Professional Services Digital Brochure

Helping you remain compliant, efficient and financially secure!

Professional services tailored for education

Proudly part of

Contents A message from our Managing Director............... 3 About Professional Services provision................. 4 Challenges & Support........................................................ 5

People & Payroll

Compliance

Business & Finance

Employment Law & HR...................................................... 6

Governance & Clerking..................................................... 10

Internal Scrutiny..................................................................... 18

HR Adhoc Services............................................................... 7

Trustee & Governor Training Programme............. 11

Finance & Accounting........................................................ 19

Payroll............................................................................................ 8

Health & Safety....................................................................... 12

SBS Financial Planner......................................................... 20

Why choose NeoPeople?................................................ 9

Fire Safety................................................................................... 13

ICFP.................................................................................................. 21

Facilities Management ..................................................... 14

MIS Support............................................................................... 22

Data Protection....................................................................... 15

ICT Support................................................................................ 23

Safeguarding............................................................................. 16 SEND............................................................................................... 17

Delivered by:

www.supportingeducation.com

2

A message from our Managing Director At Supporting Education Group, our mission is simple: to help schools and trusts focus on what matters most — delivering excellent outcomes for children and young people. We bring together 14 specialist companies, each dedicated to easing the pressures schools face and providing the expertise needed to thrive.

In this brochure, I’m delighted to introduce our Professional Services portfolio: Judicium Education, School Business Services, and Neo People Management. Collectively, these trusted brands support more than 3,500 schools and trusts across the country, delivering expert legal, compliance, finance, HR and payroll services.

By partnering with us, you’ll gain more than a service provider. You’ll gain a long-term partner who understands the unique challenges in education. Our teams help reduce workload, improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and give leaders the confidence to focus on strategy and growth, knowing that day-to-day operational demands are in safe hands.

Richard Smith Managing Director Professional Services Supporting Education Group www.supportingeducation.com

3

About

Professional Ser vices When a school runs smoothly behind the scenes, it creates the conditions for pupils to thrive. That’s where our professional services companies come in. Specialists in the education sector,

they offer a wide range of services to support operational efficiency, from HR and payroll to compliance and business finance. Discover how our expertise can make a real difference to your trust.

Expert compliance support, total peace of mind

Finance that builds futures

Payroll you can trust

Providing expert legal and compliance support tailored for schools and trusts — helping you stay compliant, reduce risk, and gain total peace of mind.

Delivering education services and tools that help schools and trusts achieve sustainable, future-ready outcomes.

Reliable stress-free payroll for your trust, delivered by experts in education who are passionate about people.

Trusted by the education sector, 4 out of 5 clients rate their experience with us as excellent.

95% improvement to budgetary position for long-standing finance customers.

Tel. 0345 548 7000

Tel. 0345 222 1551 hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

enquiries@judicium.com

3,500

schools using our HR, compliance and finance services tools

95%

improvement to budgetary position for long-standing finance customers

Tel. 0161 470 0921 enquiries@neopeople.net

99.94%

accuracy with Neo People Management payroll

www.supportingeducation.com supportingeducation.com 4

Challenges & Support The education sector is facing a complex set of pressures, and our Professional Services offerings are designed to respond directly to them. We have identified six key challenges that schools and trusts tell us they are tackling: Budget Pressures & Financial Stability, Recruitment & Retention, Statutory Compliance & Managing Risk Effectively, Sustainable MAT

Budget pressures & financial stability

Recruitment & Retention

Statutory Compliance & Managing Risk Effectively

Growth, Rising Pupil Needs in the Classroom, and Ofsted Challenge & Preparedness. To make it clear how our services provide practical support, each service in this brochure is tagged against the challenges it addresses. This way, you can quickly see which solutions align with the issues that matter most to your school or trust.

Sustainable MAT Growth

Ofsted Challenge & Preparedness

Rising Pupil Needs in the Classroom

Delivered by:

www.supportingeducation.com supportingeducation.com 5

People & Payroll

Employment Law & HR People, policy and protection in the workplace.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Sustainable MAT growth Budget pressures & financial stability

Summary: With solution-driven HR support, you can ensure you get the best out of your people while staying fully compliant.

