Happy New Year from the SBS Finance & Business team!
Posted 4th January 2018
It was lovely to see that 130 people are on the Department of Education 2018 New Year Honours list.
Particularly rewarding to see many Governors and several School Business and Office staff being recognised for their contributions. Click here to see the New Year honours list 2018.In 2018 schools can look forward to some continuing and additional grant funding.
- The autumn budget promised financial incentives for mathematics and computing, including £600 for every A-level maths student
- The grant for universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) continues at a meal rate of £2.30 for the 2018 to 2019 academic year
- The year 7 catch-up premium continues in financial year 2018 to 2019
- Continued investment in physical education from the Sports Premium funding in academic year 2018 to 2019 at the current level. ESFA will continue to advise schools on sustainable and effective ways to use the premium.
- Pupil Premium Conditions of Grant for 18/19 has been published. LAC and Post LAC has increased by £400 per child
| Pupil Premium, per pupil rates (£) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Disadvantaged pupils | 2017/18 | 2018/19 |
| Pupils in year groups reception to year 6 as recorded as Ever 6 FSM | 1,320 | 1,320 |
| Pupils in years 7 to 11 recorded as Ever 6 FSM | 935 | 935 |
| Looked after children (LAC) defined in Children Act 1989 as one who is in the care of, or provided with accommodation by, an English Local Authority | 1,900 | 2,300 |
| Children who have ceased to be looked after by a local authority in England and Wales because of adoption, a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order or a residence order | 1,900 | 2,300 |
| Service Children | ||
| Pupils in year groups reception to year 11 recorded as Ever 6 service child or in receipt of child pension from the Ministry of Defence | 300 | 300 |
Support Staff Pay Increase Offer
Further additional budgetary pressures are forecast, including the likely support staff 2 year pay deal which will impact from April 2018. The final offer made on 5 December sat at approximately 2% in year one with a further increase in year 2. It is a complex offer and we recommend that detailed calculations are completed to analyse the impact to your school. For example, a primary school with 34 FTE support staff skewed towards the bottom end of the table, (as shown in the graph) will pay an additional £2,500 per month from April 2018.
That’s an annual increase in costs of £30,273, and closer to a 4% increase on 2017/18 costs.
To read the full details of the pay offer here click here.
With this in mind, the Spring term could be an ideal time to review your medium-long term workforce planning strategy.
The School Workforce
Have you considered:
- Do your pay policies support your recruitment and retention strategies?
- Does your training budget support your mix of skilled v unskilled/developing staff
- Have you fully investigated apprenticeships? What do your local colleges offer?
- Do you have an appropriate mix of employed staff, and more flexible external providers?
- Have you costed potential savings/benefits to be made from outsourcing opportunities v inhouse provision e.g. cleaning, accounts payable, counsellor, catering?
Did you know that School Business Services offer a remote finance service? A flexible contract framework provides proactive support and management of school and academy budgets and finance processes. To find out more click here or email info@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk
