(6) The final value is the amount given by multiplying the year-group weighting, the distance weighting and the lump-sum funding for sparsity determined by the local authority and that lump sum must not exceed £100,000.

(7) The local authority must use the same method of calculating the final value in accordance with paragraphs (4) to (6) in respect of all schools to which paragraph (3) applies.

(8) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) to (7)—

• A is the number which represents the average size of a year group at the school (derived by dividing the number of pupils by the number of year groups);

• B is the number determined by the authority in accordance with paragraph (3)(b);

• C is the number determined by the authority in accordance with paragraph (3)(a);

• D is the number which represents the average road distance for the school (calculated by identifying all the pupils for whom the school is their closest compatible school and calculating the average road distance from these pupils’ home postcodes to their second closest compatible school).

(9) Where paragraph (10) applies in respect of secondary schools, primary schools which are middle schools and primary schools which are all-through schools, an amount (“final value”) calculated in accordance with paragraphs (11) to (13).

(10) This paragraph applies where—

(a) in respect of those pupils for whom the school is their home school, the number which represents the average of the road distances between each pupil’s home and their second closest compatible school is greater than 80% of a distance determined by the local authority which must not be less than—

(i) two miles in respect of middle schools;

(ii) two miles in respect of all-through schools; and

(iii) three miles in respect of secondary schools other than middle schools or all-through schools; and

(b) the number which represents the average size of a year group at the school (derived by dividing the number of pupils by the number of year groups) is less than a number determined by the local authority, which must be no more than—

(i) 69.2 in respect of middle schools;

(ii) 62.5 in respect of all-through schools; and

(iii) 120 in respect of secondary schools other than middle schools or all-through schools,

and the same number must be applied to all the schools of each type listed in this paragraph.

(11) First, the year-group weighting is calculated in accordance with whichever one of the following methods the local authority prefers—

(a) a value of 1, with each school being allocated the same weighting;

(b) a value of the amount (1 – A/B); or

(c) a value determined as follows—

(i) if A is less than 0.5 x B, the value of 1;

(ii) if A is equal to or more than 0.5 x B, the value of 1 x (1– ((A – (0.5 x B)) / (0.5 x B))).

(12) Next, a distance weighting is calculated in accordance with whichever of the following methods the local authority prefers—

(a) a value of 1, with each school being allocated the same weighting; or

(b) a value determined as follows—

(i) if D is equal to or greater than C, the value of 1;

(ii) if D is less than C but greater than 0.8 x C, the value of 1 – (C – D) / (0.2 x C).

(13) The final value is the amount given by multiplying the year-group weighting, the distance weighting and the lump-sum funding for sparsity determined by the local authority and that lump sum must not exceed £100,000.

(14) The local authority must use the same method of calculating the final value in accordance with paragraphs (11) to (13) in respect of all schools to which paragraph (10) applies.

(15) For the purposes of paragraphs (9) to (14)—

• A is the number which represents the average size of a year group at the school (derived by dividing the number of pupils by the number of year groups);

• B is the number determined by the authority in accordance with paragraph (10)(b);

• C is the number determined by the authority in accordance with paragraph (10)(a);

• D is the number which represents the average road distance for the school (calculated by identifying all the pupils for whom the school is their closest compatible school and calculating the average road distance from these pupils’ home postcodes to their second closest compatible school).

Special arrangements for pupils in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes and for children receiving relevant early years provision and community early years provision

23.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs of this regulation, in determining—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area; and

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority must take into account in its formula the predicted total number of hours of attendance of pupils or children, basing the calculation on the most recent data available about the actual numbers of pupils or children.

(2) When further information about hours of attendance becomes available a local authority must—

(a) review the budget share for each nursery school maintained by it, the amount allocated in respect of each nursery class and the amount allocated in respect of community early years provision; and

(b) redetermine that budget share or amount allocated, as the case may be.

(3) When carrying out a review and redetermination under paragraph (2) the local authority must—

(a) in the case where the local authority decides to fund only funded early years provision, take into account—

(i) the predicted total number of hours of attendance of pupils in the nursery school or nursery class, and of children being provided community early years provision, who will receive funded early years provision during the period (basing the calculation on the actual hours of such attendance in each of at least three sample weeks); or

(ii) the actual total number of hours of such attendance for the period; or

(b) in the case where the local authority decides to fund funded early years provision and early years provision in excess of funded early years provision, take into account—

(i) the predicted total number of hours of attendance of pupils in the nursery school or nursery class, and of children being provided community early years provision, who will receive early years provision during the period (basing the calculation on the actual hours of such attendance in each of at least three sample weeks); or

(ii) the actual total number of hours of such attendance for the period.

