PFI: Challenging overly expensive contracts As an academy trust CEO, Andrew Chubb successfully challenged aspects of his school’s PFI contract, leading to substantial savings. He looks here at why PFI often proves unfairly expensive for schools – and what can be done about it
Why you should renegotiate your school’s contracts now How will the Covid-19 pandemic affect your purchasing power? Procurement consultant Naomi Clews says it makes sense to revisit your existing contracts now to secure best value for money for your school
Spending the £650m Covid 'catch-up' funding: Some things to consider The government’s £650m so-called catch-up premium amounts to £80 per-pupil. Matt Bromley looks at how the funding is being delivered, how we might spend it, and Ofsted’s role in the coming months
Saving money on your school's rateable value What is your school’s rateable value? Are you overpaying? Mark Paterson looks at how schools might be able to make substantial savings
Ed-tech in 2020 and beyond Ahead of Bett 2020, Caroline Wright looks at BESA’s latest research findings on the state of ed-tech in UK schools and the challenges faced by the sector, not least when it comes to teacher training
The procurement process: Best practice for schools Are your school’s procurement processes up-to-scratch and compliant? Imogen Rowley offers a quick checklist to help you evaluate your practices
Fundraising: Using your school site Raising income by using your buildings and grounds can be one way of boosting your school’s finances. Brin Best advises
Avoiding financial scams Financial scams, including bank mandate fraud, often target schools and staff need to be aware of what to look out for. Dave Verma advises
Securing funds from businesses Continuing his recent series of fundraising advice articles, Brin Best looks at how schools should engage with business – both locally and further afield – in order to raise funds and attract other support
Are you aware of fraud? Figures suggest that discovered fraud in the schools sector was in the region of £1 million last year. Expert Dave Verma offers eight easy steps schools can take to lower the risks
Effective fundraising applications The secret to fundraising success can often come down to writing and compiling effective applications. Brin Best offers nine steps to planning and writing successful funding applications
Fundraising: Grant-making trusts Many schools do not consider applying to grant-making trusts for funding, even though they are well-placed to make successful bids. Brin Best explains more and lists some of his top trusts to apply to
School business leadership (not management) Debbie Beazer discusses her path to becoming a school business leader and the changing role of this vital position within the school team
Seven good sources for school fundraising With school budgets under huge pressure and little respite on the horizon, fundraising has never been more important. Brin Best gives us an overview of some external funding sources available to schools
Three major challenges for 2018 As the new year begins, what changes do you need to prepare for? Richard Skipper discusses three major challenges waiting for us in 2018
Devising an effective fundraising strategy A carefully thought-out fundraising strategy that links closely with your school improvement plan could be considered an essential for modern schools. Expert Brin Best discusses how to devise an effective fundraising strategy for your school
Are schools on the brink of a financial crisis? The results of the second consultation are out. But the proposed new funding formula is only part of the problem. Suzanne O’Connell looks at how school leaders responded and what some of the key factors are in the plans for the future funding of our schools
Recruiting a brilliant school business leader How can you ensure that your school recruits a school business leader who is effective and successful? Sandy Tomlinson offers her advice
Ideas to boost your school budgets Budget pressures continue to build, with little sign of respite ahead. Sara Martin looks at how schools have been creating opportunities in their local communities and beyond to stretch and boost their budgets
Procurement contracts: Avoid getting caught out Busy headteachers are often warned against the dangers of signing up to procurement contracts without proper caution. Dorothy Lepkowska seeks some advice on avoiding common pitfalls
Financial turmoil forecast for schools The DfE has set out more detail of its plans for a fairer funding system. But with no new money, there will be winners and losers. Meanwhile, schools are facing increasing costs and real-terms reductions in per-pupil funding
Diary of a Headteacher: The Apprenticeship Levy Like many headteachers, Tom Donohoe is facing the prospect of paying the Apprenticeship Levy...
Making your school’s resources go further A new report has highlighted possible savings that schools could make to help stretch their budgets further in these difficult times. School business director Nina Siddle explains how simple changes introduced at her school have saved precious time and money
School fundraising: Auction Nights and other ideas If you get it right, school fundraising events can be among the highest earners in terms of additional income. Tom Donohoe discusses his most successful event – the Auction Night – as well as a few other ideas to bring together your wider community in support of the school
Secrets to success for fundraising in your school community In recent times, Anton Junior School has successfully raised funds for three major projects. Headteacher Tom Donohoe explains the key tenets of the school’s approach to fundraising