Working in partnership, our education HR & Employment Law specialists, take the pressure off by providing strategic HR leadership, expert guidance, and operational support tailored to schools and trusts.

Benefits/ key features: Make HR decisions with confidence – From

disciplinary and grievance procedures to contracts and restructures, we support you through even the most challenging HR issues.

Stay legally compliant and reduce cost – Schools and MATs benefit from informed legal updates, so you stay ahead of policy changes and avoid mistakes.

Save time and focus on education – With ready to-use HR templates, policies, and documentation support, we help streamline processes, reduce admin workload, and focus on delivering education.

I mproved retention – Using our proactive approach helps schools create a fair and well managed workplace that attracts and retains top talent. ailored HR support for schools and trusts – Your T school or MAT would gain specific education expertise and advice that is practical, relevant, and aligned with the challenges faced in the education sector.

Our HR Advisory Service gives headteachers, HR directors, business managers, and CEOs guidance and tools to manage staff effectively, avoid legal pitfalls, and create a positive working environment, without the administrative burden.

Unlimited advice - perfect for MATs or schools wanting a more tailored and embedded service.

Retainer - ideal for those who want full flexibility in how and when support is used.

We offer packages to fit a range of budgets.

Also available is our HR Administration service that relieves school leaders of day-to-day HR admin, ensuring records are accurate, compliant, and expertly managed. Key features include drafting offer letters, contracts, and variations; issuing Teachers’ Annual Statements of Earnings; calculating term-time salaries; providing personnel reports; and preparing employee life-cycle letters for contracts, family leave, and terminations.

Resource:

40

%

of schools and trusts did not have a people strategy or written people plan in place, increasing to 49% of all MATs and SATs.

How to embed your people strategy

Find out more today

2025 Edition

Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com Download our People Strategy eBook.

(Source: MAT Leaders Survey, 2023)

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

6

People & Payroll

Employment Law & HR Adhoc Services Compliance & risk management Ensuring legal and statutory obligations are fully met.

Services: Services Policy and contract reviews Independent investigations Attendance at HR hearings and meetings Employment tribunal representation and litigation

support

Safeguarding safer recruitment & record keeping Services: Services

Reward & pay management

Services

Enhanced DBS and S128 checks

nnual pay statements for teachers and/or A support staff

Online checks (KCSIE compliant digital screening)

Back pay calculations

Single central record reviews

Benchmarking

Personnel file reviews

Neo people HR advice

Drafting non-HR documents

Employee relations & dispute resolution

Workforce planning & organisational development

Resolving issues, managing conflict, and supporting formal processes.

Services: Services

Services Services: Labour relations advice and dispute resolution Note taking at HR hearings

Mediation Employment tribunal support

Leadership recruitment and selection support UK work permits (immigration and sponsorship

support)

Organisational reviews of office, admin and/ or HR teams

Training & capacity building Developing skills, knowledge, and confidence in school leaders and HR staff.

Services Services: Breakfast Briefings (bite-size training) CPD Accredited Training (half-day sessions)

Bespoke Training (custom programmes)

Strategic support Occupational health, EAP and wellbeing surveys

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

7

People & Payroll

Payroll Reliable, stress-free payroll for your trust, delivered by education experts dedicated to supporting your people.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Budget pressures & financial stability Recruitment & retention

Payroll you can trust

99.94% accuracy

Sustainable MAT growth

Ross Dickerson, Head of HR at Greenshaw Learning Trust

Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively

Summary: Processing education-specific payroll for over 60,000 employees every month, the Neo People system and service combines expert technology with tailored support for your trust. You don’t just get payroll software, you get a dedicated team that truly understands education payroll and pensions, ready to guide you every step of the way. From setup to day-to-day use, we’re here to make things simple, clear, and stress-free so you always feel supported, not left alone with a user guide.

49

%

of employees look to find a new job after 2 payroll mistakes.