(4) When further information about hours of attendance becomes available, a local authority must—

(a) review the amount allocated to each relevant early years provider; and

(b) redetermine the amount allocated.

(5) When carrying out a review and redetermination under paragraph (4) the local authority must take into account—

(a) the predicted total number of hours of attendance of children who will receive funded early years provision from the relevant early years provider, during the period (basing the calculation on the actual hours of such attendance in each of at least three sample weeks); or

(b) the actual total numbers of hours of such attendance for the period.

(6) Within 28 days of making any redetermination under paragraph (2)(b) or (4)(b), the local authority must give notice of the redetermination and the date on which it will be implemented to the governing body of the school, or the relevant early years provider concerned.

(7) When making determinations and redeterminations under the preceding paragraphs of this regulation, a local authority may weight the predicted total number of hours of attendance of pupils or children, according to the special educational needs of any such pupils or children.

(8) When determining—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area;

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority may take into account in its formula the number of places it wishes to fund in the school, class or provider (instead of the predicted total number of hours of attendance), where the authority has reserved those places for children with special educational needs or children in need.

(9) In paragraph (8) “children in need” means children within the area of a local authority in respect of whom that local authority must provide a range of services appropriate to their needs under section 17 of the 1989 Act.

Early years pupil premium

24.—(1) When determining—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area;

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority must include in the amount to be allocated an amount equivalent to 60 pence for each child eligible who is eligible for early years pupil premium, for each hour of early years provision that the child receives, up to a maximum of 570 hours.

(2) A child is eligible for early years pupil premium if the child—

(a) is eligible for funded early years provision under regulation 3(3) of the 2014 Regulations;

(b) receives at least one hour of such provision; and

(c) either—

(i) the child’s parents are receiving one or more of the benefits in paragraph (3); or

(ii) the child has previously been looked after by a local authority and is no longer so looked after as a result of the making of an order in paragraph (4).

(3) The benefits are—

(a) universal credit where the child’s parent has, in the relevant period, earned income not exceeding the applicable amount;

(b) income support;

(c) income-based jobseeker’s allowance;

(d) income-related employment and support allowance;

(e) support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;

(f) the guaranteed element of state pension credit;

(g) child tax credit (where the recipient is not also entitled to working tax credit and has an annual gross income of no more than £16,190); and

(h) working tax credit run-on(42).

(4) The orders are—

(a) an adoption order within the meaning given by section 46(1) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002(43);

(b) a special guardianship order within the meaning given by section 14A(1) of the 1989 Act(44); and

(c) a child arrangements order within the meaning given by section 8(1) of the 1989 Act(45) which consists of, or includes, arrangements relating to either or both of the following—

(i) with whom the child is to live;

(ii) when the child is to live with any person.

(5) A local authority must include in the amount to be allocated for relevant early years provision or community early years provision in its area an amount of £342 (equivalent to 60 pence multiplied by 570) for each looked after child aged three or four years in the local authority’s area.

(6) The allocation referred to in paragraph (5) must be managed by the local authority’s designated virtual school head for the benefit of the educational needs of the relevant looked after children as described in their personal education plans (that is, plans relating to the children’s education and training, including as far as is relevant and reasonably practicable the information in paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010(46)).

(7) In paragraph (6), “virtual school head” means a person appointed by a local authority under section 22(3B) of the 1989 Act(47) for the purpose of discharging the local authority’s duty set out in section 22(3A) of that Act (duty to promote the educational achievement of children looked after by the authority).

(8) No early years provider may receive an amount of more than £342 per child under this regulation.

(9) A child eligible for early years pupil premium continues to be so eligible notwithstanding any change in circumstances which would otherwise result in paragraph (2)(c)(i) ceasing to be satisfied, or, in the case of paragraph (3)(a), the earned income of the child’s parent subsequently exceeding the applicable amount.

