With school budgets under increasing strain, the need to understand and control energy costs has never been greater. This session breaks down the realities schools are facing today. You'll come away with a clear view of where savings can be made, what to prioritise and how to build a smarter approach that protects your budget and long-term plans. We will look at everything from smarter procurement and contract alignment to the quick-win operational efficiencies that make an immediate difference.

If you sit on SLT, or you hold finance, estates, compliance and operations, risk is rarely theoretical. This session shows how to get risks under control using a lifting the bonnet view of internal scrutiny; we look at what scrutineers and auditors actually examine, where schools and trusts commonly cut corners, and the blind spots that keep recurring. You will gain a clearer way to set risk appetite, strengthen assurance and maintain a live risk register that drives decisions, prioritisation and contingency planning.

ICFP is one of the most effective tools for managing rising costs and staffing pressures. With staff making up around 80 percent of school spend, even small shifts in deployment can make a significant difference. This session shows how integrated curriculum and financial planning can improve curriculum design, strengthen staffing decisions and support long term sustainability. It focuses on practical, proactive ways to use ICFP so you can deliver value for money without compromising the offer for pupils.

Belonging is when pupils and staff feel part of the school, valued, and able to contribute. When it is missing, the impact shows up fast. This session turns belonging into an operational and financial lever, not a slogan.  Drawing on Phil’s CEO experience, MBA perspective and PhD research, you will leave with a clear line of sight between belonging and what you are accountable for: staff stability, school improvement capacity, risk and cost control.

When catering or cleaning contracts are up for renewal, school business leaders face a familiar dilemma.  Do you use a framework for speed and compliance, or go out to tender to drive value and control costs? This session breaks down the real-world pros and cons of frameworks versus direct procurement, with a focus on catering and cleaning.  It helps you make informed, defensible decisions based on your school or trust’s size, capacity, risk appetite and commercial priorities.

Finance teams are facing mounting pressure, from rising costs and complex compliance requirements to ever-increasing demands on reporting and transparency. AI and cloud-based systems are transforming how trusts manage finance, taking away repetitive manual tasks, reducing risk and opening up new possibilities for real-time visibility. This session will explore how smarter finance systems can support leaders to plan with confidence, report with clarity and make decisions that strengthen day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

This session lifts the lid on where hidden savings can be found and how a strategic shift in catering provision – including the role of high-quality prepared solutions – can reduce waste, ease staffing demands and still meet nutritional standards.  Using real examples from schools and trusts, we explore how the right catering model can enhance financial resilience, support inclusion, and improve the overall dining experience for pupils

With the national threat level still rated substantial and school incidents back in the headlines, lockdown planning has shifted from 'sensible practice' to 'must have'. Led by security specialist Shane, this session cuts through the noise and shows you what proportionate, modern lockdown planning looks like in 2026. We cover the practical steps that help you stay compliant, calm and ready, whether you're the person writing the plan or the senior leader responsible for making sure it happens across multiple sites

In this workshop, you will access practical course materials, tailored advice and actionable strategies to help you take control of energy and carbon reduction in your setting. Led by Zenergi's Head of Consultancy Delivery, Harry Eaves, and Consultant School Business Leader Helen Burge, ISBL Fellow and Trustee, this ISBL-accredited workshop gives you the tools and insights needed to build confidence, strengthen your planning and drive meaningful change across your school or trust.

Subject access requests (SARs) can be time-consuming and complex to manage, especially alongside the many other priorities school business professionals’ juggle. In this session, Shane draws on extensive experience supporting hundreds of schools with SARs and data protection processes. He'll share insights into what's working on the ground, what's changed in recent legislation (including new ICO guidance and cooling-off periods), and how you can develop school-friendly procedures that protect your team, your pupils and your time.

Finance teams are facing mounting pressure, from rising costs and complex compliance requirements to ever-increasing demands on reporting and transparency. AI and cloud-based systems are transforming how trusts manage finance, taking away repetitive manual tasks, reducing risk and opening up new possibilities for real-time visibility. This session will explore how smarter finance systems can support leaders to plan with confidence, report with clarity and make decisions that strengthen day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

As a school business leader, you hold insight, experience and expertise that deserve strategic recognition. This session is about stepping into that space fully: building confidence, honing communication and making sure your voice is heard as a driver of decisions. We'll look at how to frame complex issues - from finance to operations - as clear, persuasive propositions. We'll explore how to navigate meetings, manage dynamics and assert yourself as a strategic partner rather than a support function.