School resources and finance

About school resources and finance

The Education Resources team oversees and manages important areas linked to school finances. They look at schools that are in deficit and provide support where needed. This includes challenging performance. It also includes putting the right actions in place to help schools recover and stay financially stable in the long term.

The team also organises and runs the Schools Forum and School Business ManagersForum. These groups act as key platforms for decision-making and communication. Through them, the team helps make sure:

decisions are open and clear
schools and the Local Authority stay connected
guidance is given to School Business Managers on financial and operational issues

Section 251 Budget

Local authorities (LAs) are required under Section 251 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009, to prepare and submit an education and children's social care budget statement to the Secretary of State for Education. The prescribed period for this budget statement covers a financial year, from 1 April to 31 March.

Regulatory provisions directly affecting the education content of the budget statement are also made in the School Finance (England) Regulation.

Purpose

It is a statutory duty for LAs to publish their budget statements in line with the prescribed regulations issued by the Secretary of State for Education. The budget statement provides information on the size of the Schools Budget (SB) and the amount to be allocated to each factor depending on budget decisions. The LA, in discussion with the School Forum, will make these budget decisions before the prescribed period. The budget statement provides the means of informing schools and the general public about the funding plans for the forthcoming year.

The budget statement published for a particular period provides a clear picture of the LA's plans on:

how much is intended to be spent on the non-schools Education Budget outside the SB and other children's social care
how much is proposed to be retained centrally within the SB for school services
how much has been allocated for early years, high needs and alternative provision

Form and content

All local authorities are required to publish their statements based on a common format, which include: table one (LA level information), table one (annex - early years pro forma) and table three (high needs and alternative provision summary). View the:

Scheme for financing schools

This scheme, in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, outlines the financial framework for funding maintained schools.

It also sets out the relationship between maintained schools and the local authority, and the principles underpinning the financial controls within which delegation to schools operates.

View the latest version of the scheme (PDF, 859.74 KB).

Schools Forum

What is the Schools Forum?

In Enfield, the Schools Forum is run by the Education Resources Team. The Resources Coordinator acts as the Clerk.

The Forum looks at and comments on

school funding proposals
issues with school budgets
contracts for services provided to schools

The Local Authority (LA) leads the process. It brings proposals to the Forum, organises and records meetings, and shares outcomes with schools. The Forum does not create its own proposals, but it can comment on them and sometimes make decisions.

Structure of the Schools Forum

At least two-thirds of members must be from schools or academies
Up to one-third can be non-school members
Non-school members must include representatives from Early Years and 16–19 education

Members are expected to:

represent their sector (schools, academies, early years, etc.)
take a wider view across all education, not just their own organisation
take part in discussions and decisions on school funding

How the Schools Forum works in Enfield

The Schools Forum usually meets five or six times a year. Meetings are timed to fit with the council and school budget process, and they are open to the public. Meeting dates and papers are available online.

School Business Managers Forum

The Education Resources Team runs the Enfield School Business Managers (SBM) Forum. This is a network recognised by the Department for Education (DfE). It meets at least five times a year, with at least two meetings held in person.

The forum is chaired by Wendy Ochs, CFO/COO at Attigo Academy Trust.

Purpose of the School Business Managers Forum

The Forum supports the SBMs. An SBM is usually a senior non-teaching member of staff who manages the day-to-day running of a school’s finances and operations.

SBMs play an important role by:

keeping the school running smoothly
allowing teachers to focus on teaching
managing finances, admin, HR, and facilities

Their main responsibilities include:

managing budgets
overseeing administration
supporting HR
managing buildings and facilities
helping with planning and strategy

How the SBM Forum supports School Business Managers

The SBM Forum provides:

weekly email updates
training and development opportunities
networking and partnership working

The Education Resources Team can also offer extra support through a School Resource Management Advisor. This can include:

a 6-month mentoring programme
a review of the school’s financial position