”Having experienced other providers in different trusts, there is a significant variance. Neo People have a solid understanding of the education sector, and they have established a reputation with the MAT community as a highly efficient provider.”

Benefits/ key features: Accurate, reliable payroll – Education payroll and

pension experts that deliver an unrivalled 99.94% accuracy record for your trust. dedicated team on hand – Helps drive operational A excellence with proven impact.

Clarity and confidence – We put people at the

forefront with insights when you need them. With an employee self-service portal and access to automated reports and MAT wide dashboards, we make it easy to access the people data you need to make informed decisions. educed admin burden - Integration with trusted R platforms including Arbor Bromcom, so there’s no disruption or duplication, just greater efficiency through a single employee record.

HR support delivered by Judicium Education.

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@neopeople.net

(The Workforce Institute).

Delivered by:

www.neopeople.net

8

People & Payroll

Why choose Neo People?

Expert education and payroll support Trusted by over 60,000 employees

Real-time dashboards for leaders Real-time workforce and payroll insights

Expert pensions support

Employee and absence trends

Same time with automated MAT-wide reports

Compliance – ready outputs

Employee self-service portal

Recruitment pipeline tracking Export to excel/CSV files Integrate with finance systems

Our Neo people system will give you access to these features…

Employee self service

Payroll reporting Payroll summaries and costing

Employment and pay information

Variance and exception reports

Update personal details

NI, Pensions and Tax reporting

Payslips, P60, historical payment records

Statutory payment schedules

Pre-employment checks

Pre-formatted pension reports

Annual leave procedures

Audit trails for payroll changes

Performance objectives and training

Ledger journal reports for finance

50

%

of businesses do not receive additional support such as telephone queries and client support in payroll packages.

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@neopeople.net

(CIPP payroll insights report 2025). Supporting Education Group, Impact Survey 2025.

Delivered by:

www.neopeople.net

9

Compliance

Governance & Clerking Stronger governance, driving school improvement.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Ofsted Challenges & preparedness Sustainable MAT growth Budget pressures & financial stability

Summary: Navigating the growing pressures of budgets, DfE compliance and looming Ofsted visits can stretch governance to breaking point. MATs and schools can benefit from our expert governance support that reduces admin burden, strengthens accountability, and ensures confident, compliant leadership. By investing in robust governance now, schools and trusts build long-term sustainability, reduce costly compliance risks, and avoid future financial inefficiencies.

70

%

of governing boards say balancing the budget is their number one challenge, while only 16% consider themselves financially sustainable in the medium to long term under current funding levels.

(NGA Annual School and Trust Governance Survey 2025)

Benefits/ key features: Advisory support for Ofsted and regulatory readiness

- On-demand expertise to navigate Ofsted inspections effectively and stay compliant with evolving regulations.

Efficient, outcome-focused governance meetings

– Governance professionals deliver structured agendas and precise minutes that cut admin time and drive clear, actionable decisions.

Board development for growth and compliance

CPD-accredited training that equips governors and trustees to lead effectively through MAT growth and compliance demands.

“Our Judicium [governance professional] is always professional and hugely supportive during our meetings.

However, her service goes beyond this: she has used her experience and knowledge to provide additional information to support our governors’ understanding.”

Head Teacher Raysfield Primary School

Streamlined document and policy management Reduce risk and admin pressure with a secure, organised system for governance records and policies.

Additional support services include: - Suspension and exclusion panel support - MAT Due diligence - External review of governance - Independent review panel support

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

Download our free guide to effective inclusion in schools.

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

10

Compliance

Trustee & Governor Training Programme Confident governance in challenging times.

Our rolling annual programmes

Summary: Schools and MATs face unprecedented pressures.

Compliance and risk management demand constant attention, while Ofsted expectations continue to rise. At the same time, leaders must plan for sustainable growth and manage financial pressures with resilience. In this environment, effective governance is not just a formality, it is essential to safeguarding the success and stability of every school.