(10) In this regulation—

(a) “child tax credit” means child tax credit under section 1(1)(a) of the Tax Credits Act 2002(48);

(b) “earned income” means income for the purposes of Chapter 2 of Part 6 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013(49);

(c) “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” has the meaning given by section 1(4) of the Jobseekers Act 1995(50);

(d) “income-related employment and support allowance” means an income-related allowance under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007(51);

(e) “income support” means income support under section 124 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(52);

(f) the relevant assessment period and the applicable amount are those referred to in the following sub-paragraphs as applicable—

(i) except where paragraphs (ii) or (iii) apply, where the parent had earned income which did not exceed £616.67 in the universal credit assessment period(53) immediately preceding the date of the request for early years pupil premium (period 1)—

(aa) the relevant assessment period is period 1; and

(bb) the applicable amount is £616.67;

(ii) this paragraph applies where paragraph (i) does not because the applicable amount referred to in that paragraph is exceeded and there is a universal credit assessment period (period 2) immediately preceding period 1 referred to in that paragraph—

(aa) the relevant assessment period is the sum of period 1 and period 2 (SAP); and

(bb) the applicable amount is £1,233.34;

(iii) this paragraph applies where paragraph (ii) does not because the applicable amount referred to in that paragraph is exceeded and there is a universal credit assessment period (period 3) immediately preceding period 2 referred to in that paragraph—

(aa) the relevant assessment period is the period made up of SAP and period 3; and

(bb) the applicable amount is £1,850;

(g) where the parent referred to in paragraph (3)(a) is—

(i) a member of a couple who have jointly made a claim for, and are in receipt of, universal credit; or

(ii) a member of a couple but has claimed, and is in receipt of, universal credit as a single person,

references to applicable amounts in paragraphs (i) to (iii) of sub-paragraph (f) as applicable are to be read as references to the combined income of the couple;

(h) “parent” has the meaning given by section 2(2) of the Childcare Act 2006;

(i) “state pension credit” means state pension credit under section 1 of the State Pension Credit Act 2002(54), and the “guaranteed element” of state pension credit means the guarantee credit under section 2 of that Act;

(j) “universal credit” means universal credit under section 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012(55);

(k) “working tax credit” means working tax credit under section 1(1)(b) of the Tax Credits Act 2002.

Disability access fund

25.—(1) When determining—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area;

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority must include in the amount to be allocated a single amount of at least £800 for each disabled child who is in receipt of funded early years provision by virtue of regulation 3(3) of the 2014 Regulations.

(2) A local authority may only include an amount under paragraph (1) once in respect of any child.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation, a child is disabled if he or she is paid or entitled to disability living allowance by virtue of section 71 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(56).

(4) The duty in paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of early years provision which is funded under regulation 14.

Risk protection arrangement

26.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies if a local authority has not removed any expenditure referred to in paragraph 47 of Schedule 2 from a school’s budget share under regulation 11(5).

(2) In determining (including redetermining) budget shares for schools maintained by it a local authority must include—

(a) a factor which enables the local authority to deduct the amount (£23 x Z/365) per pupil from the budget share of a primary or secondary school, (other than a special school or pupil referral unit), if the governing body of that school has entered into a risk protection arrangement with the Secretary of State which is still in force, or enters into such an arrangement which commences on or after 1st April 2023; and

(b) a factor which enables the local authority to deduct the amount (£23 x Z/365) per place from the budget share of a special school or pupil referral unit if—

(i) the governing body of that school; or

(ii) in the case of a pupil referral unit, the local authority,

has entered into a risk protection arrangement with the Secretary of State which is still in force, or enters into such an arrangement which commences on or after 1st April 2023.

(3) In paragraph (2)(a) and (b), Z is the number of days that the school or pupil referral unit is subject to a risk protection arrangement with the Secretary of State, beginning with 1st April 2023, or with the day on which that arrangement commences, if later, and ending with 31st March 2024.

Differential funding

27.—(1) For the purpose of determining (including redetermining)—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area; and

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority may use factors or criteria which differentiate between different categories or descriptions of school or provider on the basis of unavoidable costs.

(2) In particular, a local authority may include an additional sum in the budget share of each nursery school maintained by it.

Additional requirements, factors or criteria

28.—(1) In order to determine the budget shares for schools maintained by it (other than special schools, pupil referral units and nursery schools), a local authority—

(a) must comply with the requirement for minimum per pupil funding set out in regulation 30; and

(b) may take into account in its formula any or all of the requirements, factors or criteria mentioned in Part 1 of Schedule 3.

