SEMINAR BRIEF

Workforce planning is about more than filling vacancies - it’s about creating a long-term strategy to secure your school’s future. In this seminar, Clare will guide you through practical approaches to identifying skills gaps, developing key talent and implementing succession planning. Attendees will explore strategies to align workforce planning with school priorities, adapt to changing demands and strengthen staff retention. Clare brings extensive experience across finance, HR, estates, governance, and leadership, and is a passionate advocate for the recognition and development of school business professionals.

Key Takeaways

Succession planning templates

Workforce development strategies

HR alignment tools

SEMINAR BRIEF

In this seminar, Lorraine shares practical strategies for negotiating favourable terms, setting clear expectations and maintaining supplier accountability. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for compliance, communication and performance monitoring, leaving with proven techniques to strengthen supplier relationships and deliver results. With over two decades of experience, including 15 years leading Minerva to support schools across the sector, Lorraine brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of education procurement.

Key Takeaways

Contract management techniques

Supplier negotiation strategies

Supplier accountability tools

SEMINAR BRIEF

School business leaders are at the heart of sustainability efforts in schools. In this session we bring together peer experts and sustainability specialists to share practical strategies for building impactful sustainability and climate action plans. From cutting energy use and reducing waste to embedding sustainability in school culture, the panel will offer step-by-step guidance, real-world examples and tools to inspire whole-school engagement. Speakers include Helen Burge, consultant SBL and ISBL trustee; Bryan McCourt, energy solutions consultant at Zenergi; and Daniel Baumberg, energy sector specialist.

Key Takeaways

A step-by-step guide to building a sustainability plan that works

Easy wins to cut down on energy and waste while saving money

Ideas to engage students, staff and parents in your green goals

Tools to track and report on your progress in a meaningful way

Tips on finding funding and resources to support your eco-initiatives

SEMINAR BRIEF

In this session, Education Mutual shares findings from the 2025 edition of its annual research into the mental health and wellbeing of SBLs across England and Wales. The seminar explores key challenges such as administrative pressures, budget restraints and external factors, while comparing trends with previous years to highlight changes across the sector. Attendees will gain practical recommendations for strengthening wellbeing support, tackling barriers to accessing services, and improving retention.

Key Takeaways

Strategies to strengthen mental health and wellbeing support

Discover impactful mental health and wellbeing resources

Evidence-based strategies to improve wellbeing interventions

SEMINAR BRIEF

Procurement can feel like a minefield - especially when legislation changes. This lightning session gives a fast, practical overview of the Procurement Act 2023 in plain English. In just ten minutes, Lorraine will outline ten essential takeaways every SBM and MAT leader needs to know. This whistle-stop tour cuts through the jargon to focus on what really matters for schools: compliance, clarity, and confidence. Attendees will also have the chance to put their own questions to Lorraine, gaining practical advice to avoid common pitfalls.

Key Takeaways

Ten essential takeaways from the Procurement Act 2023

What the new regulations mean for schools, MATs and SBMs

Q&A: Your chance to ask procurement-related questions—big or small

Common procurement pitfalls and practical advice to avoid them

SEMINAR BRIEF

Change is a constant in schools - and leading change is about much more than processes: it’s about people. In this session, Sharon draws on over 20 years’ experience to show what effective change leadership looks like in practice. Attendees will explore why change creates anxiety, how to reduce resistance and practical communication techniques to build trust, inclusion and positivity. With clear tools and strategies, this session equips you to lead others through transition with empathy and calm, helping teams adapt and deliver positive outcomes.

Key Takeaways

Clear, actionable tools to lead change with confidence

A people-first framework for managing change

Tools to build trust and engagement during change

Communication techniques that keep teams informed and reassured

SEMINAR BRIEF

As we round off the event, this relaxed and welcoming session brings together school business professionals for a final half hour of shared insight, peer support and real connection. It’s your chance to reflect on what stood out, ask questions that haven’t yet had space, and gather ideas from others facing similar challenges. You’ll leave with a sense of what’s resonated across the room, a few new names in your network, and hopefully a few new answers too.

