The key takeaways from our big budgeting webinar for schools and trusts

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

Our must-see webinar, Smarter Schools: Budgeting for Impact, Not Just Survival, brought sector leaders and experts together to discuss just that.

As well as an uncompromising look at the real challenges and frustrations leaders face, they also revealed some important solutions.

The webinar recording is available to view now. But if you want a sneak peek, here are some of the key takeaways.

The experts – bringing insight and optimism

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

John Murphy (the host) – Education Leadership Mentor, Advisor and Public Speaker

Peter Hughes – CEO of the Mossbourne Federation

Benedicte Yue – CFO of the River Learning Trust

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

Cori Bateman – CEO of the Pioneer Learning Trust

John Murphy, in hosting the event, set out its aim.

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

Money is still the biggest issue for schools

Despite the optimistic, solution-based approach of the webinar, the panel didn’t shy away from stark realities.

The panel painted a sobering picture: flat or declining real-terms budgets, rising costs from inflation, energy, and salaries, and ever-increasing demands. The latter can be felt particularly around SEND provision.

As Peter Hughes noted, “We’re being asked to do more things now, but we’ve got less money being provided to do it.”

The problem is more than a funding gap

Benedicte Yue summed up the funding situation as she saw it. “The next three years […] look pretty dire with flat funding announced – while we’ve got 3.8% inflation and the living wage increasing by 4.1% in April next year,” she said.

“We have a funding model that is not supporting inclusive education, nor supporting society or the economy. The return on investment is pretty poor if we look at it from a macro point of view.

“Whilst the successive governments are claiming record funding, this is happening in the context of inflation and rising pupil numbers. So, once you start to look at it on a real term per pupil increase, it’s not so compelling.”

She added: “We really need clarity on what vision of Education we want as a society and build a funding model that supports that vision.  Education should stop being seen as a cost to be managed but as an investment that can yield significant educational, societal and economic benefits.”

The power of inter-trust relationships

One of the most inspiring themes to emerge in 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”.

She forges genuine partnerships with other trusts and with the wider community.

Cori described how her trust has swapped expertise and resources with neighbouring trusts. Where one might need a venue, another can offer some expertise in return. No money swaps hands.

“Reciprocity is one of our core underpinning principles,” she said. She added it was a powerful way to use taxpayer money wisely.

Strategic clarity and organisational design

Another recurring theme was the need for strategic clarity. Peter Hughes shared how the Mossbourne Federation 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’ve got no chance of managing your resources.”

Peter’s approach involves sharing budgets openly among principals. Schools are empowered to make decisions about their own resources.

Operational efficiency and embracing technology

How can you work smarter?

Benedict Yue pointed to the benefits of integrated data systems and evidence-led decision-making. Meanwhile, Stephen Morales emphasised the importance of system integration and data-driven insights.

Standardising processes and using digital tools can free valuable time and money. As a result, staff can focus on core educational activities.

People and capacity building

No system can succeed without the right people. Our panel said that the following were critical for long-term sustainability:

• Investing in staff development
• Building internal expertise
• Ensuring the right people are in the right roles

Sometimes, this means outsourcing or sharing services to manage costs and improve outcomes. But above all, it 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 sector-wide change.

Stephen Morales said, “We need an ecosystem that lends itself to leaning into each other and sharing best practice and innovation.”

Watch the webinar, get all the insights

Smarter Schools: Budgeting for Impact, Not Just Survival, was an hour packed with valuable insights 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.