School Financial Management

The financial side of becoming an academy

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:55 +0100

‘Academies embody all that we are seeking to achieve as a government, tackling social exclusion and transforming the prospects for the least advantaged in our society. My passionate belief is that educational success is the route to social justice.’

How the school business manager can affect Ofsted

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:52 +0100

Generally speaking, schools associate Ofsted primarily with teaching and learning. While teaching and learning rightly has key prominence during inspections, the impact that the school business manager (SBM) can make is more significant than is often realised. Having experienced three Ofsted inspections during my career in education, my experience of our recent inspection was somewhat different.

Effective management and deployment of support staff

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:52 +0100

In most schools, the role of the business manager includes responsibility for the management of a wide range of support staff. Since the advent of workforce remodelling, however, support staff teams have grown at a rapid rate, sometimes even equalling or exceeding teaching staff numbers.

Speaking school finances: business and education

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:51 +0100

A couple of weeks ago, I contributed to an online debate on the NCSL website about schools’ approach to financial management. The discussion focused on the relationship between headteachers and business managers, and on the level of understanding of finance required for the leaders of a school whose primary focus is on learning and teaching.

Using accounting principles to improve school financial management

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:46 +0100

The launch in 2006 of the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS) can be seen as part of a drive towards the professionalisation of school financial management. The introduction of local management of schools in the early 1990s gave governors and headteachers significantly increased control over financial and other assets. However, there has not historically been a requirement for headteachers or the staff (such as bursars) who offer financial support to have any formal financial management training.

School business managers: Building your professional profile

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:46 +0100

IN THREE PREVIOUS articles in School Financial Management, we have discussed opportunities that would prepare a school business manager or bursar for even more senior leadership roles in schools. There has been a focus upon building knowledge of teaching and learning, among other things. We also suggested that a greater involvement in the working of the school more generally will make any school business manager or bursar more effective in their current role.

Speaking school finances: making mistakes

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:46 +0100

A headteacher was walking around his school one afternoon when he was stopped by a member of support staff. She explained that the interment of her mother’s ashes had been arranged for the following Tuesday and asked for permission to have time off to attend. The headteacher smiled sympathetically and nodded his agreement: ‘Of course’, he said, ‘no problem at all’. He then paused for a moment, as if settling on something appropriate to say. ‘So’, he finally asked, ‘how is your mother?’

Speaking school finances: the local authority

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:43 +0100

By Ruth Bradbury

Balancing workloads and creating staffing structures for the future

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:42 +0100

Starting work as a business manager in a large secondary school just a few years ago, not having worked in the education sector previously, presented a new challenge – one that I was extremely enthusiastic about. I was particularly attracted by the diverse nature of the role, being aware that it had undergone huge change over the years, its scope and size increasing dramatically to include a whole host of areas of responsibility including finance, human resources, premises, administration, income generation, catering and contract management.

Understanding classroom practice – what school financial managers need to know

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:42 +0100

Financial managers in schools, especially those aspiring to be leaders, now play an increasing part in every aspect of whole-school management. The growing tendency for financial managers to be part of a school’s senior management team means school administration and financial strategy can no longer be separated from the day-to-day business of a school, which is generally seen as providing young people with the chance to develop and achieve both inside and outside the classroom. In this article we will explore this classroom dimension in more detail.

Understanding the classroom - what school financial managers need to know

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:36 +0100

As school financial managers become more involved in school leadership, gaining an understanding of the learning process becomes more important. Our belief is that every decision in a school – be it about buildings, personnel, or equipment – should be informed by a vision for learning. The challenge for a school financial manager is to develop the fullest understanding of the learning processes, so that this can form a basis for their decision making.

A changing role

Providing ICT network support to a cluster of schools

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:36 +0100

ICT technical provision is now a crucial lifeline to any school. If this support breaks down, it causes major problems and disruption to the life of the school. The primary schools in our cluster in East Yorkshire found themselves in this predicament early last year and had to act very quickly to resolve the problem. This article will focus on the recent developments in our cluster that stemmed from this challenge, showing how an innovative approach can bring a wide range of benefits.

Exploring the options

Making extended schools work

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:36 +0100

The Government's extended schools strategy requires that, by 2010, every state school in the UK is delivering at least the ‘core offer’ of extended services and, as this deadline approaches, the issue is moving higher up the agenda for many schools.

Creative collaboration in fundraising

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:33 +0100

As school leaders we are often placed in a dilemma as to whether an additional source of funding allows us to carry out a genuinely worthwhile project. For example, many school managers have received grants for reasonably large amounts, often through Pathfinder projects, announced this to staff and then realised that the funds are so tightly directed that there is no additional revenue to pursue any other objectives.

A new era for school leadership?

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:25 +0100

The impetus for the Independent Study into School Leadership came in November 2005 when the School Teachers’ Review Body recommended an independent study to examine the roles, responsibilities, structures and reward systems for school leaders in England and Wales.

