ICFP For SRMAs

ICFP is the cornerstone to all SRMA deployments. Learn more about how it is used within the SRMA programme and the key areas of focus.

 

Related Services: How to Apply | What is an SRMA?

 

Department for Education (DfE)


School Business Services was selected by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver and manage the 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.

 

What is ICFP?

What is ICFP?

Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP) is a strategic process that connects curriculum design with financial planning. It enables schools and trusts to provide the best possible education within their available resources by aligning staffing, timetabling, and budgets.

The ICFP process includes:

  • Assessing the current curriculum, staffing structures, and financial resources.
  • Utilising data to develop a 3–5-year plan.
  • Benchmarking key metrics to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
Why Use ICFP?

Why Use ICFP?

The Department for Education (DfE) promotes ICFP for several important reasons:

  • Supports financial sustainability while ensuring high-quality education.
  • Enables schools to create an affordable and well-balanced curriculum.
  • Offers transparency and accountability in resource management.
  • Assists governing boards in maintaining financial viability and prioritising educational goals.

 

What SRMAs Need to Know

As School Resource Management Advisers (SRMAs), a comprehensive understanding of ICFP is crucial to DfE SRMA deployments. 

This involves several key areas of focus:

  • Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR): Number of pupils per full-time equivalent (FTE) teacher.
  • Average Class Size: Average number of pupils in each class.
  • Teacher Contact Ratio (TCR): Percentage of a teacher’s contracted time spent teaching.
  • Average Teacher Cost: Total salary cost of teachers divided by the number of FTE teachers.
  • Staff Cost per Pupil: Total staffing cost divided by the number of pupils.
  • Curriculum Bonus/Deficit: Difference between required teaching hours and actual staffing capacity.
  • Leadership & Support Staff Ratios: Proportion of leadership and support staff compared to teaching staff.

What SRMAs Need to Know

 

How SBS' Accreditation Support Helps SRMAs

How SBS' Accreditation Support Helps SRMAs

School Business Services (SBS) provides:

  • Accreditation Support – Guidance through the official SRMA accreditation process.
  • Mentorship & Peer Support – Access to experienced SRMAs and collaborative forums.
  • Ongoing CPD – Monthly webinars on best practices, policy updates, and ICFP tools.
  • Quality Assurance – Review of reports to ensure accuracy and impact.
  • Networking Opportunities – Monthly meetings and annual conferences for sharing insights.

 

“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.”

Peter Tomkins, SRMA with SBS

 

Want to Make a Lasting Impact?

Join SBS’s SRMA accreditation programme and access tools, mentoring, and CPD to deliver exceptional value to schools and trusts.

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