MILLIONS of pounds will be transferred out of the the budgets of Bradford’s schools to create more spaces at local special schools - described as “bursting at the seams.”

Members of the Bradford Schools Forum today made the "difficult" decision to divert millions from the budgets of mainstream school to help pay for much needed places for pupils with special educational needs.

The forum, made up of representatives from all types of schools in the district, made their decision following a four hour meeting last week where they were briefed on the issues facing school budgets by schools finance officer Andrew Redding, and a further two and a half hour discussion yesterday.

The council hopes to create 360 new places for pupils with conditions such as autism in the coming years, but the district is currently facing a £7.02 million deficit in the higher needs block budget, which funds such places.

Many pupils with additional needs are currently taught in mainstream schools.

One of the only ways to fund these places is by transferring money from the budgets of mainstream schools. This would need to be done as soon as possible, as soon to be introduced government funding policies prevent cash from being moved from one school “pot” to another.

At least week’s meeting, chairman Dominic Wall said the decision would be the most difficult the forum has had to make.

They were presented with six options, each with varying degrees of money moved from mainstream schools to fund special school places.

A report by schools finance officer Andrew Redding said “Option 4” would see £5.6 million transferred from schools to the High Needs Block, which, along with cuts in spending in other areas of the block, would help reduce the deficit.

Other options would take less from schools, but still leave a large high needs deficit.

If option 4 was taken, the High Needs Block deficit would fall £450,000 by 2022/23. If such a financial action was not taken, it would rise to £9.46 million by that academic year.

It was deemed that this option would be the one that came closest to solving the budget deficit while causing the minimal financial pain to schools.

The forum voted for that option, although Mr Wall said he could see there was a “concerned resignation” among members about having to make the decision.

He is head of the Southfield Grange Trust, which includes Grange Technology College and Southfield Special School. He said: "On the one hand, this will be hard for mainstream schools, dealing with the loss of this money will be no small undertaking. But it is important we do this for our higher needs pupils."

Deputy chair Dianne Rowbotham, said: “The feedback I had from schools is that while heads are nervous about any cuts in funding, the fear that planned new special needs places might not go ahead overwrites this.

“I think everyone realises there is a need for special needs places.”

Ian Morrell, head of Titus Salt School, said: “We have a moral imperative to support the high needs block.”

Sue Haithwaite, representing special schools, said: “Our schools are above capacity, they are bursting at the seams. Without extra funding we can’t take any more children on, it just wouldn’t be safe.”

Michael Jameson, director of Children's Services on Bradford Council, said: "There are no winners across the system, all the schools are going to face challenges over the next few years.

Councillor Imran Khan, executive for education on Bradford Council, said: “It is obvious that you care about all the children in the district, and are not just trying to protect your own schools.”

The forum’s decision will now go before the council’s Executive to be approved.

After the meeting Councillor Mike Pollard (Cons, Baildon) told the Telegraph & Argus the work by Andrew Redding in detailing the complex financial landscapes facing schools was "an intellectual tour de force."