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

*additional cost option

**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