Funding Services to Schools 2026-2027

image of school stationary

Kent County Council has reviewed the services it provides to its maintained mainstream and special schools and pupil referral units (PRUs). This consultation sets out proposals to change how five areas of service provision are funded from 1 April 2026. These are:

  • Statutory compliance testing and surveys, including tree surveys
  • Health and Safety advice and training
  • Employment Tribunal Awards
  • Staff care (Occupational Health advice)
  • Administration of teachers' pensions

Head teachers, school business managers / bursars and governing bodies / management committees of local authority maintained schools and PRUs are invited to give their views on the proposals.

How to respond

We strongly recommend that you read the consultation document to find out about the proposals, ahead of completing the questionnaire.

You can also give your views via email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk.

Responses should be submitted by Monday 21 July 2025.

What happens next?

The outcome of the consultation is expected to be presented to the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet in September 2025. The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills will make a decision following the Cabinet Committee. The Cabinet Member’s decision becomes the Council’s proposal to the Schools Funding Forum. This proposal will be considered by the Forum in October / November 2025. The respective representatives for maintained primary and secondary schools will vote on whether to agree or reject the Council’s proposals.

Kent County Council has reviewed the services it provides to its maintained mainstream and special schools and pupil referral units (PRUs). This consultation sets out proposals to change how five areas of service provision are funded from 1 April 2026. These are:

  • Statutory compliance testing and surveys, including tree surveys
  • Health and Safety advice and training
  • Employment Tribunal Awards
  • Staff care (Occupational Health advice)
  • Administration of teachers' pensions

Head teachers, school business managers / bursars and governing bodies / management committees of local authority maintained schools and PRUs are invited to give their views on the proposals.

How to respond

We strongly recommend that you read the consultation document to find out about the proposals, ahead of completing the questionnaire.

You can also give your views via email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk.

Responses should be submitted by Monday 21 July 2025.

What happens next?

The outcome of the consultation is expected to be presented to the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet in September 2025. The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills will make a decision following the Cabinet Committee. The Cabinet Member’s decision becomes the Council’s proposal to the Schools Funding Forum. This proposal will be considered by the Forum in October / November 2025. The respective representatives for maintained primary and secondary schools will vote on whether to agree or reject the Council’s proposals.

  • Have your say

    We would like to hear your views on our proposals for how we fund services to schools and have provided this questionnaire for you to give your feedback. 

    We recommend you read the consultation document before responding to this questionnaire.

    You can answer all or as many of the questions as you like. If you would rather not provide feedback on a section or question, just move on to the next one.

    In line with other local authorities and government departments, we ask people to register to take part in some activities. We do this to protect the integrity of our consultations from individuals and groups who may attempt to unduly influence the outcomes of the consultation process and to give people the opportunity to choose to be kept informed. 

    As with all our consultations a Word version of the questionnaire is available from the consultation webpage for people who would prefer not to complete the online version. 

    Complete questionnaire