Posted on 6th July 2026
Education Sector Change, Continuity and the Case for a More Joined-Up Approach
Recent updates across the sector, including changes to services delivered by ScoMIS, have prompted many schools and trusts to review how their ICT, MIS and finance support is structured ahead of the new academic year.
Posted on 29th June 2026
Academies BFR 2026: Key Changes, Deadline and Expert Advice for Finance Teams
The 2026 Academies BFR is now live. Discover key changes, common pitfalls, deadlines, and expert advice from SBS to help your finance team prepare and submit with confidence.
Posted on 27th May 2026
The End of the PE Premium: What CFOs and SBMs Need to Know About the New School Sport Funding Model
The Primary PE and Sport Premium is being scrapped from the end of the 2025/26 academic year. Here is the breakdown of how the funding will change and what it means for school budgets and reporting. We asked our Finance Consultant to provide practical advice for CFOs and SBMs on managing the transition.
Posted on 21st May 2026
Muscliff Primary: SBS Finance and Accountancy Case Study
Find out how SBS helped Muscliff Primary School improve financial reporting, strengthen audit compliance, and ease pressure on internal staff. Read the full case study to see how specialist support gave the school greater confidence in its financial management.
Posted on 11th May 2026
Reducing Pressure and Creating Capacity: A CFO’s Perspective on Virtual Finance Assistant
In our recent webinar, David Bond, Chief Financial and Risk Officer at Lion Academy Trust, shared how SBS’ Virtual Finance Assistant has helped create strategic capacity, reduce operational pressure, and strengthen financial resilience across the trust.
Posted on 7th May 2026
Funding updates: the checks that help schools stay in control
At SBS, we support schools and trusts to make confident decisions about where money goes next. We’ve set out the key checks that can help you stay in control as you plan ahead. None of these are silver bullets, but together, they create headroom and reduce surprises.
Posted on 30th March 2026
The Good, The Bad and The Deficit: What MATs Need to Know About Budget Setting
The Good, The Bad and The Deficit explores what effective budget setting looks like, the pitfalls trusts should avoid, and the sector‑wide trends shaping financial strategy for 2026/27 and beyond.
Posted on 30th March 2026
Raising the MAT Standard: Insight from the Sector and Shaw Education Trust
The session featured Michelle Williams, CFO at Shaw Education Trust, who shared her experience of leading finance across a 31-school trust in the West Midlands.
(1)(3).png)
Posted on 5th March 2026
Estates Risk in the Spotlight: Why This Should be on Every Trust’s Internal Audit Plan for 2026
Estates management is moving up academy trusts’ 2026 internal audit agendas amid rising costs, safety risks and stronger expectations from the Department for Education. Insights from Stephanie Steadman at School Business Services show how effective scrutiny strengthens governance, financial planning and long-term estate strategy.
Posted on 3rd March 2026
Getting to the Heart of SEND Pressures
Georgina de Costa reflects on this year’s MAT Leaders Webinar, where SEND pressures emerged as the defining challenge for trusts. This article highlights how trusts are responding through restructuring, smarter use of technology and collaboration while remaining driven by a strong moral purpose to maximise outcomes for pupils.
Posted on 11th February 2026
How Trusts are Responding to Financial Pressure in 2026
Drawing on insights from School Business Services’ fourth annual MAT Leaders Survey, this article explores how trust leaders are adapting their financial strategies, balancing short-term efficiencies with long-term sustainability, and using planning, centralisation and stronger oversight to navigate an increasingly complex landscape.
Posted on 21st January 2026
Fielding Primary School: SBS Financial Planner Case Study
Since implementing SBS Financial Planner, Fielding Primary School has benefited from more efficient budgeting, reliable forecasting, and highly responsive customer service.