Testing the new banding system

Deadline Friday 28 November

We are asking all schools and settings to test the new banding system, to help us assess how well it works and whether we need to make changes. We are sharing the new banding system, without funding attached, so that we can assess how robustly the new system works.

Background

As part of the Safety Valve programme, we have been asked to review how we allocate funding to schools and early years settings. The review of current bandings showed that Southwark funds at higher rates than our statistical neighbours.

However, the focus of the redesign is ensuring that schools and settings receive appropriate funds to support children and young people with an EHCP at all levels of need.

We have been working closely with our key stakeholders (schools, early years providers and parent carers) to develop a system that:

• delivers a shared understanding of the range and levels of needs across Southwark schools and how that compares with other areas
• provides a transparent and fair system of resource allocation across Southwark with clear, co-produced system to identify levels of need, provision and appropriate funding
• supports improvement in the quality and clarity of EHCPs
• enables schools and settings to evidence the difference that the funding is making to children and young people’s outcomes.

Process for testing

Having listened to feedback from headteachers, we are extending the period of time allocated to testing and also providing online support, via webinars.

We are asking all schools and settings to test the new banding system (including descriptors, available from 'page resources'), to help us assess how well it works and whether we need to make changes during early autumn. We are sending out the new banding system, without funding attached, so that we can assess how robustly the new system works.

 Instructions for using the new banding system is available from 'page resources'.

There will be a consultation period following this, later in the autumn term, for schools and settings to feedback their views on the new system and this will include proposed funding for each band.

We would be grateful if you could test as follows:

Test up to 10% of your EHCP cohort but select (where possible) pupils across:

• all current Bands (i.e. Bands A-D)
• all age groups
• across all four broad categories of need as set out in the Code of Practice.

As above, plus test against all pupils in your Resource Base.

Test at least 10% of your cohort, across a range of:

• primary needs (if appropriate)
• complexity of needs
• ages.
   

Please use our Microsoft Form to report back your findings to us by Friday 28 November.

This will ask you to:

• identify your school from the drop-down menu
• list the names of the pupils you tested the new banding system on
• the current band of each pupil you tested
• the point score of each pupil you tested under the new system and
• the corresponding band of each pupil you tested under the new system (i.e. 120 points and Band 2)
• provide any general feedback on your views of the new banding system and any specific feedback on how you found the testing.

This form has been sent to all headteachers and SENCOs in schools across Southwark.

If you have any questions about this process or the new banding system, please contact emma.ferrey@southwark.gov.uk.

Support available for testing

Headteachers suggested providing webinars to help guide staff through the new banding system. The webinar will take you through how to assess the child against the new system and will demonstrate this using an anonymised annual review/ EHCP. There are three times available – you only need to join one – the same information will be repeated at each session. There is an anonymised EHCP attached along with this information which will be used in the webinar, please try to read through this before you attend.

The following webinars are available on Microsoft Teams (you should attend the whole half hour session):

In addition, there will be a Question and Answer session (this will be drop in – log on, raise your hand to ask a question or pop it in the chat, free to log off once you have your question answered or stay and listen to other Q&A):