ISBA BURSARCAST

In this final briefing of 2025, we cover urgent and practical updates for independent school business leaders—starting with a fraud alert on a payroll scam targeting school offices. We also unpack new legal requirements for Companies House ID verification, share how you can benefit from ISBA’s enhanced benchmarking tool, and outline how to correct VAT return errors. Plus, inspection trends, confer...

In this episode, we cover critical end-of-term updates from ISBA Bulletin No. 27 — including new retention advice for recruitment records, UCAS contextual data for FSM-eligible pupils, and a renewed push to get schools participating in the Data Navigator benchmarking tool. We also unpack the latest guidance on VAT and early years funding, highlight the final call for the 2026 Tech Survey, and offe...

Julie Robinson, CEO of the ISC joins us this week to unpack the latest pressures on the independent sector—from pupil number drops and VAT concerns to Autumn Budget implications and staffing risks. We touch on headline data, including a 3.6% fall in pupil numbers, and explore wider financial signals like rising staff costs and a new cap on pension-related NI relief. Also covered: changes to unfair...

In this episode, we unpack the latest inspection data from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), break down changes to the HR1 Form from 1 December 2025, and flag urgent implications of the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill. With compliance rates falling and new legal restrictions coming into force from 2026, schools need to act now to maintain flexibility and meet statutory requirements. T...

Independent schools need data they can trust—and use. In this episode, ISBA’s Sue Roxby (re)introduces Data Navigator , a purpose-built benchmarking tool designed specifically for bursars and finance teams across the sector. With sector-specific metrics, clean visuals, and peer-group comparisons, Data Navigator helps schools move from instinct to evidence—supporting better planning, clearer report...

We begin with a concise round-up of the latest ISBA news and bulletin headlines — including sector updates, new resources, and key policy developments for independent schools. Then we turn to the main feature, where we’re joined once again by Katie Saunders from Furlong to explore how schools can take a strategic, system-wide approach to financial efficiency . Katie explains how true efficiency go...

In this episode, we are joined by Lucy Wyatt, Director of ISBA’s Recruitment Services, to discuss the growing challenges schools face in recruitment and retention. With rising costs, shifting regulations, and an increasingly competitive job market, Lucy explores how ISBA supports schools in building strong, adaptable teams that can meet the demands of a changing sector. Lucy shares insights into e...

In this episode, Lou Bennett ( CEO of IDPE) joins us to discuss why senior leadership engagement is the cornerstone of successful fundraising in schools. As financial pressures grow, Lou introduces the Fundraising Futures Report — a practical framework to help schools diversify income, build community relationships, and embed fundraising into long-term strategy. In This Episode Why schools must di...

In this edition of The Bursarcast Podcast , we begin with a concise round-up of the latest ISBA news and bulletin headlines — including sector updates, new resources, and key policy developments for independent schools. Then we turn to the main feature, where we’re joined by Paul Gregory , Group Commercial Director at HSEnergy Group , to explore how schools can take practical steps toward energy i...

In this edition of Bursarcast, we bring you a crisp, up‑to‑date news roundup followed by a deep dive with Kieran Smith and Josie Morgan Jones from Crowe , discussing VAT issues for independent schools. Highlights include: The 2025 refresh of ISBA’s parent contract templates, and the new offer letter and bursary conditions documents ISBA’s confidential mentoring service: what it is and how it works...

In this week’s episode, we’re tackling two key areas that are front of mind for many school leaders right now: crisis leadership and inspection readiness. [News Round-Up | 00:00 – 04:00] We start with the latest sector updates, including insights from the newly released ISI Annual Review of Inspections 2024–25 . With a notable dip in compliance rates — down to 82.1% for routine inspections — we hi...

This week, we’re focusing on a topic that affects every operational role across independent schools: how ISBA can best support its members – now and in the future . Joining us is: Sue Roxby , Head of Advice and Guidance at ISBA. Together, we unpack the purpose, scope, and importance of the 2025 ISBA Member Survey , which is now open to all registered school contacts. Topics include: Why ISBA is ru...