(2) For the purposes of complying with the requirement mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), the date for ascertaining pupil numbers or proportions is 6th October 2022, unless these Regulations provide otherwise.

(3) Subject to regulation 33, in determining—

(a) budget shares for nursery schools maintained by it;

(b) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area; and

(d) amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it,

a local authority may, in its formula, provide additional funding to the provider, taking into account any or all of the factors in Part 2 of Schedule 3.

(4) The requirements, factors and criteria set out in Schedule 3 may not be taken into account by a local authority on the basis of actual or estimated cost unless otherwise stated in that Schedule.

(5) Subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), where a school would otherwise receive a greater amount of redetermined adjusted budget share per pupil than it did in the previous funding period, the local authority may do one or both of the following—

(a) determine a percentage beyond which the per pupil amount of redetermined adjusted budget may not increase;

(b) determine a percentage by which the amount that the per pupil redetermined adjusted budget share would otherwise increase by will be reduced.

(6) In paragraph (5) “redetermined adjusted budget share for the previous funding period” and “redetermined adjusted budget share” have the same meanings as in Schedule 4.

(7) Where the local authority decides to take one or both of the actions described in paragraph (5)(a) and (b)—

(a) this must be applied to the budget shares of all schools in the local authority’s area; and

(b) the local authority must ensure that no school in the area receives a budget share that is less than the amount it would receive under regulation 30 (the minimum per pupil amount).

(8) Paragraph (5) does not apply to the determination of budget shares for—

(a) special schools;

(b) pupil referral units;

(c) nursery schools; and

(d) any school that has opened since 1st April 2016 and does not yet have pupils in each year group for which it proposes to provide education.

Requirements relating to the calculation of the local authority funding formula

29.—(1) In determining budget shares for primary and secondary schools (other than special schools, pupil referral units, and nursery schools), a local authority must set single per pupil amounts or, as the case may be, single sums or lump sums for the factors referred to in regulations 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 as follows—

A is the value of the factor in the local authority’s funding formula (the “local factor value”) for the previous funding period except—

(a)

where a local authority did not use this factor in its formula for the previous funding period, in which case A should be taken as £0; or

(b)

in the case of the factor relating to English as an additional language, if—

(i)

in the previous funding period, the local authority used the EAL1 version of the factor relating to English as an additional language, then A = the local factor value x 0.333;

(ii)

in the previous funding period, the local authority used the EAL2 version of the factor relating to English as an additional language, then A = the local factor x 0.667;

B is the national funding formula factor value for the previous funding period(57), adjusted to account for geographical variations in labour market costs (the “area cost adjustment” or “ACA”(58)), except where a local authority is in the London fringe area, where B = the national funding formula factor value for the previous funding period, adjusted by the lowest ACA applied within that local authority;

C is the absolute value of A – B;

D is the local factor value for this funding period;

E is the national funding formula factor value in this funding period(59), adjusted to account for geographical variations in labour market costs (the “area cost adjustment” or “ACA”(60)), except where a local authority is in the London fringe area, where E = the national funding formula factor in this funding period, adjusted by the lowest ACA applied within that local authority;

F is the absolute value of D – E;

(2) The local authority must set D so that—

(a) F is equal to or smaller than (C x 0.9); or,

(b) D is equal to or greater than (E x 0.975); and

(c) D is equal to or smaller than (E x 1.025).

(3) If A is smaller than B, the local authority must set D to be equal to, or smaller than (E x 1.025).

(4) If A is greater than B, the local authority must set D to be equal to, or greater than (E x 0.975).

(5) In this regulation—

“the absolute value” of a number means that number expressed as a positive number;

“EAL1” means the version of the factor relating to English as an additional language that is applied only in respect of a pupil who—

(a)

has English as an additional language; and

(b)

was not recorded as attending a school or schools in England on any school census before 7th October 2021;

“EAL2” means the version of the factor relating to English as an additional language that is applied only in respect of a pupil who—

(a)

has English as an additional language; and

(b)

was not recorded as attending a school or schools in England on any school census before 1st October 2020;

“the London fringe area” has the meaning given to that expression in regulation 21(2).

Minimum per pupil amount

30.—(1) Where the per pupil amount for a school is less than the minimum per pupil amount, the authority must determine (including redetermine) that school’s budget share based on the minimum per pupil amount.

