Schools’ forums play a significant role in influencing and shaping local education funding. They provide a collaborative and consultative platform for strategic discussion and contribute to local decision making.
Devon Education Forum (DEF) provides an important contact point between the local authority and education providers. Drawing on a wide spectrum of stakeholders’ knowledge, views and experience ensures that funding decisions are shaped by open dialogue, informed debate and challenge.
Membership of DEF will require attendance at quarterly meetings and your school or trust will be remunerated for time out of school plus preparation and follow up.
This year, the current terms of office for all Schools (LA Maintained) and Academy members will come to an end on 31 August 2026 triggering a nominations process to appoint members for a new four year term running from 1 September 2026 – 31 August 2030.
DSLS is inviting nominations from school leaders across both phases to represent schools and contribute to the process of ensuring an equitable distribution of finance is achieved for all pupils within the local authority.
Primary and Secondary Membership at Devon Education Forum (DEF)
Following a review of pupil numbers, the existing proportionality of membership between the primary and secondary phases or local authority and academy schools will remain unchanged.
From 1 September 2026, primary and secondary membership at DEF will continue as follows:
Academy: Primary x 2 and Secondary x 3
Schools (L/A Maintained): Primary x 2 and Secondary x 1
Any nominations from school leaders should be submitted by schools (LA Maintained) and/or academy trusts via the form below no later than 12.00pm on 31 July 2026.
Please note that the current DEF Constitution states that Schools and Academy members must be substantive headteachers or principals and currently serving within Devon local authority.
DEF meets quarterly on a Wednesday morning at DCC County Hall and dates for 2026/27 are as follows:
18 November 2026
20 January 2027
17 March 2027
16 June 2027 (provisional)
When representing Devon schools on DEF and/or other local authority working groups, schools will be remunerated for the leadership time out of school at a rate of £50 per hour, invoiced and paid on a termly basis.
For more information on Devon Education Forum please see here.
The final list of nominations will be published at the start of the autumn term together with details of any election process.
For further information please visit:
ESFA Guidance: Schools Forum Operational and Good Practice Guide (March 2021)