This week, we’re diving into a topic that’s always on the radar for school leaders and operational staff: inspections . Joining us is: Durell Barnes , consultant and inspections expert Together, we explore how to stay inspection-ready without letting it become an operational drain. Topics include: The latest thinking on compliance and safeguarding What inspectors are really looking for in 2025 Pra...

This week’s episode covers the latest updates affecting independent schools, with a particular focus on school furniture . We welcome a full panel of expert guests from Morleys (Janinne Taylor, Chanelle Williams, Katie Kerwin & Harriet Newman) to share trends and insights on the sector's built environment. Together they share: Best practice when designing educational spaces How to ensure you r...

This week’s episode covers the latest updates affecting independent schools, with a particular focus on compliance, finance, and statutory duties. We also welcome expert guests Ian Morgan (Risk Services Director) and Dom Haigh (Risk Services Associate) from Assured Partners to discuss the new fire safety guidance and its practical implications for school operations and estates teams. Together they...

This week, we’re tackling a topic that’s high on the operational agenda: school transport . Joining us are: Dominic Kalantary , Co-Founder of Vectare , and Alex Hume , Operations & Compliance Director at Northampton High School (GDST) Together, they share real-world insights into: Cutting costs without cutting corners Going digital with route planning and communication Safety, sustainability,...

In this episode of the ISBA Bursarcast , we explore how independent schools are using smart technology to strengthen safeguarding and enhance estate security — from discreet vape detection systems to cloud-based CCTV and integrated access control . We’re joined by Tom Piggott from Verkada , a leading manufacturer of modern security solutions, and Mark Power from Net-Ctrl , one of the UK’s top-tier...

This week on the ISBA Bursarcast: Is solar right for your school—and can it really be affordable, low-risk, and disruption-free? We’re joined by Chris Styles , Commercial Director at Westwood Energy , to unpack what solar energy looks like in practice for independent schools. From navigating heritage buildings and campus constraints, to funding options with no upfront cost, Chris offers clear, pra...

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast delivers a fast-paced round-up of the latest regulatory and operational updates for UK independent schools—followed by a practical conversation on risk management with Sarah Pearson from Ecclesiastical Insurance. 🧾 Headlines include : HMRC’s VAT ruling on RNCSF SpringBoard grants – what schools must do now Updated ISBA employment contract templates and DBS clause Tax-F...

In this episode of the ISBA Bursarcast, we speak with Sue Roxby, ISBA’s Head of Advice and Guidance , about the forthcoming member survey and the wider issues currently affecting independent schools. Sue shares how the survey will work this year, what it aims to achieve, and why input from members will be vital in shaping ISBA’s strategy. The discussion also covers the key considerations for bursa...

Recruitment in independent schools can be challenging – from finding the right skills to ensuring a perfect fit for your school’s unique culture. In this episode of the ISBA Bursarcast , we speak with Lucy Wyatt from ISBA’s Personnel Services to uncover how their tailored recruitment model helps schools find the right people when they need them. We explore: How ISBA’s recruitment service began and...

In this week’s ISBA Bursarcast, we guide you through a packed bulletin of sector-wide updates, including significant changes to RSHE guidance, a draft of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, and a roadmap for the Employment Rights Bill—the biggest overhaul of employment law in decades. We also cover new compliance guidance on early years funding, scam warnings, data breach protocols, and lesso...

This week on The ISBA Bursarcast , we’re joined by Sue Roxby , Head of Advice and Guidance at ISBA, and Hugh Young , Senior Associate at Farrer & Co, to unpack the practical implications of the Employment Rights Bill for independent schools. With key provisions — including changes to “fire and rehire” practices — now set to come into force in October 2026 , schools have a critical window for t...

In this week’s episode of the ISBA Bursarcast, we cover key updates that every bursar and school leader needs to know before the summer break. In the news this week: The DfE confirms Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 will be published next month, with future changes expected to reflect major safeguarding reforms. Postgraduate teaching apprenticeships will shorten to 9 months from August 2025...

In this episode of The Bursarcast , we’ve got the latest sector updates every independent school bursar should know — from board elections and VAT tweaks to asbestos rules, data law changes, and a new part-time role at the ISBA. 🧠 Guest Spotlight: Smarter School Procurement Are you getting value from your suppliers, or just getting by? Procurement expert Paul Wright joins us to break down how sch...