(2) In this regulation, the per pupil amount for a school is—

where—

• X is the notional budget share that the school would receive under the formula referred to in regulation 10(1), but for the operation of this regulation.

• Y is the number of pupils at the school.

(3) In calculating X, the authority must—

(a) deduct any premises factor allocation from the amount;

(b) add any amount that is deducted under regulation 11(5) or (6), 26(2), 37 or 38(1);

(c) deduct any amount that is added under regulation 37 or 38(1).

(4) The minimum per pupil amount for a school is—

where—

• A is the number of primary-age year groups in the school.

• B is the number of key stage 3 year groups in the school.

• C is the number of key stage 4 year groups in the school.

• D is the primary-age year group value of £4,405.

• E is the key stage 3 year group value of £5,503.

• F is the key stage 4 year group value of £6,033.

• G is the total number of year groups in the school.

(5) Where authorised to do so by the Secretary of State under regulation 39 (alternative arrangements), a local authority may—

(a) vary the year group values D, E or F set out in paragraph (4) for all the schools that are subject to the formula decided by the authority under regulation 10(1); and

(b) alter the operation of this regulation in respect of particular schools.

Minimum funding guarantee

31.—(1) Except as provided for in this regulation, in determining (including redetermining) budget shares for primary and secondary schools maintained by it, a local authority must ensure that an amount equal to the guaranteed funding level is included, calculated in accordance with Schedule 4 (minimum funding guarantee).

(2) For the purpose of determining budget shares, paragraph (1) does not apply to any school opening during the funding period, except in the circumstances set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 4.

(3) Where authorised to do so by the Secretary of State under regulation 39 (alternative arrangements), a local authority may alter the operation of this regulation and Schedule 4 in determining (including redetermining) budget shares.

Early years 95 per cent requirement

32.—(1) In making determinations under regulation 11(9), a local authority must comply with the formula set out in paragraph (2).

(2) The formula is (A – B) / C is no less than 95 per cent of D, where—

(a) A is the total of—

(i) all budget shares and amounts determined by the authority under regulation 11(9);

(ii) any amount deducted by the authority under paragraph 27 of Schedule 2; and

(iii) any amount of the fund established under paragraph 32 of Schedule 2, which the authority intends to distribute to early years providers;

(b) B is the total of—

(i) the maintained nursery school supplement; and

(ii) any part of the budget share or amount determined by the authority under regulation 11(9) in respect of disadvantaged two-year-olds;

(c) C is the total number of hours of attendance of children, predicted by the authority under regulation 23(1), less any predicted hours of attendance of disadvantaged two-year-olds;

(d) D is the hourly unit funding rate, notified to the local authority in the early years block.

12 per cent early years discretionary funding cap

33.—(1) A local authority must ensure that the total amount of discretionary funding does not exceed 12 per cent of early years allocations.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), “discretionary funding” means funding that is attributable to—

(a) the factors based on the incidence of social deprivation in pupils or children referred to in regulation 16 (social deprivation for early years); and

(b) the requirements, factors and criteria set out in Part 2 of Schedule 3 which by virtue of regulation 28(3) a local authority may take into account in its formula.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), early years allocations means the total amount of the following budget shares and amounts determined by the local authority under regulation 11(9)—

(a) the budget shares for nursery schools maintained by the authority;

(b) the amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(c) the amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area; and

(d) the amounts to be allocated in respect of community early years provision in schools maintained by it.

less any of the amounts specified in paragraph (4).

(4) The following are not included in early years allocations for the purposes of this regulation—

(a) any amounts allocated in respect of disadvantaged two-year-olds; and

(b) the maintained nursery school supplement.

Sixth form funding

34.—(1) A local authority must include in the budget shares of maintained secondary schools and special schools an amount equal to any sum notified to the local authority by the Secretary of State as being the allocation of sixth form grant for that school.

(2) A local authority may also include an additional amount in the budget shares of maintained secondary schools and special schools where permitted to do so under the sixth form grant.

(3) A local authority must redetermine the budget share of a secondary school before the end of the funding period where the authority receives a written notification from the Secretary of State of a revised allocation in respect of the sum referred to in paragraph (1).

New schools, merged schools and closing schools

35.—(1) Where in the funding period, but excluding 1st April 2023, a new maintained school opens, and is a replacement for two or more maintained schools that are discontinued during the funding period, a local authority must calculate the budget share of the new school by adding together the budget shares of the schools that have been discontinued.

(2) Except where paragraph (1) applies, a local authority must determine a budget share for—

(a) any new maintained school in its area; and

(b) any school that has opened since 1st April 2016 and does not yet have pupils in each year group for which the school proposes to provide education,

from the date of the school’s opening on the basis of expected pupil numbers during the funding period estimated by the authority, and regulation 13 does not apply.

(3) Where a school to which paragraph (2) applies was funded on the basis of estimated pupil numbers in the previous funding period, the local authority may take account of any difference between estimated and actual pupil numbers in the previous funding period when estimating pupil numbers for the funding period.

(4) Where in the previous funding period or on 1st April 2023 a new maintained school opened or opens and is a replacement for two or more maintained schools that were discontinued during the previous funding period or on 1st April 2023, a local authority must include in the budget share of the new school an amount equal to 85% of the total amount which the schools that it replaced would have been allocated in their budget shares under regulation 17 (lump sums for primary and secondary schools) if the schools had not been discontinued.

(5) Where paragraph (4) applies, no single sum is to be included in the new school’s budget share under regulation 17.

(6) A local authority must determine a budget share for any maintained school in its area which is to be discontinued in the funding period up to the date when the school is discontinued in accordance with this Part.

(7) Where in the funding period, but excluding 1st April 2023, a maintained school is subject to a prescribed alteration as a result of a closure of a school, a local authority must redetermine the budget share of the enlarged school by adding to it the budget share of the school that has been discontinued.

(8) Where in the previous funding period or on 1st April 2023 a maintained school is subject to a prescribed alteration as a result of a closure of a school during the previous funding period or on 1st April 2023, a local authority must include in the budget share of the enlarged school an amount equal to 85% of the total amount which the schools whose provision it has replaced would have been allocated in their budget shares under regulation 17 if the school had not been discontinued.

(9) Where in the funding period, but excluding 1st April 2023, a school has been established or is subject to a prescribed alteration as a result of the closure of a school, a local authority may add an amount to the budget share of the new or enlarged school to reflect all or part of the unspent budget share (including any surplus carried over from previous funding periods) of the closing school for the funding period in which it closes.

(10) A local authority may change the operation of this regulation where authorised to do so by the Secretary of State under regulation 39 (alternative arrangements).

Federated schools

36.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), where two or more maintained schools are federated under section 24 of the 2002 Act, the local authority must determine a budget share for each school in accordance with Part 3 of these Regulations.

(2) After carrying out the determination under paragraph (1) the local authority may treat the schools as a single school for the purposes of these Regulations and, accordingly, allocate a single budget share to the governing body of the federation.

(3) Where the local authority decides to allocate a single budget share to the governing body of a federation under paragraph (2), it must determine it by combining the budget shares of all the schools that form part of that federation.

(4) Where one or more schools are to leave a federation which has been allocated a single budget share under paragraph (2), the local authority must—

(a) determine the budget share for each of the leaving schools; and

(b) redetermine the budget share for the federation,

in accordance with Part 3 of these Regulations.

CHAPTER 2 Adjustments, correction of errors, and alternative arrangements authorised by the Secretary of State

Pupils permanently excluded from, or leaving, maintained schools

37.—(1) Where a pupil is permanently excluded from a school maintained by a local authority (other than a special school, a pupil referral unit, or a place which the authority has reserved for children with special educational needs) (“the excluding school”) the authority must redetermine the excluding school’s budget share in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) The excluding school’s budget share must be reduced by where—

(a) A is the amount determined by the authority in accordance with this Part that would be attributable to a pupil of the same age and personal circumstances as the pupil in question at primary or secondary schools maintained by the authority for the full funding period;

(b) B is either—

(i) the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period calculated from the relevant date; or

(ii) where the permanent exclusion takes effect on or after 1st April in a school year at the end of which pupils of the same age, or age group, as the pupil in question normally leave that school before being admitted to another school with a different pupil age range, the number of complete weeks remaining in that school year calculated from the relevant date; and

(c) C is the amount of the adjustment made to the school’s budget share under a financial adjustment order.

