The Schools’ Forum is a statutory body comprised mainly of headteachers and governors from Bristol. It usually meets once a (new) term and is independent of Bristol City Council, but supported by it.
From April 2006, its role has significantly changed, and it now considers proposals drawn up by the Local Authority (LA) to allocate the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), received by Bristol City Council from the DfES, which is earmarked for education funding in Bristol. Currently the DSG is principally allocated through the use of the “formula”. Any changes to this “formula” plus any additional specific funding proposed by the LA must be approved by the Schools Forum. This accounts for approximately 70% of the total funds spent on education in Bristol each year.
In order to undertake its role of dialogue with the LA, the Forum is also interested in how Bristol City Council’s budget for Education is spent, to ensure that it understands the “wider” picture as well. It will be seeking to understand the financial implications of various recent initiatives, such as PFI, BSF, the inclusion programme of placing special schools alongside secondary schools, and the creation of further Academy schools, amongst many issues.
Because of its role to consider LA proposals, the Schools’ Forum is unable to ‘champion’ any individual causes, but is always interested to be advised of issues.
The Schools Forum draws representatives from schools, governors and non-school members.
Bristol Schools’ Forum has 30 members compromising the following:
School members
Secondary (3 Headteachers, 3 Governors), Primary (4 Headteachers, 4 Governors), Junior (1 Headteacher, 1 Governor), Infant (1 Headteacher, 1 Governor), Special (1 Headteacher, 1 Governor), Nursery (1 Headteacher, 1 Governor), Pupil Referral Unit (1 Headteacher)
Non-School Members
Bristol Early Years Childcare Partnership (1), Diocese of Bristol Board of Education (1) Diocese of Clifton Board of Education (1), Bristol Racial Equality Council (1) Recognised Teaching Professional Associations (1), Support Staff Trades Unions (1).
All meetings are open to the public. Contact the Clerk for more details.
The Chair of Schools Forum is currently Steve Walters, Governor at Fairfield High and Withywood Secondary Schools. Marius Frank is the Vice-Chair, Headteacher, Bedminster Down Secondary School.
The Clerk to Schools Forum is Ana Tsoucalas whose contact details appear below.
Contact:
Ana Tsoucalas, Governor Development Service
Governor Development Service
Bristol Education Centre
Sheridan Road
Horfield
Bristol
BS7 OPU
Tel: 0117 90 31254
Email: ana.tsoucalas@bristol.gov.uk