How can schools and trusts thrive when their budgets are under constant pressure?

Our essential webinar, Smarter schools: budgeting for impact, not just survival brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss it.

In addition to an uncompromising look at the real challenges and frustrations leaders face, they also revealed some important solutions.

The webinar recording is available now. But if you want an overview, here are some of the key takeaways.

The experts – providing insight and optimism

Here’s who set the bar high with their expertise:

John Murphy (host) – Mentor, advisor and speaker in educational leadership

Peter Hughes – CEO of the Mossbourne Federation

Bless Yue – Chief Financial Officer of the River Learning Trust

Stephen Morales – MA, FISBL, F.InstESE – CEO of the Institute of School Business Leadership

Corey Bateman – CEO of the Pioneer Learning Trust

John Murphy, in organizing the event, outlined his purpose.

He told online participants: “What we want you to do is leave the call with clarity, and we want you to leave the call with optimism. »

Money remains the biggest problem for schools

Despite the webinar’s optimistic, solutions-focused approach, the panel did not shy away from the harsh reality.

The panel painted a sobering picture: budgets in real terms stable or falling, rising costs due to inflation, energy and wages, and ever-increasing demands. The latter is particularly felt around the SEND provision.

As Peter Hughes pointed out: “We are being asked to do more things now, but we have less money to do them. »

The problem is much more than a funding gap

Benedicte Yue summarized the financial situation as she saw it. “The next three years […] The stable funding announcement looks pretty dire – when we have inflation at 3.8% and the living wage going up by 4.1% in April next year,” she said.

“We have a funding model that does not support inclusive education, society or the economy. The return on investment is quite low if we look at it from a macro perspective.

“While successive governments are calling for record funding, this is happening against a backdrop of inflation and rising pupil numbers. So once you start looking at the situation in real terms of increase per pupil it is not so convincing.”

She added: “We really need to clarify the vision of education we want as a society and build a funding model that supports this vision. Education must no longer be seen as a cost to be managed but as an investment that can generate significant educational, societal and economic benefits.”

The power of intertrust relationships

One of the most inspiring themes of the webinar was the power of relationships. Cori Bateman said that for the Pioneer Learning Trust, building these relationships was “the biggest solution to everything”.

It builds genuine partnerships with other trusts and the wider community.

Cori described how her trust exchanged expertise and resources with neighboring trusts. Where one may need a location, another may offer some expertise in return. No money exchanges hands.

“Reciprocity is one of our fundamental principles,” she said. She said it’s a powerful way to use taxpayer dollars wisely.

Strategic clarity and organizational design

Another recurring theme was the need for strategic clarity. Peter Hughes explained how Mossbourne Federation has streamlined its curriculum and budgeting processes to focus on what matters most. He said: “If you don’t know what’s important to you, you have no chance of managing your resources. »

Peter’s approach is to share budgets openly between directors. Schools are empowered to make decisions about their own resources.

Operational efficiency and technology adoption

How to work smarter?

Benedict Yue highlighted the benefits of integrated data systems and evidence-based decision-making. Meanwhile, Stephen Morales highlighted the importance of systems integration and data-driven insights.

Standardizing processes and using digital tools can save valuable time and money. This allows staff to concentrate on core educational activities.

Strengthening people and capacities

No system can succeed without the right people. Our panel said the following were essential to long-term sustainability:

• Invest in staff development
• Develop internal expertise
• Ensuring the right people are in the right roles

Sometimes this means outsourcing or sharing services to manage costs and improve results. But above all, this means valuing and developing the people who make schools work.

Adaptability, optimism and advocacy

Speakers encouraged a mindset of adaptability, innovation and optimism. Instead, schools were encouraged to take a proactive, community-led approach. In doing so, they could seek continuous improvement and advocate for industry-wide change.

Stephen Morales said: “We need an ecosystem that lends itself to helping each other and sharing best practices and innovation. »

Watch the webinar, get all the information

Smarter schools: budgeting for impact, not just survival, It was an hour filled with valuable information and real-world examples.

As a result, this blog can only scratch the surface. But there is good news.

The webinar is available now, on demand.