(3) Where a pupil has been permanently excluded from the excluding school and is admitted to another school maintained by a local authority (other than a special school, a pupil referral unit, or to a place which the authority has reserved for children with special educational needs) (“the admitting school”) in the funding period, the authority must redetermine the admitting school’s budget share in accordance with paragraphs (4) and (5).

(4) The admitting school’s budget share must be increased by an amount which is not less than where—

(a) D is the amount by which the authority reduced the budget share of the excluding school, or would have reduced the budget share if that school had been maintained by the authority, except that any reduction in the excluding school’s budget share made under a financial adjustment order must not be taken into account for these purposes;

(b) E is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period during which the pupil is a pupil at the admitting school; and

(c) F is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period calculated from the relevant date.

(5) In redetermining the admitting school’s budget share, the authority may increase it by any amount up to the amount of the adjustment made to the excluding school’s budget share under a financial adjustment order.

(6) Where a permanently excluded pupil is subsequently reinstated by the governing body of the school, the school’s budget share must be increased by an amount which is no less than where—

(a) G is the amount by which the authority reduced the school’s budget share under paragraph (2);

(b) H is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period during which the pupil is reinstated; and

(c) I is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period calculated from the relevant date.

(7) Paragraphs (1) and (2) also apply where a pupil leaves a maintained school (other than a special school, a pupil referral unit, or a place which the authority has reserved for children with special educational needs) for reasons other than permanent exclusion and is receiving education funded by a local authority other than at a school which is maintained by that authority.

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), the amount attributable to a pupil is the sum of the amounts determined in accordance with the authority’s formula, by reference to pupil numbers rather than by reference to any other factor or criterion not dependent on pupil numbers except that where a sixth form grant is payable in respect of the pupil in question, the amount attributable to that pupil in the funding period is £4,542 in respect of the period within the funding period up to and including 31st July 2023 or £4,642 in respect of the period within the funding period beginning on 1st August 2023.

(9) Where a pupil in respect of whom a pupil premium is payable has been permanently excluded from a school maintained by a local authority (“the excluding school”), the local authority must redetermine the excluding school’s budget share in accordance with paragraph (10).

(10) The excluding school’s budget share must be reduced by where—

(a) J is the amount of the pupil premium allocated to the excluding school for the funding period in respect of that child; and

(b) K is either—

(i) the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period calculated from the relevant date; or

(ii) where the permanent exclusion takes effect on or after 1st April in a school year at the end of which pupils of the same age, or age group, as the pupil in question normally leave that school before being admitted to another school with a different pupil age range, the number of complete weeks remaining in that school year calculated from the relevant date.

(11) Where a pupil in respect of whom a pupil premium is payable has been permanently excluded from a school maintained by a local authority and admitted to another school maintained by a local authority (“the admitting school”) in the funding period, the authority must redetermine the budget share of the admitting school in accordance with paragraph (12).

(12) The admitting school’s budget share must be increased by an amount which is not less than where—

(a) L is the amount by which the authority reduced the budget share of the excluding school or would have reduced the budget share had that school been maintained by the authority;

(b) M is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period during which the pupil is a pupil at the admitting school; and

(c) N is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period calculated from the relevant date.

(13) Where a permanently excluded pupil in respect of whom a pupil premium is payable is subsequently reinstated by the governing body of the school, the school’s budget share must be increased by an amount which is no less than where—

(a) O is the amount by which the authority reduced the school’s budget share under paragraph (10);

(b) P is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period during which the pupil is reinstated; and

(c) Q is the number of complete weeks remaining in the funding period calculated from the relevant date.

(14) Paragraphs (9) and (10) also apply where a pupil in respect of whom a pupil premium is payable leaves a maintained school for reasons other than permanent exclusion and is receiving education funded by a local authority other than at a school which is maintained by that authority.

(15) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) “the relevant date” is the sixth school day following the date on which the pupil has been permanently excluded; and

(b) “a financial adjustment order” means an order for the adjustment of a school’s budget share made under regulation 25(5)(b) of the School Discipline (Pupil Exclusions and Reviews) (England) Regulations 2012(61) in respect of the exclusion of the pupil from the excluding school.

Correction of errors and changes in non-domestic rates

38.—(1) A local authority may at any time during the funding period redetermine a maintained school’s budget share, or the amount allocated to a relevant early years provider, for the funding period or any previous funding period in order to correct an error in a determination or redetermination made under these Regulations or any previous regulations made under sections 47 or 47ZA of the 1998 Act, whether arising from a mistake as to the number of pupils at the school or otherwise, and any such redetermination will take effect in the next financial year following the funding period.

