With budgets under pressure and costs on the rise, schools across the UK are being challenged to deliver more for less. This insightful recorded panel from the Schools & Academies Show London brings together leading CFOs, business leaders and facilities managers to share practical ways to maximise resources, streamline operations and still deliver excellent outcomes for pupils.
This discussion focused on key topics such as:
💡 Defining excellence – setting a clear vision for quality across teaching, facilities and support services and aligning budgets to achieve it.
📊 Data-driven decision making – using integrated curriculum and financial planning, dashboards and analytics to target spending where it matters most.
🏫 Balancing local and trust priorities – how to meet the unique needs of individual schools while delivering efficiency across a multi-academy trust.
⚙️ Facilities, compliance & safety – maintaining high standards in estates management, health & safety and sustainability while managing costs.
👥 Staff engagement & culture – building buy-in for change, harnessing staff networks and supporting recruitment through creative approaches.
💷 Long-term vs short-term investment – planning ahead for capital projects, digital transformation and workforce sustainability.
📈 Income generation – making the most of school assets, lettings and investment income without compromising the school’s core purpose.
Panelists include:
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Mark O’Brien – Chief Operating Officer, Marjory Kinnon School
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Ben March – CFO, STEP Academy Trust
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Caroline Munroe – Head of Finance, Advanced Learning Partnership
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Benedict Yue – CFO, River Learning Trust
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Robin Harrison – Facilities & Resources Manager, Rushcliffe Spencer Academy
🎧 Listen to the full session for free below and discover actionable ways to stretch your school budget further without sacrificing educational quality 👇
