Have you ever been attracted by the financial freedom of academies but wondered what the drawbacks are? Gary Dawson guides you through the issues read more
The support of a school business manager can make all the difference to your next Ofsted inspection, explains Nina Siddle read more
Effective management of support staff depends on a set of basic systems being in place. Ruth Bradbury looks at how to build teams, define roles and establish effective performance management read more
Ruth Bradbury considers the relationship and boundaries between the roles of school business manager and teaching and learning leader read more
Prudence, consistency, accruals and going concern: Ruth Bradbury explains how the four principles of effective accountancy can help schools develop robust financial systems read more
From taking assemblies to sharing your professional expertise, there are many ways for business managers to raise the profile of their work. Paul Ainsworth and Josephine Smith explain how to make a bigger contribution and climb the career ladder at the same time read more
To err is human, to forgive, divine… Ruth Bradbury ponders the fallibility of senior leaders read more
My new school is in a different local authority to my previous school, and since taking up my post I have met with a wide range of LA representatives to introduce myself and to get an understanding of the way that we can work together in areas such as finance, personnel, premises and extended services read more
Josie Earnshaw outlines the benefits of a comprehensive support staff review at her Barnsley school read more
Josephine Smith and Paul Ainsworth describe how school financial managers can contribute to school improvement by becoming involved in class observation and work scrutiny read more
Paul Ainsworth and Josephine Smith argue that it is increasingly important for school finance managers – especially those aspiring to lead schools – to understand the process of teaching and learning read more
Nina Siddle explains how a primary cluster in East Yorkshire tackled the challenge of providing high-quality ICT support read more
Ruth Bradbury offers a wealth of practical advice on getting the most from the extended schools initiative read more
Small schools have limited resources and some funding streams can be very restrictive. Paul Ainsworth describes how one group of schools is seeking to overcome these problems read more
Tracy Doyle maps out a way to align the budget process with the school improvement plan read more
Schools face a huge procurement challenge, and the DfES has set up services to help them make savings read more
What’s an acceptable collective term for all the school business managers, administrators, catering staff, HR professionals, caretakers, secretaries and everyone else other than teachers? read more
A major new report could herald a new era in the leadership of schools, paving the way for the first headteachers to be appointed from finance, not teaching backgrounds read more
There are pros and cons of chosing to take the franchise option to expand. Angela Youngman reports read more
Donald Maclean outlines some of the latest techniques and new technologies being introduced to help school finance staff keep utility costs under control read more
The school business manager’s role goes beyond simply managing finances, says Hilary Morrison read more
Sharon Wallwork provides comprehensive advice on dealing with a decline in student numbers. She argues that, far from being something that only schools in specific circumstances should be concerned about, all educational institutions need to assess the risks of declining numbers and the huge financial implications this can bring read more
I have just got back from the SFM annual conference in London: a long journey for me, but definitely worth it – not only because it gave me the opportunity to present a couple of sessions, but also because it is encouraging to see the quality and variety of business management professionals who are now working in our schools. read more
Sima Goldsmith considers the environmental and financial implications of the sustainable schools agenda read more
Nina Siddle explains how one school in East Yorkshire found widespread benefits from engaging with the Investors in People programme read more
Taking on an old building is a commitment that can pay dividends, says Angela Youngman. read more
We outline the key child safety issues to be born in mind when recruiting staff and explain the financial implications of getting it wrong. read more
Under the extended schools agenda, all schools are expected to enhance their community provision and open up their sites to embrace a range of wider community initiatives. Nina Siddle explains how one school in East Yorkshire is developing an innovative garden area, and outlines the key role that school business managers can play in such initiatives read more
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. read more
Ross Midgley of the Crocus Early Years group offers some practical ideas for managing payments by voucher. read more
New initiatives, including travel plans and school transport advisers, are being introduced. Managers ignore these at their peril, writes Ingrid Sutherland. read more
The government’s campaign to persuade more schools to offer extended services continues with the publication of new guidance. read more
Dave Cotton, Force Crime Reduction Officer at West Midlands Police Force, looks at security risks and gives safety advice for schools, staff and pupils. read more
Advice and ideas for securing the school site and buildings, compiled by Dave Cotton, West Midlands Police Force and Nick Bason, Arson Prevention Bureau. read more
Arson attacks on schools are serious and frequent. Nick Bason of the Arson Prevention Bureau sets out the key aspects of awareness and prevention. read more
Nathan Archer, from the children’s house consultancy, guides you through the regulations relating to managing any money that you have raised from outside sources, and reminds you of the legalities surrounding local fundraising. read more
Neil Short, education consultant and former head, looks at how schools are facing up to the challenge of supporting and developing sporting talent among young pupils. read more
In my own school, and I suspect in many others, each summer holiday sees the introduction of more and more ICT equipment. read more
The cashless school will bring a dramatic range of benefits for students, parents and schools. read more
Charitable trusts give more than £350m to education annually. Louise Germaney looks at some of the biggest grant-giving foundations. read more
I’ve been on maternity leave for over two months now, and although my hands are more than full most of the time with my beautiful baby daughter, I find myself occasionally considering what might be going on at work in my absence. read more
The BSF scheme relies on successful public-private partnerships. Sharon Jones and Rachel Williams look at how the local authority goes about putting these in place. read more
In February 2006, it was announced that Secondary schools in England were to receive a guaranteed minimum increase in their core funding of 3.4% per pupil for 2006-07. read more
The DfES has produced an extensive toolkit to support financial management in schools. read more
The closure of hundreds of schools across the country as a result of the recent Unison day of action over pensions can serve as a reminder of how essential support staff are for the day-to-day functioning of our schools. read more
Fundraising for school activities is nothing new. Only now with the pressures of workforce reform and initiatives such as extended schools and specialist status, many schools are reviewing the way they have to raise funds. read more
Most schools have not kept up with what management information systems can do for them, says education writer and former headteacher Gerald Haigh. Here he illustrates how they can make more of equipment they already have in school. read more