Judicium’s Trustee & Governor Training provides boards with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to meet these challenges. Well-prepared and well-trained boards are more likely to remain engaged and committed, helping schools and trusts retain the expertise and continuity they need.

Delivered flexibly through eLearning, webinars, and expert guidance, it enables trustees and governors to provide robust challenge, support leadership effectively, and steer schools and MATs with clarity - whatever pressures they face.

77

%

of governors and trustees state that recruiting and retaining governing body roles is a key challenge for the board (NGA Annual School and Trust Governance Survey 2025).

New to Governance

New to the role of the chair

Introduction to safeguarding

Hot topics

The role of a local governor in a MAT

Chairs forum

Introduction to school finance

Headteacher approval

The role of governance in a pay committee

Pupil performance data in primary schools

Pupil performance data in secondary schools

Pupil premium

The governor role in panel hearings (not PEX)

The role of a Trustee in a trust/MAT

What is internal scrutiny

Holding the SLT to account

For full list of courses and to learn more visit: Trustee and Governor Training Programme

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

11

Compliance

Health & Safety When safety matters, experience counts.

Designed to meet the following challenge: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively

Summary: From changing DfE rules to complex site hazards, schools and MATs face daily pressures to protect people, stay compliant, and maintain trust. Your school or MAT will gain peace of mind from our expert-led, education specific health & safety services. Tailored to maintain safe, compliant environments aligned with legal requirements and best practices.

60

%

of school leaders say they feel ‘overwhelmed’ by the complexity of health and safety compliance requirements.

Benefits/ key features: Competent in compliance and risk reduction - Our

health & safety audits and MAT-wide due diligence, give schools and MATs a clear, consistent approach to health and safety and fire. Help protect your staff with HSE, DfE and fire safety regulations whilst reducing risks across all sites.

Proactive risk management - We conduct tailored,

DfE compliant risk assessments in schools, covering premises safety, COSHH, and first aid policy compliance with clear action plans to reduce risks and improve safety.

“Judicium’s Health & Safety service has delivered significant value for money by increasing efficiency, mitigating risks and providing expert guidance.”

Richard Warnham, Chief Finance and Operations Officer, The Westbrook Trust

Rapid response to regulatory change - A dedicated IOSH-certified adviser provides unlimited support, compliant policies and timely updates on legislation, keeping your school or trust inspection-ready.

Staff development and confidence - Gain unlimited

access to CPD-accredited eLearning courses, sample risk assessments, and compliance checklists to boost staff knowledge and confidence.

Consistent standards across all sites - The JEDU Online Compliance Dashboard reduces your administration workload, giving school leaders real-time oversight of compliance, policy updates, and risk assessments ensuring consistency and control across all sites.

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

(Source: EdExec, 2021)

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

12

Compliance

Fire Safety

When safety matters, experience counts Designed to meet the following challenge: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively

Summary: Our BAFE-certified fire risk assessments (FRAs) give schools and MATs a clear, consistent approach to fire safety - checking hazards, evacuation routes, and essential safety equipment. Combined with health & safety audits and MAT-wide due diligence, we ensure compliance with HSE, DfE, and fire safety regulations while reducing risks across all sites.

Benefits/ key features: Competent in compliance & risk reduction - Our

certified BAFE SP205 fire risk assessments provide schools and MATs with expert, accredited assurance.

We identify hazards, check evacuation routes, review assembly points, and ensure equipment and compartmentation meet UK fire safety standards— reducing risks and guaranteeing compliance.

“Judicium makes my job much easier.

They save time, save money and provide absolute peace of mind.”

Saima Nisco, Head of Operations at Landon School Harmondsworth

Time saved with clear documentation - Our reports

deliver a straightforward roadmap of priorities, giving leaders clarity without the burden of interpreting unclear messaging, complex legislation or drafting extensive paperwork.

Education-focused expertise – As a BAFE-certified provider with deep education knowledge, we understand how changing school sites, practical departments (science, PE, D&T, kitchens), and SEND requirements impact fire safety. Our sector-specific insight ensures strategies fit real school environments.

“UK schools experience between 1,400 and 1,800 fires each year.”

