Request for Information: Special Educational Needs & Disability – High Needs Top-Up & Banding Allocations for Mainstream Schools, Mainstream SEN Unit / Resourced Provision, and Special Schools

I would like to request the following information:

1. Information that describes “top-up”, “banding,” “matrix,” or “element” arrangements that the Council uses to guide its allocation of High Needs Block funding to mainstream schools, resource
base / units in mainstream schools, and special schools;

2. Information showing the maximum High Needs or Top-Up funding allocation (in pounds) that each specific band, matrix point, or element attracts in the current financial year (2025-26);

3. Information showing the maximum High Needs or Top-Up funding allocation (in pounds) that each specific band or element attracted for the previous financial year (2024-25).

o If funding allocations for each band/element in 2025-26 are identical to those in 2024-25, please say so.
o If it is more efficient for you to provide these allocations based on academic years rather than financial years, please use academic years instead.
o If the Council has changed its banding arrangements during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 periods, please provide information showing the previous banding arrangements as well as the current ones.
o For special schools or units/RPs where banded funding is not used, please provide information showing the High Needs Block ‘top-up’ allocation per place.