top of page
< Back
EE LIVE 2026_Section banners V25.jpg

Operational Excellence for Education

How Operational Excellence in Education can help solve your schools’ funding and resource issues


This closing keynote session explores Operational Excellence (OpEx), a proven methodology for improving efficiency and delivering high-quality services across all non-teaching processes. The session will provide key findings from the innovative ISBL Operational Excellence research piece and share insights into how OpEx in Education can be delivered within any school, trust or group of schools.


 It will cover the principles of OpEx, its application in schools and trusts, and practical steps to embed continuous improvement while enabling teaching excellence.



TAKE HOME POINTS


· Insight into the latest research findings

· Implementation framework for school leaders

· Information on training and development



THIS SESSION IS FOR SCHOOL BUSINESS LEADERS WHO:


SBLs whowant to have a strategic impact across the whole of their setting as well as increasing their influence and recognition as an expert practitioner.



IN THIS SEMINAR WE WILL EXPLORE:


  • Why OpEx is fundamental to addressing funding pressure and ensuring resource optimisation in schools and trusts.

  • How to use the OpEx for Education framework as a guide and starting point for incremental improvements and capacity gains.

  • How OpEx can help school business professionals gain more recognition as critical leaders in the school system.

Mark O'Brien
About the speaker


Mark is chief operating officer at Marjory Kinnon School, one of the UK’s largest SEND schools and is also a school resource management advisor for the DfE/EFSA. Mark enjoys strategy, leading organisational development and change and is enthused when tackling complex problems. Developed over a twenty-five year career in the education, charity, housing and community sectors, he has a passion for tackling the link educational underachievement has with disadvantage and disability. Outside of his professional life, Mark loves spending time with his young family, has a keen interest in rugby and hopes to one day be better at golf!

bottom of page