(Source: 2020 Fire Protection Association and Zurich UK study)

Empowering staff readiness - Through fire safety

training, CPD courses, and compliance resources, we give staff the knowledge to prevent, manage, and respond effectively to risks, building confidence and strengthening duty of care.

Smarter oversight for school and mat leaders - gives

leaders real-time visibility of FRAs, policy updates, and site compliance, enabling cost-effective oversight and consistent standards across single or multiple school sites. ensuring consistency and control across all sites.

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

13

Compliance

Facilities Management Where safety, compliance, and efficiency meet.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Budget pressures and financial stability

Summary:

Benefits/ key features:

Facilities management in schools and MATs isn’t just about keeping buildings running, it’s about meeting DfE and HSE standards, ensuring safety, and supporting pupil wellbeing - all while managing budgets, staffing gaps, and multiple sites. Our service offers a cost-efficient way to stay on top of premises compliance, with a clear report delivered in days, giving you a snapshot of your status and a roadmap with prioritised action plan for your school or MAT.

Reliable role cover – Short- or long-term cover for site

assistants and managers to keep operations running smoothly.

“We are very pleased with the transformation in service delivery in all of our schools. We are excited about the continuous improvement that we are all committed to and will see over the coming months and years.”

Chief Operating Officer, The Bridge Academy Trust

Compliance made simple – Ensuring your policies and procedures are robust, up to date and meet all requirements. Tailored premises services to ensure MAT wide standards are met.

Healthier learning environments – Specialist cleaning

advice to ensure clean and hygienic school premises that contribute positively to pupil and staff wellbeing.

40

%

of reported accidents in schools relate to slips, trips, and falls, often linked to poor housekeeping or maintenance.

Deliver safe, high-quality catering – Save time and resources with managed catering contracts and expert food guidance that ensure compliance and quality.

Safe, cost-effective grounds – Tree maintenance

solutions that protect people and budgets updates, and risk assessments, ensuring consistency and control across all sites.

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

(Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 2021)

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

14

Compliance

Data Protection Peace of mind for schools – Expert DPO service that delivers.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Budget Pressures & financial stability

Summary: Ensure your school or academy trust meets UK Data Protection laws, including UK GDPR, with expert advisory support. Our comprehensive Data Protection service helps you build a resilient strategy that aligns with legal requirements, strengthens your approach to handling personal data, and safeguards pupils and staff alike.

71

%

of secondary schools and over half of primary schools reported a data breach in the past year.

Benefits/ key features: Expert-led advisory support – Benefit from specialist

guidance from a team of data protection and education experts. We can support on a wide variety of topics including data requests, breaches, impact assessments, security and data sharing.

Efficient compliance management – Streamline your

processes with ready-to-use policy documents, training materials, and tailored audits. Your advisor provides clear, actionable recommendations to help you maintain compliance with ease.

“Judicium’s advice is robust, unequivocal and swift… and always direct their approaches to the outcome you desire. This is in total contrast to the advice that we previously received.”

Alan Chappell – School Business Director, Blue Coat CofE School

Empowered staff and leadership – Keep your team

confident and capable with regular training, bestpractice updates, and 24/7 access to our resource hub.

Complete compliance framework & portal – Access

your school’s dedicated compliance portal, housing all your essential policies, privacy notices, logs, and records in one secure place.

Resource:

Data Protection in UK Schools: A Practical Guide for Compliance and Risk Management 2025 Edition

Find out more today Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

Download our Data Protection eBook.

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

15

Compliance

Safeguarding

Helping you grow a safeguarding culture that is vigilant and resilient.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Statutory compliance and managing risk effectively Ofsted Challenge & Preparedness Recruitment & Retention

Summary: Designed with schools and MATs in mind, our comprehensive service helps strengthen your wholeschool or MAT safeguarding strategy. It ensures compliance with Ofsted and ISI standards while creating a safe and supportive environment for pupils and staff alike.

