Effective Financial Management: A Practical Guide for School Business Managers and Governors

The demands on school business managers, and those who manage the finances on behalf of the school, have increased immeasurably in recent years due to the demand for greater and more transparent accountability. Best practice now involves joined-up leadership, with Headteachers, business managers and governors aware of their responsibilities for financial probity and diligence in their management of public money. This well-grounded and practical guide provides the reader with a flavour of the outstanding work carried out by school business management professionals across the country. Case studies lead readers to understand how people at the frontline have responded to the demands made upon them by government, by Ofsted and by the Education Funding Agency.

Joan Binder is a member of the FASNA Executive Board and leads the continuing expansion of professional development programmes for governors, Headteachers and senior leaders. Joan has represented the interests of autonomous schools to many other organisations including NEOST (National Employers Organisation for School Teachers), National College and teaching unions and has participated in a wide range of DfE consultations and strategy groups focussing on employer and governance issues. In 2007 Joan won the East of England Governor of the Year award and is currently Chair of Governors of a large 11-18 secondary converter academy in Essex and chair of governors at a 300+ pupil community primary school consulting on academy status. Peter Beaven is a member of the FASNA Executive Board. He has represented FASNA on numerous groups including the Academy Funding Reference Group. Peter is editor of Academy Magazine, published in partnership with FASNA, and runs the National Induction Panel for Teachers, which FASNA inaugurated with IAA in 2013. Peter retired from Headship in 2012. For eighteen years he was Headteacher at Norton Hill School, an outstanding converter academy in Midsomer Norton. For the final three years he was also Headteacher at Somervale School in Midsomer Norton - an early example of a multi-academy trust. Peter was a National Leader of Education and chaired his Local Authority Schools Forum for eight years.