Information on SRMA Deployments
Find out more about what areas SRMA deployments focus on and the types of support you might provide.
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 SRMA Deployments Involve
Each deployment is customised to meet the specific requirements of the school or trust. Your responsibility is to deliver independent and unbiased advice on optimising resources through Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP), with a primary focus on enhancing outcomes for all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Our deployment process is designed to work seamlessly alongside the wider DfE SRMA Programme delivery. We manage deployments through a streamlined, technology-enabled workflow, using tools such as Monday.com to support clarity, transparency and efficiency from the moment a commission is received. This approach helps ensure SRMAs experience an organised, modern process that reduces unnecessary friction and supports timely, well-coordinated delivery across the programme.While we don’t share every step of our internal workflow publicly, our approach is intentionally automated and consistent — giving SRMAs and schools a smoother, more responsive experience. This structured yet flexible process enables us to maintain high standards, reduce administrative friction, and deliver timely, high-quality support.
Key Areas of Deployment Focus:
- Financial Sustainability
- ICFP and Key Metrics
- Human Resources: Strategic workforce planning, curriculum implementation, and effective leadership allocation.
- Governance: Scrutiny of financial management and oversight by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the board of governors.
- Resources: Strategic procurement practices, ensuring value for money, capital finance considerations, and comprehensive estate management.
- Asset Management: Development of a long-term vision for a sustainable estate and maximising the effective use of physical resources.
Types of Support You Might Provide:
- Financially Stable Schools: Advise on initiatives to enhance financial management practices.
- Schools Experiencing Financial Challenges: Assist leadership teams in formulating a sustainable budget strategy.
- Implementation of Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP): Initiate or optimise ICFP methodologies and resources.
- Leadership Development for CFOs: Provide mentorship for new Chief Financial Officers to facilitate their professional growth within the role.
- Post-Implementation Review: Conduct follow-up assessments after six months to evaluate the progress of the implemented recommendations.
What SBP Mentoring Deployments Involve
SBP Mentoring enhances the competencies and self-assurance of professionals in school business management. Upon completion of the mentoring process, mentees should be equipped to:
- Execute comprehensive budget planning, monitoring, and reporting with precision
- Spearhead operational and financial strategies aligned with institutional goals
- Optimise expenditures to ensure maximum value across all fiscal activities
How Mentoring Works
- Collaborative Objectives: Mentors and mentees jointly establish their goals at the outset of the mentoring relationship.
- Flexible Session Formats: 12 one-hour sessions over a six-month period.
- Evaluation Metrics: Impact is assessed through a combination of self-assessment conducted pre-engagement, a comprehensive evaluation survey post-engagement, and feedback gathered from both participants to ensure a thorough understanding of progress and effectiveness.
Please note that to maintain accreditation, all SRMAs and SBP Mentors are required to fulfil a minimum of one deployment annually.
SRMA Deployment Process
As an SRMA, your responsibilities include the following:
- Conduct an introductory meeting within 14 days post-commissioning.
- Request and critically assess pertinent data and documentation.
- Engage with key stakeholders, including the CEO, CFO, Board Chair, Local Authority representatives, Headteacher, and School Business Manager (SBM).
- Evaluate recommendations and assess their feasibility.
- Facilitate an exit meeting within 28 days of acceptance.
- Finalise deployment of recommendations within 6 weeks of the initial meeting.
- Submit your comprehensive report to the Department for Education (DfE) within 10 working days following deployment.
As an SBP Mentor, you will:
- Schedule an introductory meeting within a two-week timeframe post-commissioning.
- Establish SMART objectives collaboratively with your mentee to ensure clarity and focus.
- Utilise the Department for Education (DfE) documentation templates to record details for each mentoring session.
- Require mentees to complete a self-assessment prior to the first session and an evaluation survey following the final session to gauge progress and effectiveness.
- Verify deployment specifics, including dates, hours worked, and anticipated outcomes, to maintain alignment with project goals.
- Submit comprehensive final feedback reports to the DfE within 10 working days after program completion.
“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”
Eddie Wortley-Shotton, SRMA with SBS
Ready to Make an Impact?
This is more than just a role — it’s a chance to transform education.
Apply today and take the first step toward becoming a trusted SRMA. From your first click, our team will guide you through every stage — ensuring you feel supported, confident, and ready to make a lasting impact.
