Great schools recognise their role as stewards and the importance of ensuring that they deliver a sustainable quality of education for the next generation of learners. They are sustainable organisations that, as a result of proactive income generation, prudent budget management and strategic resource deployment, are able to deliver educational excellence for the longer term.
Great school leaders routinely evaluate and review process, practice and impact to ensure that they allocate resources in ways that will realise their aims and vision and attain the best outcomes. They are focussed on the future: experts at horizon scanning, anticipating and planning for the needs and requirements of both current and future cohorts.
Great schools understand that effective long-term strategic, curriculum, organisational and financial planning enables schools to maximise the impact of available funding. Consequently, leaders (including governors) regularly review the impact of the school’s investment, adapting practice and resourcing where necessary. As a result of continued, shared focus, a great school is able to demonstrate how their proactive, needs-based financial planning has led to improved outcomes for the school community.
A great school is able to articulate a process for financial planning and delivery that meets the needs of stakeholders, is regularly reviewed and adapted in the light of feedback, and has a narrative aligned to the educational imperatives and priorities of the learning community.
This lens will typically be reflected in:
- Finance and Staffing Committee minutes
- Budget planning systems and documentation
- Financial action plans/Annual Finance Report
- Sustainability reports
- Team/department budget plans
- Recruitment and retention strategy/succession plan
- Organisational structure benchmarking
- Pupil Premium plan
- Sports Grant plan
- PAN info
- Site and asset plan
- Lettings Policy and audit
- SFVS and financial delegation
- PTA reports
- Governor visits and reports
- Technology strategy
General documents, policies and procedures in which you might typically see the lenses reflected.
Case studies
Resources
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The Teacher Gap - Rebecca Allen and Sam Sims, 2018
Integrated curriculum financial planning tools and metrics
Academies financial handbook
Ways in which HFL can provide support
EdTech/AI
Digital strategy and technology in schools
Finance reviews - Financial Services
Review of staffing structures - HR and Financial Services
Restructure advice, succession planning advice, job description design, HR policy creation, organisational design – HR Services
Guiding best use of office resources and workload - Business Management Services
SRMA visits - Business Management Services
GDPR compliance - Business Management Services
Effectiveness of data management processes - Data Management Services
Governance training, especially Financial, Succession Planning and Becoming an Effective Chair (core competencies)
School sustainability
Curriculum modelling and timetabling
Technology audit- Technology in Schools
Technology strategy sessions- Technology in Schools
Please contact us for further information on 01438 544464 or email info@hfleducation.org
The Great School Framework is made up of:
Ambitious, inspirational and strategic leadership (inc. governance)
Shared, aspirational vision, values and culture
A community where all are empowered and valued
An outward looking, collaborative mindset
An ongoing commitment to learn with and from others
Embedded, forensic self-review and reflection
Been designed and resourced for long term exceptional outcomes
An inclusive, settled and safe environment for all
Exceptional teaching, learning and assessment
A rich, broad, balanced and bespoke curriculum
The Great School Framework is the intellectual property of HFL Education and copyrighted. It may not be used unacknowledged by others.