Distribution of DSG

1
Distribution of DSG

• David Wood
• DSG Policy Manager

2
Introduction

• Formula vs Spend
• Deprivation
• Under 5s
• Academies
• January vs Autumn Pupil Count
• Exceptional Circumstances Grant

3
Building Blocks Formula vs Spend
4
Transition from Spend to Formula
5
Illustrative Distributions under Formula and
Spend
Formula
Spend
Floor MFG 1
6
Updating the Schools FSS Indicators

• Income Support data not available at present, but
  examining using Child Tax Credit.
• Working Families Tax Credit replaced by Working
  Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
• All other indicators available in updated format.

7
Alternatives to Current Indicators

• Indicators available at postcode level combine
  with pupil postcodes from School Census.
• Since last in-depth review in 2002, 3 new
  potential indicators
• Index of Multiple Deprivation
• ACORN
• MOSAIC

8
Targeting Pockets of Deprivation (1)
9
Targeting Pockets of Deprivation (2)
10
Under 5s
11
Long-Term Strategy for Under 5s

• Two options for counting under 5s from 2011/12
• Level of take-up, brining School Census in line
  with EYC or
• On a headcount basis.

12
Academies Funding
13
September vs Autumn Pupil Count

• 2005-06 Schools FSS used
• September 2004 secondary pupils
• January 2004 primary and under 5s.
• DSG uses pupils numbers in the January
  immediately prior to financial year.
• Issue DSG not finalised prior to LAs setting
  Schools Budget.

14
September vs Autumn Pupil Count

• Autumn pupil count would enable DSG to be
  finalised ahead of Schools Budget being set.
• Alongside a change to DSG pupil count, it would
  make sense to change main pupil count for Schools
  Budget.
• As now, LAs would be able to make appropriate
  adjustments to pupil numbers in nursery and
  primary schools to reflect pupils admitted in
  April (and January if change).
• As now, DSG set for the year, with no in-year
  adjustment for pupil number changes.

15
Exceptional Circumstances Grant

• DSG Guaranteed Units Funding set for 3 years.
• DSG responds rapidly for changing pupil numbers,
  but does not reflect cases where pupils have
  additional needs.
• Proposal to topslice DSG to create exceptional
  circumstances grant.