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 2nd June 2026 | 2-4pm | Town Hall |
Next meeting
2 June 2026
Schools forum meeting papers 2 June 2026 [pdf document]
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
10 March 2026
Meeting papers 10 March 2026 [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 18th June 2026 | 1:30-3:30pm | Rise Carr College |
Next meeting
Thursday 18th June 2026
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
12th February 2026
12th February 2026 High Needs Forum agenda [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
- Paula Ayto (Vice Chair) - Reid Street Primary School
- Helen Ashton – Firthmoor Primary School
- Jo Blackham - Mount Pleasant Primary
- John Armitage – Rydal Primary School
- Richard Gartland - Springfield Academy
- Paula Strachan – St Teresa’s RC Primary School
Substitutes
- Laura Cuff – St Bedes Primary School
- Vacancy
- Simon Robson – Whinfield Primary School
- Kathryn Bradley – Lingfield Education Trust
- Sam Hirst – West Park Academy
- Katie Turnbull – Rydal Primary School
Academy secondary schools
- Jane Darbyshire - Haughton Academy
- Melanie Kane - Carmel RC College
- Nadia Robinson - Wyvern Academy
- Kate Reid – Polam Hall School
- Mike Fryer - Governor, Hummersknott Academy
Substitutes
- Justin Tattershall - Longfield Academy
- Stuart McGhee – Secondary Academy School Member
- Jo Keane - St Aidan's C of E Academy
- Julie Mogridge - Polam Hall School
- Jo Davis – 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
- Wendy Aitken - Melrose Learning Trust
16-19 education
- Tim Fisher - Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Substitute
- Glen Hart - Northern Arch Learning Partnership
PVI early years providers
- Gillian Wanless, Secret Garden
- 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)