CASE STUDY

FInance and HR working together

The school was aiming for a very significant deficit budget caused by declining pupil numbers.  The existing staffing structure was no longer sustainable and a fundamental review of all budget lines was required.  The School Business Manager was no longer in employment and no replacement had yet been sought. 

Support through the Finance and HR subscription services provided extensive on-site support for the Acting Headteacher and governing body.  The budget was reviewed in full and various new staffing structure options were costed and considered alongside other identified cost reductions.  The most appropriate and affordable staffing structure was identified and the adjusted budget set.  A full staffing adjustment process was followed to bring about the identified changes to leadership, teaching and support staff.  Voluntary redundancy options were managed for the school and any remaining compulsory redundancy process were supported by the school’s linked HR Consultant.  Letters were drafted for those staff whose contracts were impacted by the change.  Alongside this, the absence of an experienced School Business Manager was covered through the Direct Finance Support package.  A qualified School Business Manager from the Schools Finance team was allocated to work at the school to ensure all day to day financial matters were handled, including an audit of the school’s financial procedures and practices.

A manageable forecast budget, an appropriate, sustainable staffing structure and sound financial practices were all achieved.