Summary policy note for schools and high needs national funding formula 2025 to 2026

The 30 October Budget announced an additional £2.3 billion for mainstream schools and young people with high needs in 2025 to 2026 (£1 billion for high needs, £1.3 billion to cover the remaining costs of the 2024 teachers’ pay award in mainstream schools, small increases to the mainstream schools NFF formula factors; and increases to the pupil premium and other elements of core funding). 

The Department for Education (DfE) is now in the process of calculating the schools and high needs national funding formula (NFF) for 2025 to 2026, to inform local authorities and schools of the funding they can expect to receive next year. They expect to publish the final NFF allocations and full schools operational guide by the end of November.

Ahead of this, they have published an NFF policy note to support the sector with their planning. This document includes indicative schools NFF factor values, alongside information on the mainstream schools, high needs, and central school services funding for 2025 to 2026. It also includes details on the grants being rolled into the schools NFF from 2025 to 2026.

Schools are reminded that Ealing's local formula will continue to substantially mirror the NFF in 2025-26 (inclusive of an area cost adjustment) but will reflect decisions taken by schools forum at their November and January meetings and required adjustments for affordability.

Indicative summary school allocations will be included in the January school forum papers, with detailed allocations shared with schools via the EGfL budget page before February half term and final allocations confirmed and published by 28 February.