Benefits/ key features: A safer, whole school approach – From recordkeeping, safer recruitment, the SCR, governance, safeguarding curriculum and staff training, our expert guidance empowers staff, protects pupils, and supports your school to be safe, compliant, and thriving.

Compliance covered – Be prepared with professional planning to help you meet Ofsted/ ISI and statutory requirements.

Minimise risk and maximise time – Identify and

address safeguarding gaps with comprehensive audits and reviews, reducing risks and streamlining your workload.

“Our consultant was approachable and placed us at ease from the start.

I felt the process was thorough and now feel more confident that when the recommendations are actioned, we will be fully compliant in our duty of care to our students.”

Corley Academy

Capability with certainty – Feel at ease that your staff are up to date on policies and regulations with regular training and supervision for DSLs to avoid staff burnout and receive better outcomes for students.

We also provide support for: Safeguarding supervision

52

%

of respondents reported an increase in safeguarding concerns compared to the previous year.

We provide essential reflective practice sessions to help your safeguarding team manage their workload effectively, meet statutory requirements, and address the emotional challenges of safeguarding children.

Find out more today

Resource:

Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

(Judicium’s National Safeguarding Insights Survey, 2025).

Safeguarding Supervision: A safe space for those on the frontline of supporting children An introduction for School Leaders and Designated Safeguarding Leads

Find out more.

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

16

Compliance

SEND

Inclusive provision that improves outcomes for all.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Rising pupil needs in the classroom Budget pressures & financial stability Ofsted challenges & preparedness

Summary: It’s challenging for leaders to meet the demands of planning and reviewing provision, lengthy EHCP processes, applying for funding, and keeping staff training up to date. Simplify your processes, and give your staff the guidance, tools and confidence to support pupils with SEND effectively.

62.4

%

of respondents are seeing an increase in safeguarding concerns involving pupils with SEND linked to unmet needs, EHCP delays and limited staff confidence in supporting neurodiverse and pre-verbal students.

(Source: Judicium National Safeguarding insights survey, 2025).

Benefits/ key features: Better pupil outcomes and positive reputation – Benefit from expert support, provided by knowledgeable ex-SENDCOs who focus on improving the quality of provision, and deliver better outcomes for pupils with SEND.

“One of the best training and discussions around SEND I have experienced. It was exactly what I was hoping for”

Catherine Harding, SENDco – Sycamore Short Stay School

Reduced pressure on staff – Whether you’re refining

strategies, closing the achievement gap for pupils with SEND, or embedding SEND as a whole-school priority, our experts provide actionable guidance and training tailored to your needs.

Continuous improvement for your SEND provision – Ensure your school’s SEND provision is effective with an in-depth, on-site review led by an expert SEND consultant.

Confident and compliant – Helping you ensure your

school’s policies are current and fit for purpose.

Where necessary, we draft or update policies to keep you aligned with the latest requirements, helping to reduce risk and improve SEND provision.

Resource:

Find out more today Download our whitepaper to discover how staff restructures are affecting SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision in schools.

Enquire at: enquiries@judicium.com

Delivered by:

www.judiciumeducation.co.uk

17

Business & Finance

Internal Scrutiny Helping your trust identify, mitigate and manage risk effectively.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Sustainable MAT growth

Summary: Benefit from qualified scrutineers with deep educationsector expertise across all areas of school and trust operations. As part of Supporting Education Group, our Scrutineers have direct access to a wide network of sector specialists — including financial management, governance, risk management, HR and payroll, estates, safeguarding, SEND, pupil attendance, data, technology, IT and cyber security. This helps ensure that our team are fully up to date with technical changes, sector best practice, and emerging risks from across the education landscape.

26

%

of Trusts surveyed said their biggest challenge was finding an Internal Scrutiny provider with the expertise to cover the breadth and complexity of areas within a MAT.

(Source: Internal Scrutiny Benchmark & Insights Survey 2025)

Benefits/ key features: In-depth education experience – Build a strong

culture of risk management that helps to streamline systems, save time and money, and keep the focus on improving outcomes.