SEMINAR BRIEF

When priorities clash, budgets tighten and teams are stretched, leaders need to think differently. In this session, Emma and Helen share practical strategies to cut through operational drag and free up space for true leadership. Drawing on Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats theory, they’ll show how clarity, delegation and aligning skills across teams can transform efficiency and reduce pressure. Attendees will learn how to identify inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and move from reactive firefighting to proactive leadership.

Key Takeaways

Practical strategies to improve efficiency without increasing pressure

Tools to help you simplify operations and strengthen team performance

First-hand insight from peers who’ve delivered real, sustainable change

Tips to create more space for the strategic work only you can do

SEMINAR BRIEF

This ISBL session explores Operational Excellence (OpEx) - a proven methodology for improving efficiency and delivering high-quality services across all non-teaching processes. Drawing on the latest ISBL OpEx research, Emma - a lead practitioner in ISBL’s Operational Excellence - will demonstrate why OpEx is vital in tackling funding pressures, how to embed continuous improvement and how the framework can elevate the role of school business professionals as critical leaders within education. With practical steps and strategies, this session equips SBLs to deliver meaningful, sustainable impact across their organisations.

Key Takeaways

Insight into the latest research

Implementation framework for school leaders

Information on training and development

SEMINAR BRIEF

For schools dealing with SEND provision, fighting for the right funding can feel like a full-time job. In this session, Miriam breaks down the legal steps schools can take to challenge local authority decisions around SEND funding, from clawbacks and EHCP shortfalls to alternative provision disputes. Attendees will gain an understanding of their rights, how to escalate concerns and build strong cases to protect both budgets and provision. The session will also provide an overview of the government’s planned SEND reforms, including key proposals from the forthcoming White Paper.

Key Takeaways

Clear guidance on rights

Tools for challenging unfair decisions

Strategies for protecting your budget and provision

Action schools should be taking following the publication of the SEND White Paper

SEMINAR BRIEF

With the UK’s terrorism threat level rated “substantial” and growing concern over school safety, robust and proportionate security procedures are essential. In this session, Shane - a former police superintendent - offers practical, no-nonsense guidance on reviewing and strengthening school lockdown and security protocols. Attendees will explore what a modern, proportionate lockdown plan should include, how to conduct scenario-based drills and ways to spot vulnerabilities through risk assessment. The session also covers crafting calm, effective staff communication and building strong partnerships with police and local agencies.

Key Takeaways

A step-by-step checklist for reviewing and updating your lockdown policy

A method for running effective, low-impact lockdown drills

Clear guidance on communicating expectations and building staff confidence

Actions for strengthening your security partnerships with police and peers

SEMINAR BRIEF

In this session, Darren Hemming, COO at Cloud Design Box and former teacher, shows how Microsoft Teams and SharePoint can be harnessed to simplify workflows, cut duplication and reduce stress. Attendees will explore how to build a centralised digital hub, streamline communication, improve collaboration, and introduce automation and secure AI to save time and strengthen consistency. With practical strategies and real-world examples, this session will help school leaders, IT and operations leads create joined-up systems that boost wellbeing, improve oversight, and support teaching and learning.

Key Takeaways

A practical strategy for auditing inefficiencies

Techniques to introduce automation into everyday processes

Simple tools for monitoring performance and impact

SEMINAR BRIEF

Investigations are the foundation of disciplinary, capability, grievance and absence processes - and getting them right is critical. In this session, Nick will guide delegates through the essential stages of effective investigations, from initial planning and scoping to fact-finding, interviewing staff and witnesses, collecting evidence and writing reports that stand up to scrutiny. Drawing on extensive experience supporting schools and trusts with complex employment cases, Nick will equip attendees with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to conduct professional, lawful, and robust investigations, even in sensitive or high-risk situations.

Key Takeaways

What makes a fair and lawful investigation

How to plan and scope your investigation properly from the outset

Dos and don’ts when interviewing staff and witnesses

Gathering, storing and presenting evidence appropriately

Structuring and writing investigation reports that stand up to scrutiny