ISBA BURSARCAST

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...

In this episode of the Bursarcast, we are joined by Julie Robinson (CEO, ISC) to go over the latest insights around the recent legal challenge brought by the ISC to the High Court around VAT on Independent School Fees.  Alongside our chat with Julie, we bring you the latest sector insights from the ISBA, including: 🛡️ Operation Encompass Update Why police notifications about domestic abuse are sti...

In this episode of the ISBA Bursarcast, we cover the key updates for independent schools this week, including: Voting now open for the 2025 ISBA Board elections High Court judgment on VAT and school fees expected today Updated VAT guidance on pre-registration input tax claims DfE policy updates on childcare, school trips, and AI in education Important ISI reminder on updating online diaries Fraud...

In this episode, we explore The Art of The Bursar — a timely and insightful new report from the ISBA and RSAcademics. As schools face increasing complexity, financial pressure, and a fast-changing educational landscape, the role of the bursar is evolving beyond operations into strategic leadership. Our guest, Heather Styche-Patel , CEO of RSAcademics, joins us to unpack the report’s key findings....

In this post-conference episode of the Bursarcast, we're joined by Sue Roxby, ISBA's Head of Advice and Guidance , to reflect on all the highlights, insights, and moments of connection from the ISBA Annual Conference 2025 in Manchester. We unpack the key themes that emerged from sessions, touch on what we heard from members on the ground, and share what’s next as we turn our attention to...

In this packed episode of The Bursarcast , we bring you the latest policy and legal updates every independent school bursar should be across, including new developments in employment law, protections for zero-hours workers, and a landmark report redefining the role of the bursar itself. We also highlight a must-read feature on staffing cost-saving strategies from Farrer & Co — a practical guid...

In this episode of Bursarcast , we’re joined by Ben Lowe from TG Escapes to explore how biophilic design and modular construction are reshaping educational spaces. Celebrating 21 years and over 800 completed projects, TG Escapes is leading the way in creating sustainable, carbon-neutral environments that meet the evolving needs of schools, including adaptable spaces for neurodiverse students. Ben...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Stewart Ward, Head of School Fee Plan, to discuss how independent schools are approaching their financial strategy in 2025 amidst growing concerns around affordability, fee structures, and the need for long-term planning.  Stewart shares insights on how schools can  Adopt more agile financial strategies Reassess fee models Engage parents on payment...

In this episode of The Bursarcast, we’re joined by Robin Bidgood and Scott Morley , Managing Directors at Holroyd Howe , to explore how independent schools can respond to the fast-changing landscape of school dining. They unpack the impact of recent government policy shifts, economic pressures, and rising food and labour costs. The conversation highlights the growing importance of sustainable and...

In this episode of The ISBA Bursarcast , we welcome Tim James, Chairman of Schoolblazer , to explore how uniform and sportswear are evolving in the independent school sector—and why it's more strategic than you might think. Tim shares valuable insights on: How schools are aligning uniform policy with values like sustainability and inclusion The importance of supply chain resilience and ethica...

In this episode of the ISBA Bursarcast , we bring you the latest news headlines for independent school operations, including: The end of business rates relief for most private schools A look at new duties under Martyn’s Law Mental health and wellbeing support via the Working Minds campaign ISBA’s new VAT resource guide to help schools stay compliant 🎧 Plus, we sit down with Scotty Mills , a forme...

In this episode of The ISBA Bursarcast , we bring you three key updates that school bursars and operations teams need to know – from immigration changes affecting boarding pupils to increased late payment penalties, and the newly launched consultation on the Charity SORP. Then, we’re joined by Amanda Webb, the ISBA’s new Chair, for a special conversation. Amanda reflects on the independent educati...