Budgeting for development

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:25 +0100

Since the advent of school development planning, there has been an increasing emphasis on realistic plans, which are costed and feed into the school’s budgeting process. This is an aspect that is emphasised within the Ofsted process, and is a requirement of the new Financial Management Toolkit, yet the exact mechanism is poorly defined. Do you recognise any of these scenarios?

Meeting the procurement challenge: support from government

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:25 +0100

SFM reports on Darron Cox’s recent conference address on the Centre for Procurement Performance and an online market place.

At the second School Financial Management Conference in January, Darron Cox, deputy commercial director at the Department for Education and Skills, discussed how the DfES could assist schools in meeting their procurement challenge. He described the work of the Centre for Procurement Performance (CPP) and highlighted the role OPEN, the Online Procurement for Educational Needs system, would play.

Speaking school finances: support staff

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:25 +0100

By Ruth Bradbury

A friend of mine, a qualified and experienced accountant, was recently lucky enough to be appointed as a business manager at a high school recruiting for the post for the first time.

The selection process was rigorous; the competition was stiff and, on the day of the interviews, the headteacher and governors were keen to put across what an important strategic role they had created.

Nursery franchising

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:23 +0100

Many people who run successful nurseries think of opening more than one – but how can standards be maintained when operating on several sites? And what of the costs involved? It can be an expensive business. Likewise nursery managers often think of setting up their own business but are aware of the risks involved. Franchising is one possible solution to these problems.

Cutting and controlling utility costs

ewtemp — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:21 +0100

SCHOOLS FACE a never-ending battle to keep costs under control. In recent years one of the areas of greatest concern to schools has been the dramatic rise in utility costs, with electricity and gas prices alone having risen by over 100% in a few years. It is, therefore, crucial for schools to find ways of minimising the impact on their budgets. So what practical steps can schools take in this vital area?

A key role in raising school standards

ewtemp — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:21 +0100

Long gone are the days of the ‘school secretary’. School business managers (SBMs) can now look to a structured continuous professional development path, with our objectives being to help raise standards in teaching and learning and support leadership and governance in school improvement planning.

Moving forward with falling numbers

ewtemp — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:21 +0100

A GROWING CHALLENGE faced by our schools today is how to lead the school successfully through a period of falling numbers on roll. This has more often been an issue facing the primary sector but, inevitably, will affect the secondary schools in the years to come. The impact of falling rolls is far-reaching. As well as the obvious budget cuts, there will be other repercussions that will need to be planned for and managed strategically to avoid impeding the school’s development.

Speaking school finances: extended schools

ewtemp — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:21 +0100

By Ruth Bradbury

At the conference, there were several mentions of the extended schools agenda – particularly in relation to fundraising issues – but also a number of more general points about the role of the extended school in the community. A couple of the speakers clarified and reinforced my own views about the initiative and the way that it fits not only into wider national agendas but also – ultimately – into the drive to raise standards of attainment in our schools.

The economic benefit of going green

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:17 +0100

The government has signalled its intention to raise the profile of sustainability for schools over the next few years. While sustainable development comes from a realisation that we cannot continue to manage the earth’s natural resources in a careless manner (see definition below), it also has key financial implications for schools.

Investors in People in primary schools

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:16 +0100

In 2003, Withernsea Junior School took a proactive approach to continuing professional development and performance management. We felt that Investors in People accreditation would provide formal recognition of this and would enhance the school's image and reputation. The school always looks for ways to improve and build upon its image and saw the Investors in People standards as a way of improving our existing climate and culture, with staff development seen as an essential contribution to raising achievement.

The benefits and challenges of Victorian buildings

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:11 +0100

Found in virtually every village and town across the UK, the Victorian school is an integral part of the landscape. But their existence is coming under threat and alternative uses are being sought to prevent their demolition. Nurseries and kindergartens are regarded as a perfect answer – and those who have already used this type of building agree.

Recruitment matters

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:10 +0100

Undoubtedly the key asset and investment in any school is its population, both staff and students. Therefore, it makes sound financial sense to ensure that everything possible is done to safeguard their welfare, a fact which is recognised in the DfES document Safeguarding Children: Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings. In this article, we review the major features of the document and suggest how ignoring its content can have serious financial implications for your school.

Community learning environments: a business manager's perspective

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:09 +0100

As a school situated in a socially deprived area, with students unable to experience wider opportunities, Withernsea Junior School is continually looking for new ways to enrich and promote the enjoyment of its students’ education. More recently, as the extended schools agenda has gathered pace, we have also considered what we might offer to our community.

Purchasing advice: integrated ICT desks

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:09 +0100

The advent of ICT across the curriculum is beginning to place a whole range of new resource demands on schools that usually fall to the bursar/business manager to manage. The introduction into schools of more than one dedicated ICT suite has occurred in parallel with the siting of clusters of computers in other places throughout the school – from libraries to classrooms.

Making vouchers work for you

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:08 +0100

I recently attended a policy forum at which a range of providers, small and large, met officials from DfES, Treasury and local authorities. We covered a range of issues from children’s centres to top-ups, but when the conversation turned to vouchers I was amazed to hear so many complaints.

