Pre-16 schools funding: local authority guidance for 2026 to 2027
Local authority guidance for implementing the funding system for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Schools funding operational guide: 2026 to 2027
Local authorities and schools forums should use this guidance to plan the local implementation of the mainstream schools funding system for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
The notional SEN budget: operational guidance
This guidance has been written to help local authorities comply with the notional special educational needs (SEN) budget requirement. Local authorities are required to identify a notional amount to guide mainstream schools in their spending to meet the costs of additional support for the school’s pupils with SEN.
Growth and falling rolls fund guidance: 2026 to 2027
Local authorities should use this guidance when operating funds for growth or falling rolls, providing detail in addition to what is set out in the schools revenue funding operational guide 2026 to 2027. The guidance includes examples of compliant criteria.
Private finance initiative (PFI) factor in the schools national funding formula guidance
Guidance for mainstream schools with pupils aged 5 to 16, and local authorities, to understand the operation of the PFI factor in the schools national funding formula (NFF) and the equivalent local authority funding formulae.
Private finance initiative (PFI) affordability model template
Local authorities can use this template to model the amount of funding allocated through the PFI factor in the schools NFF.
Allowable factor value ranges: 2026 to 2027
We have published a spreadsheet that shows the allowable factor value ranges in schools funding formulae for each local authority in 2026 to 2027.
Submit a local authority disapplication request
Local authorities should use the disapplication digital form to submit their disapplication requests. This guidance provides more information about how to complete and submit the form.
Further information
Read the high needs funding 2026 to 2027: operational guide for information for local authorities, schools and colleges about high needs funding arrangements for the 2026 to 2027 financial and academic years.
Read the national funding formula for schools policy document for further details of the NFF allocations for 2026 to 2027.
View the provisional national funding formula allocation tables for schools and central school services blocks for 2026 to 2027.
The authority proforma tool (APT) is designed to support local authorities in modelling different options for their funding formulae. It is also how local authorities submit details of their schools funding formulae to us, in line with arrangements set out by the Secretary of State for Education. The information submitted in the APT also allows us to calculate academy budgets and recoupment deductions to dedicated schools grant allocations. The APT for 2026 to 2027 and guidance on how to complete the APT is available for local authorities to download.
The School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2026, which came into force in February 2026, detail statutory guidance for local authorities funding arrangements of their maintained schools and early years providers for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.