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Testing the new banding system

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 during early autumn. 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

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:

Mainstream schools

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.
Mainstream schools with Resource Bases

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

Special schools

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 Monday 29 September.

 

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.