Finance

Governors, in maintained schools and academies, are responsible for "overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent", a duty which comes from statutory regulations and is reflected in the DfE Governors' Handbook. This section provides articles and guidance relating to how governors discharge this vital aspect of their role.

• SFVS 2025 (Recorded Jan '25)

  This BG webinar, delivered by governance expert Steve Barker, explored the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) 2025 and the expectations on governing bodies. Ensured governors understood how self-evaluation underpins SFVS and should inform it's completion. This webinar also explored the key elements in the 2025 SFVS and how schools should be responding to them.

  Consultant: Steve Barker January 2025

• An Introduction to School Finance in 2024 (Recorded May '24)

  This BG webinar delivered by governance expert Steve Barker looked at clarifying the statutory tole and responsibilities of school governors relating to school finance in Autumn term 2023. Looked at good practice guidance on school finance within the Governance Competency Framework and looked to explore how governors monitoring should provide then with assurances that spending decisions are delivering value for money.

  Consultant: Steve Barker May 2024

• Budgeting During Challenging Times (RECORDED FEB '24)

  This Better Governor webinar, delivered by Governance expert Steve Barker, focussed on clarifying the role of governance in setting and agreeing budgets for maintained schools (beginning 1st April 2024). Considered how funding challenges and inflationary pressures are impacting on schools’ ability to balance their budgets and explored some of the options that governing bodies may need to consider.

  Consultant: Steve Barker February 2024

• Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) 2024 - (RECORDED JAN '24)

  This session introduced governors, in maintained schools, to the 2024 Schools Financial Value Standard, which must completed and submitted to the Local Authority before the end of this term. Governors learnt the purpose of the standard, their role in its completion and how the standard provides assurance and oversight to the governing body.

  Consultant: Steve Barker January 2024