School finance – has your MAT considered GAG pooling?
Mat Smith, chartered certified accountant and solutions architect at PS Financials, part of the IRIS Software Group, puts a spotlight on improving school finance through General Annual Grant (GAG) pooling. Lord Agnew, the under-secretary of state for the school system, suggested that GAG pooling – where a multi-academy trust (MAT) collects general annual grant funding […]
Building strong relationships within a multi-academy trust
How can a multi-academy trust (MAT) engage its schools during times of change? Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts, shares some top tips from trust leaders… Working together in a trust provides schools with the benefits of mutual support and collaboration – but it can also mean changes in a school’s way […]
Financial literacy learning is as important as maths, English and science
Julian Wright, Head of Education Expansion at RedSTART, writes about the need for financial literacy teaching if we are to become a money-savvy society… Rarely a week goes by when a story appears in the news detailing one of the many ways we as a nation are in some way personally in debt. Whether this is […]
The role of building consultancy in securing Condition Improvement Funding
Allan Hunt is director of education at AHR Building Consultancy, and an expert on the Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) bidding process. Here, he advises on making a successful bid… MATs, both large and small, are acutely aware of the pressing issue of school condition and the shortage of funds to deal with this. For lone […]
LED lighting for schools – a bursar’s guide
According to the Carbon Trust, getting lighting right is essential for both energy efficiency and the bank balance of a school, and as importantly for the wellbeing of its occupants. In the third of this special series of lighting in education guides, Energys will explore how LED upgrades can create multiple financial opportunities. It can also improve site health […]