School transport: basic law and best practice

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:05 +0100

The main school transport duties pertain to local authorities (LAs). But schools must be aware of the duties because they have to give LAs information, advise parents of their rights and responsibilities, and draw up a school transport policy and travel plan.

In this article, there is a summary of the law on school transport, with guidance on how to interpret it. Then we look at government initiatives for improving home-school travel arrangements.

THE LOCAL AUTHORITY DUTY

More encouragement for extended schools

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:05 +0100

Planning and funding extended schools, follows on from the prospectus, Access to services and opportunities for all, issued in June last year.

Securing the school perimeter and buildings

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:04 +0100

No two schools have exactly the same security issues or concerns, each one is unique and must be treated accordingly. Each has a different set of risks, which must be taken into account when evaluating security needs. What follows is give generic advice that I would urge you to consider in relation to your own school. Your school security officer is the best person to evaluate the safety of your school.

Four things to ask yourself:

School buildings security

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:04 +0100

1. Discourage unauthorised entry onto the site

Arson and fire prevention

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:04 +0100

There are typically two types of young firesetter: a ‘curiosity firesetter’ and a ‘problem firesetter’.

Curiosity Firesetter

Managing and accounting for funds you have raised

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:58 +0100

Whether you are a large social enterprise nursery or a voluntary pre-school, applying for funding or fundraising is likely to figure prominently in your activities.

Managing your funds

A sporting chance

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:51 +0100

On 6 July 2005 the Olympic Games of 2012 were awarded to the city of London. The nation rejoiced in this victory and there was the common desire to make these games the best and most successful in history. From the prime minister there was the intention that, once again, the sporting prowess of the nation would be recognised and celebrated.

Speaking school finances: ICT

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:47 +0100

By Ruth Bradbury

Where has all the money gone?

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:46 +0100

IMAGINE A SCHOOL where dinner money never gets lost or stolen and the canteen never runs out of change. An innovative company has managed not only to achieve that, but has taken it a stage further. In addition to its swipecard and touch-screen systems it has devised a system of accounts which can’t be operated by anyone other than the account owner and which doesn’t rely on students remembering pin numbers – it is all triggered biometrically.

Touch-screen technology

Focus on charitable trusts

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:46 +0100

THERE ARE SEVERAL thousand grant-giving trusts and foundations in the UK. This article will highlight some of the charitable trusts that set up to distribute grants to educational projects across the UK. I will look at some of the current priorities within a number of large national trusts, and will consider what types of educational projects have recently been supported.

Statistics on the UK trust sector

Speaking school finances: maternity leave

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:46 +0100

By Ruth Bradbury

So first of all, what am I not missing? Well, I’ve not missed the queue of angry teachers at my office door complaining that their rooms are too cold on the first morning of slight frost. And I haven’t missed the same queue of teachers a week later when the weather has improved complaining that their rooms are too warm. I haven’t missed the last-minute frantic rush for the Christmas carol service (where can we buy a life-size model sheep at 24 hours’ notice?).

Building schools for the future: how the programme works

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:35 +0100

BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE (BSF) is the Government's strategic programme for capital investment in our secondary schools, which is being rolled out by the Department for Education and Skills. The programme was launched in February 2004.

BSF aims to create state-of-the-art schools with new facilities to improve the educational experience of every child in the country.

MAJOR CHANGES TO EDUCATION

Increased funding two years from Feb 2006

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:23 +0100

The government will continue closing the historic gap between primary and secondary funding by guaranteeing a 4% per pupil rise for primary schools. The DfES has acknowledged particularly that primary schools need additional funds to implement the costs of the final stage of workforce reform. For 2007-08 both sectors have been promised a minimum increase of 3.7%.

Standard supports financial management

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:23 +0100

It builds on the earlier work done by the Audit Commission when it produced the series of booklets starting with Keeping Your Balance. The expanded toolkit covers strategic management and all financial processes; the Financial Management Standard is a brief (one page) summary of good practice.

Speaking school finances: support staff

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:20 +0100

By Ruth Bradbury

Training governors to be fundraisers

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:17 +0100

What’s more, for the first time in history:

- the average school building is over 25 years old;
- around 90% of school costs are for staffing.

One typical primary school has seen dramatic changes over the past five years both in what it raises funds for and how it does it. Originally the odd jumble sale or low key summer fete would raise cash for the ‘icing on the cake’ items – resources that the school budget wouldn’t stretch to.

Making the most of MIS

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:14 +0100

I once met a primary school secretary who had two chairs in her room – nothing unusual about that, of course. One was an ordinary office chair pulled up to the desk at which she added up registers, counted money and sorted through sticking plasters – all the things that school secretaries have traditionally done. The other chair was one of those revolving jobs that typists sit on and it faced a metal table, off to the side, bearing a computer. She called the typist’s chair ‘my computer chair’.

School Financial Management

jlee — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:59:57 +0000