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Efficiency and value for money in schools Strategic management Collaboration Governance School business managers

Efficiency and value for money in schools

Page 1 of 8 General article Updated:12 April 2011 Share Print

We are ensuring that the maximum amount of funding possible goes straight into schools budgets where it can make the most difference, but the actual allocation each school receives will vary, depending on its circumstances. All schools should be working to make savings, spending their funds prudently and looking to maximise their resources to invest in teaching and learning. Funding can be invested directly in the front line; schools should have scope to find procurement and back-office savings of around 1 billion while the public sector pay freeze will free up an additional 1.1 billion. Improving efficiency in schools is essential. We need to make sure that all schools are using their resources in the best way possible to provide a high quality teaching and learning environment for all their pupils. Schools have autonomy over the use of their budgets and so it is for heads and governors to determine at school level how to secure better value for money. To enable them to do so, on these web pages we provide a range of advice and online tools which we hope schools will find useful.

Schools Financial Benchmarking tool

There are significant variations in efficiency between similar schools, and so its important for schools to review their current expenditure, compare it to other schools, and think about how to make improvements. Our Schools Financial Benchmarking website enables schools to benchmark their spending against other similar schools. The tool enables schools to prepare charts that compare your school's income and expenditure profile with that of similar schools.

Full guidance on using the Schools Financial Benchmarking website can be obtained by clicking the 'help' link at the top of the homepage.

Tools and case studies

From the page and table of contents on the left hand side of this page, you can access a range of value for money tools for schools and case studies of how individual schools have improved their efficiency. The tools and case studies are grouped into key themes to help schools identify those that are most useful for them. These webpages are designed to be a one stop shop for efficiency tools and support, providing schools with instant access to a few key tools and clear links to the wider range offered by other organisations. Individual schools will be best placed to determine the tools that are most useful for them. We welcome suggestions for other efficiency tools that are freely available which we could provide links to so that schools can access them more easily. Please contact VfM resources. Procurement is an important area for schools to consider for improving their efficiency. Our separate procurement for schools web pages provide advice and tools on procurement.

Tell us your views

Wed like to hear what other support schools want and what theyve done to improve their efficiency. Please contact VfM resources.

Value for Money (VfM) consultancy

The Department's funding has ended for the VfM consultancy programme. A number of providers offer VfM consultancy services for schools. If a school is interested in paying for one of these services, they will wish to consider which service best meets their specific requirements.
Associated resources
Audit Commission - Resource Packs(External site, opens a new window) The Audit Commission website provides a range of information and resource packs for schools on financial management and securing value for money. Schools may find their tools on managing school resources, workforce planning and SEN/AEN value for money particularly useful.
External link

An overview of the school workforce spending(External site, opens a new window)

Here you can access a briefing paper from the Audit Commission that provides an overview of school workforce spending, aimed particularly at chairs of governing bodies, as well as four papers designed to help schools make the best use of their workforce.
External link

National College - Leadership Library(External site, opens a new window)

The National College provides a wide range of support and information for school leaders on subjects such as strategic management, managing change, financial management and helping schools.
External link

Schools Financial Benchmarking(External site, opens a new window)

Our financial benchmarking website enables all English maintained schools to prepare charts so that they can compare their income and expenditure profiles with those of similar schools.
External link

The National Association of School Business Management (NASBM)(External site, opens a new window)

The National Association of School Business Management (NASBM) provides a range of information and training for all those involved in school business management.
External link

Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA)(External site, opens a new window) The TDA provides support for the development of the school workforce, including ways to develop your staff, school and management structure to improve pupils learning experiences.
External link

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