A best-practice review of the role of Schools Forums

Client: LGA

| NFER Contact: Tami McCrone

Schools Forums have been a statutory requirement since 2003 and the Schools Forums (England) Regulations 2010 provide for the constitution of a Schools Forum in every local authority in England. Forums have a consultative and advisory role in school funding and financial matters.

The purpose of the study is to carry out a best practice review of the role of Schools Forums. Specifically, our research team will provide the LGA with an overview of the models of Schools Forums currently in existence across local authorities in England, including an assessment of the different approaches to Forums with regard to their nature, structure and decision making powers. It will also suggest possible ways that Schools Forums might develop in the future including new practices which might improve Schools Forums.

The research design comprises a desk review of current models of Schools Forums in local authorities and qualitative telephone interviews with the local authority officer responsible for Schools Forums, an elected member and at least two forum members in 10 best practice case studies.

The output from the research will be a thematic report which will draw out the key messages for the LGA from the evidence on best practice and will provide suggestions for new practices to improve Schools Forums.

Timescale: November 2001 – March 2012

NFER Project Code: LGSF