(2) A local authority may redetermine a school’s budget share to take into account any changes in that school’s non-domestic rate liability in relation to the funding period or any previous funding period.

(3) In so far as any redetermination under paragraph (1) would require the amount that would otherwise have been the budget share of a school to be reduced, it may not be reduced to a figure which is lower than that which could have been allocated to that school under the Regulations in force during the funding period in which the error occurred.

Alternative arrangements approved by the Secretary of State

39.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), on application by a local authority, the Secretary of State may authorise the authority to—

(a) disregard the limits referred to in paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 when deducting any expenditure referred to in regulation 8(4) (historic commitments);

(b) disregard regulation 8(7) (determination of the individual schools budget for the funding period and limit on increase in central expenditure);

(c) deduct any expenditure referred to in regulation 8(12)(a) (expenditure falling outside Schedule 2);

(d) alter the operation of regulation 11(3) (additional expenditure on children with special educational needs);

(e) determine (including redetermine) budget shares of schools maintained by it;

(f) determine (including redetermine) amounts to be allocated in respect of nursery classes in schools maintained by it;

(g) determine (including redetermine) amounts to be allocated to relevant early years providers in its area;

(h) include additional factors or criteria in its formula under regulation 10(1) (formula for determining budget shares) where the nature of a school’s premises exceptionally gives rise to significant additional cost;

(i) include additional factors or criteria that the authority proposes to include in its formula under regulation 10(3) (early years single funding formula);

(j) alter the operation of regulation 31 (minimum funding guarantee) and Schedule 4 in respect of particular schools;

(k) vary any or all of the year group values D, E or F set out in regulation 30(4) for all the schools that are subject to the formula decided by the authority under regulation 10(1);

(l) alter the operation of regulation 30 (minimum per pupil amount) in respect of particular schools;

(m) disregard regulation 13 (pupil numbers);

(n) alter the operation of regulation 35 (new schools, merged schools and closing schools) in respect of particular schools;

(o) alter the operation of regulation 22 (the sparsity factor) in respect of particular schools; and

(p) alter the operation of regulation 32 (early years 95 per cent requirement).

(2) The Secretary of State may authorise the matters in paragraph (1) to such extent as the Secretary of State may specify in accordance with arrangements approved in place of the arrangements provided for by these Regulations.

PART 4 Schemes

Required content of schemes

40.  A scheme prepared by a local authority under section 48(1) of the 1998 Act must deal with the matters connected with the financing of schools maintained by the authority set out in Schedule 5.

Approval by the schools forum or the Secretary of State of proposals to revise schemes

41.—(1) Where a local authority submits a copy of its proposals to revise its scheme to its schools forum for approval under paragraph 2A(3)(b) of Schedule 14 to the 1998 Act, the members of the schools forum who represent schools maintained by the authority may—

(a) approve the proposals;

(b) approve the proposals with modifications; or

(c) refuse to approve the proposals.

(2) Where the schools forum approves the proposals to revise the scheme, it may specify the date on which the revised scheme is to come into force.

(3) The local authority may apply to the Secretary of State for approval of proposals submitted under paragraph 2A(3)(b) of Schedule 14 to the 1998 Act(62) where—

(a) the schools forum refuses to approve the proposals, or approves them with modifications which are not acceptable to the local authority; or

(b) the local authority is not required to establish a schools forum for its area.

(4) The Secretary of State may—

(a) approve the proposals;

(b) approve the proposals with modifications; or

(c) refuse to approve the proposals.

(5) When approving proposals, the Secretary of State may specify the date on which the revised scheme is to come into force.

(6) No revised scheme is to come into force unless approved by the schools forum or the Secretary of State in accordance with this regulation.

Publication of schemes

42.—(1) A local authority—

(a) must publish its scheme on a website which is accessible to the general public; and

(b) may publish it elsewhere.

(2) Whenever a local authority revises the whole or part of its scheme, it must publish the scheme as revised on a website which is accessible to the general public by the date that the revisions are due to come into force, together with a statement that the revised scheme comes into force on that date.

Nick Gibb

Minister of State

Department for Education

19th January 2023