The Schools Value for Money Consultancy programme is available to every school in England that would like advice in delivering value for money. The focus of the programme is on helping schools explore the challenges they face, developing action plans to address them, and providing advice on where to get further help. This is a free service for all maintained schools in England.
The advice will be tailored to focus on the issues of most importance to each school, but our research has identified six themes that commonly affect schools in their delivery of value for money:
Wider school workforce – how schools plan and manage their staffing
Leadership – how much time and experience school leaders have to focus on delivering value for money
Strategic management – how schools approach financial and resource management, including linking the two with school improvement
Collaboration and partnership – how schools work together - and with other organisations - to improve outcomes together
Challenge and Governance – the role of the Governing Body in supporting delivery of value for money
Procurement performance – how schools approach procurement
The advice process for each school is divided into three phases:
First - we ask each school to complete a short questionnaire which will help our consultants understand where best to focus their support. Our consultant will discuss with the school where that focus should lie, and who should be involved from the school team.
Second - our consultant will spend a day with the school team, exploring the two issues that have been identified as most relevant. This will involve reviewing plans and other documents, discussing challenges with relevant members of staff, and identifying immediate actions that the schools could undertake to address their issues.
Third - our consultant will report back to the school, providing a written record of the discussions and advice on where to get further relevant advice and support. The school will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the support their have received.
Our team is comprised of education specialists. Many of them have a background in school leadership, school improvement, or education management. The team is located across the country, meaning they will be familiar with the local context in which schools work. As part of the booking process, each school will be given details of the consultant who will be working with them.
To book your consultancy support, click on the tab above. For more information, please use the contact us facility.