The range of support & guidance provided to schools to manage financial performance and ensure compliance with statutory regulations includes:
IT services:
Central management of IT systems. Trust IT manager and an IT support manager allocated to your school, to support the local IT team. Career pathway and training programme for IT staff including IT condition surveys and costed IT strategy with ongoing support to implement. Option to buy in to the TCA (Trust Condition Allocation) for IT, which covers lifecycle replacement of all IT infrastructure and associated licences including:
- Broadband
- Web filtering
- Anti-virus & anti-ransomware
- Wireless network
- Servers
- Backup hardware and software
- 3rd line server support
- 3rd line Office365 support
- Telephone system
- Centralised proceduremnt and management of Microsoft licensing
- Web hosting
- Classroom interactive screens
- Safeguarding solution (Impero)
- Salamander
- 3rd line MIS strategy
- Air-gap backups
Premises:
- Condition surveys of the school estate every 3-5 years
- Costed premises strategy with access to the Trust SCA for priority capital projects
- Liaise with and support site teams with management of other minor works
- Statutory compliance service trusted service providers*
- Statutory compliance audit
Risk management:
- Risk management dashboard**
- Development of school risk register, working with senior team
- Training for Headteacher and senior colleagues
- Termly risk management review meetings
- Health & safety competent person*
- Templates and resources to support H&S and risk management
Procurement:
- Procurement assistance, in line with the competitive tendering policy
- Energy procurement
- Group procurement to achieve the best value where appropriate
- Advice on procuring through framework agreements
- Management of operating leases & contract management
**subsidised by the Trust
Compliance operating documents:
- Academies financial handbook
- Funding agreement
- Finance manual
- Scheme of delegation
Statutory returns:
- Consolidated returns
Central finance team:
- Chief Financial Officer, Financial Controller, Finance Managers and Finance Assistant
- General finance advice & guidance
- Training & support
PS Financials Management System:
- Central PSF administration
- On-line approval of orders by management
Financial policies:
- Suite of financial policies
Standard templates:
- Requisition & checklists
- Processing guides
Central purchasing:
- Economies of scale
- Contracts advise
- Intercompany recharges
Audits:
- Annual external audit by accountants
- Termly internal assurance visits by external providers
- Teachers' pensions
Banking facilities:
- Account opening/closing administration
- Online banking administration
- Multi-card (credit card) facility administration
- Central DDR/STO & cash on deposit instructions
Annual Accounts:
- Prepared by accountants
- Submission to the ESFA and companies house
Payroll:
- External provider central SLA
- Third party BACs notifications