Helping schools use resources well

Schools are under more pressure than ever to make the most effective use of resources through partnership, sharing services and smarter procurement and purchases, while at the same time continuing to deliver improvements in pupil outcomes. This section explores how successful leadership strategies, personnel management and financial management can help school leaders and school business managers to make best use of their resources.

Ten ways to help your school manage its budget effectively
Extract from an ldr magazine article.
Securing the best for less
The findings of research projects investigating how schools can use their resources more efficiently and effectively.
Cash management
How schools can manage their cash holdings effectively, through choosing the right bank accounts and developing procedures for cash flow forecasting, invoicing and credit control.
Evaluating financial resource management
Evaluating the allocation and use of financial resources is an essential part of effective school business management. This article explains different approaches to evaluation and introduces the concepts of best value, benchmarking and effective procurement.
Creating capacity for strategic and operational leadership
How headteachers can use distributed leadership, leadership development and good time management to design and grow an organisation that builds the strategic and operational capacity of its staff.
Personnel and benefits management
How to recruit and select job candidates, plus an overview of personnel management issues including induction, employment policies and procedures and employee benefits.
Leading learning and teaching
How the headteacher can use the whole school workforce to continually improve the school’s learning culture and improve outcomes for pupils.
Managing the organisation
The role of the headteacher in leading and managing change, including building teams and external collaborations to secure positive outcomes for pupils.
Effective use of resources: case studies
Examples of how schools are using their resources efficiently.
Your money-saving tips: a National College discussion
A list of ways schools can save money, summarised from a members-only online network discussion.

Publications

Exploring the links between performance management and improved standards
The effects of performance management on standards
Planning and managing meetings
Tips and advice to help you plan and manage effective meetings
School Business Management - A quiet revolution, part 2
An summary of evidence showing the development and future of the role of school business managers and the impact they have on schools - part 2
School Business Management - A quiet revolution, part 1
An overview of evidence showing the development and future of the role of school business managers and the impact they have on schools - part 1
A review of the impact on governors and leaders of federations in the UK and Netherlands
Following two schools which have formed a hard federation, led by an executive headteacher, this study draws attention to the leadership challenges inherent in bringing together previously separate organisations

More related publications

Interactive resources

Effective performance appraisals (full interview)
Get the most from your performance appraisals with team members
Resource management checklist
A handy checklist to making sure you have everything you need to deliver effective results
Top tips: presenting financial information
Tips to help you present financial information clearly and concisely
Top tips for negotiating your budget
Top tips to help put yourself in a stronger position when justifying your budget
Top tips for effective peer appraisal
If you are responsible for conducting performance reviews, these tips will ensure you are well prepared and able to conduct the meetings with confidence

More related interactive resources

Articles

Your money-saving tips: a National College discussion
A list of ways schools can save money, summarised from a members-only online network discussion
Managing the organisation
The role of the headteacher in leading and managing change, including building teams and external collaborations to secure positive outcomes for pupils.
Creating capacity for strategic and operational leadership
How headteachers can use distributed leadership, leadership development and good time management to design and grow an organisation that builds the strategic and operational capacity of its staff.
Procurement
An introduction to good practice in procurement, tendering and contracts in schools, and how to use these processes to obtain value for money.
Personnel and benefits management
How to recruit and select job candidates, plus an overview of personnel management issues including induction, employment policies and procedures and employee benefits.