Schools forum
The schools forum is a formal advisory and decision making body for the allocation of funding for schools in Darlington. The main roles are:
- To be consulted upon changes to the funding formula proposed by Darlington Borough Council
- To decide upon the allocation of funding for centrally held budgets
- To give a view upon a number of areas including:
- contracts for the provision of services to schools
- the minimum funding guarantee
- financial arrangements for special educational needs
- financial arrangements for education out of school
- financial arrangements for early years
Information
- Schools forum terms of reference [pdf document]
- Schools forum election procedures [pdf document]
Future meetings
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 3rd June 2025 | 2pm | Town Hall, Darlington |
Next meeting
3 June 2025
The Darlington schools forum is currently holding meetings virtually and in person.
Non schools forum members are still welcome to attend the meeting as non participating observers.
Should you wish to attend a meeting, please contact Eleanor Marshall for joining instructions.
- call: 07899 865491
- email [email protected]
Most recent meeting
11 March 2025
Meeting papers 11 March 2025 [pdf document]
Schools Forum High Needs Sub Group
Information
Schools forum high needs sub group terms of reference [pdf document]
Future meetings
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 8 May 2025 | 1:30-3:30pm | Town Hall |
| Thursday 19 June 2025 | Town Hall |
Next meeting
8 May 2025
Papers to follow
The Darlington schools forum high needs sub group is currently holding meetings virtually and in person.
Non schools forum members are still welcome to attend the meeting as non participating observers.
Should you wish to attend a meeting, please contact Eleanor Marshall for joining instructions.
- call: 07899 865491
- email [email protected]
Most recent meeting
3 April 2025
Agenda for 3 April 2025 [pdf document]
Membership
Nursery schools
- Helen Dummett – Federation of Darlington Nursery Schools
Substitute
- Cheryl Theakston - Federation of Darlington Nursery Schools
Primary schools
- Julie Davidson – Redhall Primary School
Substitute
- Carly Egglestone – Redhall Primary School
Pupil referral unit
- Sally Hudson - Rise Carr College
Substitute
- Kerry Loftus - Rise Carr College
Academy primary schools
- Shirley Welsh – Whinfield Primary School
- Paula Ayto (Vice Chair) - Reid Street Primary School
- Peter King – Federation of Mowden Schools
- Jo Blackham - Mount Pleasant Primary
- John Armitage – Rydal Primary School
- Marco Ramsay - St John Academy
Substitutes
- Carol Hall – Whinfield Primary School
- Richard Gartland – Springfield Academy
- Paula Strachan – St Teresa’s RC Primary School
- Kath Hull – Lingfield Education Trust
- Sam Hirst – West Park Academy
- Katie Turnbull – Rydal Primary School
Academy secondary schools
- Su Gill - Haughton Academy
- Melanie Kane - Carmel RC College
- Dean Lythgoe - St Aidan's C of E Academy
- Kate Reid – Polam Hall School
- Mike Fryer - Governor, Hummersknott Academy
Substitutes
- Glen Hart - Northern Arch Learning Partnership
- Stuart McGhee - Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
- Jo Keane - St Aidan's C of E Academy
- Julie Mogridge - Polam Hall School
- Vacancy - Secondary Governor Member
Academy special schools
- Mike Butler (chair) - Education Village Academy Trust
Substitute
- Marie Roe - Education Village Academy Trust
Diocesan representatives
- Trish Abbott – Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
- Judith Skirving - Church of England Academy, Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust
Substitutes
- David Leane – Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
- Vacancy
16-19 education
- Tim Fisher - Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Substitute
- Lisa Marron – Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
PVI early years providers
- Vacancy
- Caroline Moss - Peirremont Pre School
Substitutes
- Tracey Reed - Sadberge Preschool
- Vacancy
LEA observers:
- Tony Murphy (Head of Education & Inclusion)
- Emma Clennell (Finance Manager)
- Jack Aconley-Foster (Finance Officer)
- Eleanor Marshall (Education Partnerships Officer)