Schools and trusts across England are operating in an increasingly complex financial landscape. Rising costs, workforce challenges, and growing expectations are placing sustained pressure on leadership teams, all while maintaining a relentless focus on delivering high-quality education.
In this environment, effective resource management is no longer just about financial control. It is about making strategic, evidence-informed decisions that ensure every resource is aligned to improving outcomes for pupils.
The Department for Education’s (DfE) School Resource Management Adviser (SRMA) programme plays a vital role in supporting this agenda. By connecting schools and trusts with experienced sector professionals, the programme provides independent, peer-to-peer expertise to strengthen financial planning, challenge assumptions, and identify opportunities for long-term sustainability.
School Business Services (SBS) is proud to be one of the organisations selected by the DfE to deliver the DfE's SRMA programme because of our deep expertise in education finance, proven track record supporting schools and trusts at scale, and our ability to combine operational delivery with strategic financial insight.
Delivering a High Quality, Consistent SRMA Experience
A key factor in the success of the SRMA programme lies not only in the expertise of the advisers themselves, but in the quality and consistency of its delivery.
As a delivery partner, SBS plays a central role in ensuring that SRMAs are well-prepared, well-supported, and able to operate effectively across a wide range of school and trust contexts. With extensive experience in education finance and operational services, SBS brings both the infrastructure and insight required to deliver the programme at scale.
This creates a professional, well-coordinated experience for SRMAs - enabling them to focus on delivering impact where it matters most.
As Sally Gill, SRMA with SBS, explains:
“Working as an experienced SRMA with SBS is a productive and highly professional partnership that enables SRMAs to operate smoothly, whether they are employed within a school, trust, wider educational organisation, or working as a self-employed consultant.”
This combination of professionalism, flexibility, and sector understanding ensures that SRMAs can adapt their expertise to each setting, while maintaining a consistent standard of delivery.
Supporting SRMAs to Deliver Meaningful Impact
While SRMAs bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, the support framework surrounding them is critical in enabling consistent, high-quality outcomes.
From the point of application through to deployment, SBS provides a structured and responsive approach that helps advisers feel confident, prepared, and supported at every stage.
This includes:
- Clear onboarding and guidance through the accreditation process
- Access to experienced coordinators and quality assurance support
- Ongoing communication and responsiveness to queries
- A framework that enables advisers to focus on analysis, engagement, and delivery
Val Powell, SRMA with SBS, reflects on this experience:
“I found the application and onboarding process very smooth and promptly responsive. My initial meeting with the SBS on-boarding coordinator was reassuring and encouraging and came with good advice. The support has continued with any queries I have raised.”
This level of support is not just about process - it underpins the confidence SRMAs bring into each deployment, ensuring they can engage effectively with school and trust leaders from the outset.
Enabling Strategic Decision-making Through ICFP
At the core of SRMA deployments is a focus on Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP) - a methodology that aligns educational priorities with financial realities.
Rather than viewing finance and curriculum in isolation, ICFP enables schools to take a holistic view of resource allocation, ensuring that staffing, curriculum design, and financial planning are working together to deliver the best outcomes.
Through detailed analysis, benchmarking, and collaboration with leadership teams, SRMAs help schools to:
- Identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement
- Align staffing structures with curriculum needs
- Strengthen financial forecasting and scenario planning
- Build a clearer understanding of cost drivers and resource deployment
As Peter Tomkins, SRMA with SBS, highlights:
“Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP) is the cornerstone of the SRMA process. ICFP allows the school to work with the SRMA to identify the key opportunities for ensuring they are fully efficient.”
This focus on strategic alignment ensures that recommendations are not only financially sound, but also educationally meaningful.
A Model That Strengthens the Wider System
One of the most valuable aspects of the SRMA programme is its ability to create impact beyond individual deployments.
By working across multiple schools and trusts, SRMAs gain exposure to a wide range of approaches, challenges, and examples of effective practice. This creates a natural flow of knowledge across the sector strengthening not just individual organisations, but the system as a whole.
Eddie Wortley-Shotton, SRMA with SBS, describes this as a key benefit of the role:
“Whilst working with schools and trusts on my deployments, I have seen so much great practice both within the classroom environment and across back-office functions. I have been fortunate to take back and share this with other schools and trusts I have worked with since becoming an SRMA.”
This exchange of insight and experience helps to embed stronger financial and operational practices across the sector over time.
A Shared Commitment to Improving Outcomes for Pupils
While the SRMA programme delivers clear financial and operational benefits, its ultimate purpose is much broader.
At its core, the programme is about ensuring that resources are used in a way that supports better outcomes for children and young people.
By strengthening financial leadership, improving planning processes, and supporting more informed decision-making, SRMAs help schools and trusts build a more sustainable foundation for the future.
As Sancha Maggs, SRMA with SBS, explains:
“It is a privilege to be part of SBS' SRMA Programme - having the opportunity to work with schools and trusts; and to see first-hand the incredible work that staff in our schools undertake to improve the life chances of our children.”
Become an SRMA with SBS
In a sector where every decision has long-term implications, the importance of strong, strategic resource management cannot be overstated.
The DfE’s SRMA programme provides schools and trusts with access to the expertise they need while delivery partners like SBS ensure that this support is structured, consistent, and impactful.
Together, this creates a programme that not only addresses immediate challenges but also helps build a more resilient and sustainable education system for the future.
If you’re an experienced school business professional interested in contributing to the DfE’s SRMA programme with SBS, you can find out more here.
Apply to Become an SRMA with SBS
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