Collaborative working – We work with your team to

“SBS collaborated with our Trust Board to ensure that the Internal Scrutiny work completely aligns with our strategic priorities.”

Wickersley Partnership Trust

identify your strategic objectives and identify the risks that matter most.

Strategic-led assurance – Our expert Scrutineers act

as a critical friend. We’ll work alongside your trust to embed better practices and provide insight with measurable impact.

Confidently meet new DfE requirements – Our

professionally qualified scrutineers are members of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Resource:

A Guide to Internal Scrutiny Providing added value and reassurance to your Academy Trust

Find out more today Enquire at: hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

Download our FREE guide to Internal Scrutiny. Find out who can undertake the review, what is covered and new 2025/26 requirements.

Delivered by:

www.schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

18

Business & Finance

Finance & Accounting Providing support, assurance and strategic guidance to enhance your school or MAT finance operations.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Budget Pressures, DfE and compliance Ofsted Challenge & Preparedness Recruitment and Retention Sustainable MAT growth

Benefits/ key features: Cost savings and budget efficiency – Hiring, training,

and retaining in-house finance staff comes with high salary costs, pension contributions, and other overhead expenses. By outsourcing, schools and MATs only pay for the services they need.

Access to expertise and best practices – Our

outsourced finance team consists of specialists with experience in school and MAT finance, ensuring compliance with the latest regulations and funding policies.

Summary:

Improved compliance and risk management –

Our expert financial service is tailored to the unique demands of the education sector. Whether you need strategic consultancy, interim cover, mentoring, due diligence, or support via our service desk or virtual finance assistant, we deliver the insight and support to strengthen financial resilience. We help you stay compliant, in control, and focused on delivering the best outcomes for your pupils.

Focus on core educational priorities – Shift the

95

%

“SBS’ extensive education sector experience and operations capability has made them a dependable partner as we support teaching, learning and critical operations across all our schools and settings.”

Lion Academy Trust

Our finance consultants ensure accurate reporting, timely submissions, and adherence to regulatory changes, reducing the risk of financial mismanagement or audit failures. responsibility to experienced finance professionals, allowing school leaders to focus on educational outcomes and strategic planning rather than operational finance tasks.

Talk to an expert

Find out more today

improvement in average in-year balance for long-standing finance customers.

Enquire at: hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

(Source: SEG Impact Report 2024)

View our Finance and Accounting services and talk to an expert.

Delivered by:

www.schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

19

Business & Finance

SBS Financial Planner Helping trusts move from firefighting to future-focused leadership.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Budget pressures & financial stability Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Sustainable MAT growth

Summary:

Benefits/ key features: Built by MATs for MATs – Developed alongside MAT

CFOs, SBS Financial Planner offers school budgeting software that understands the unique complexities of schools and Multi-Academy Trusts.

Smarter financial decisions – With real-time

insights and forecasting, MAT leaders can plan with confidence, identify potential efficiencies, and ensure financial sustainability.

“SBS Financial Planner’s accuracy and automation give us the confidence we need to make financial decisions.”

Phil Norman, Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust.

Comprehensive support & fully managed onboarding

SBS Financial Planner is a fully centralised, intuitive approach to financial planning. Rebuilt with clarity, collaboration, and control at its heart, this powerful MAT budgeting tool streamlines your trust’s day-to-day financial operations. It gives you complete oversight and control, enabling accurate forecasting and confident decision-making around your future needs.

– SBS Financial Planner includes fully managed onboarding, unlimited training, and dedicated support via live chat, helpdesk, and step-by-step video guides.

Ensured compliance – SBS Financial Planner keeps

MATs and schools fully compliant with DfE and statutory reporting requirements.

Book a demo

30

%

of schools and Trusts polled are not expecting to have a balanced budget for 2025/26.

(Source: Spending Review Poll 2025)

Find out more today Enquire at: hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk Book a FREE demo of SBS Financial Planner today.

Delivered by:

www.schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

20

Business & Finance

SBS Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning Empowering trusts to make the right decisions.

Designed to help meet the following challenge: Budget pressures & financial stability

Summary: Bring all your key data into one real-time dashboard to make smarter, faster decisions. Analyse staff costs, pupil-teacher ratios, and budget efficiency with powerful benchmarking, multi-year modelling, and prioritised savings suggestions.

“Embedding ICFP into your strategic financial planning ensures you bring in input from colleagues across the school team, preventing budget decisions from being made in isolation.”

Julia Harnden, Funding Specialist ASCL

Become a School Resource Management Adviser with SBS

Benefits/ key features: Clear oversight – Real-time MAT dashboard and

easy-to-share reports for Trustees.

Benchmark with confidence – Compare your trust

against data from 20,000+ schools. Filter by Local Authority, phase, pupil numbers, or SEN % to uncover tailored insights.

Future-ready planning – Model scenarios and track

trends across multiple years.

As a DfE-approved SRMA supplier, we help schools and trusts boost efficiency and maximise pupil outcomes.

Get expert support through: EPI accreditation One-to-one mentoring

Find out more today Enquire at: hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

Delivered by:

Vibrant peer networks With deployment opportunities tailored to your skills and availability.

Enquire at hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk www.schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

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Business & Finance

MIS Support

Responsive, experienced experts supporting schools in the day-to-day use of the MIS. Designed to meet the following challenges: Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Ofsted Challenge & Preparedness

Benefits/ key features: Expert, education-focused support – Our MIS team consists of former Data Managers, School Business Managers, and LA specialists.

Unlimited helpdesk access – We deliver fast and

reliable resolution of day-to-day MIS queries.

Rising pupil needs in the classroom

A wide range of MIS training courses – All year-round training courses, briefings and user groups.

Budget pressures & financial stability

Actionable data insights – Access insights through

tailored analysis packages for attendance, behaviour, achievement, and staff absence.

Summary: With decades of experience, our team offers comprehensive support tailored to the unique needs of schools and educational leaders. We provide hands on, real-time assistance, in-person training, and expert consultancy to empower your staff. Whether you’re looking to get more out of your current MIS or transitioning to a new system, we are committed to ensuring a smooth, efficient, and disruption-free management experience.

“The experience we have had with SBS, and the positive working relationships that we have developed, have left us feeling very optimistic about the decision to switch!”

Swiss Cottage School

Resource: Make sure your MIS is the best fit.

MIS Reviews for Schools & Trusts – what you need to consider

123

courses delivered with 840 delegates in attendance over the 2024-25 academic year.

2025 Edition schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

Find out more today Enquire at: hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

Download our FREE MIS eBook.

Delivered by:

www.schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

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Business & Finance

ICT support

Helping schools and trusts plan, implement, and maintain the right technology to support teaching, learning, and operations.

Designed to meet the following challenges: Budget pressures Statutory compliance & managing risk effectively Rising pupil needs in the classroom

Summary: By providing strategic, secure, and cost-effective ICT support for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts, we align technology with your long-term goals. Benefit from reliable day-to-day support, pre-term system checks, and expert project delivery. Our robust security audits and compliance ensures peace of mind—so you can focus on education, not IT.

Benefits/ key features: Confidence in compliance & security – Robust data

protection and advanced cybersecurity measures, fully aligned with DfE standards, to safeguard information and ensure full regulatory compliance.

Reliable & proactive support – 96% positive ratings

from post-ticket surveys.

Cost-effective solutions – Tailored procurement

services that maximise value for money and support effective budget planning.

“The service we benefit from is technically highly skilled, thorough, efficient and reliable. SBS shares and helps to shape our vision for how ICT can impact positively upon the education, lives and life chances of young people.”

Christ Church Primary School

Expert project & consultancy services – From

cloud migration to system upgrades, SBS delivers seamless ICT projects alongside strategic advice on infrastructure, compliance, and continuity.

Resource:

96

%

customer retention, schools choose to stay with our ICT service year after year.

Find out more today Download our FREE ICT Support Service Brochure.

Enquire at: hello@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

Delivered by:

www.schoolbusinessservices.co.uk

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