Managing school finances can feel overwhelming, especially with budgets getting tighter each year. That’s where forward financial planning comes in—it’s all about preparing for the future while staying focused on what matters most: your pupils.
In this blog, Kim Cannon, Juniper’s Policy and Development Manager in the Education Finance team, brings her wealth of experience to the table. She’ll walk you through why forward planning is so important and share tips to help your school or academy stay on track financially.
A three-year forward financial plan, based on your detailed school development plan, provides the school/academy with a clear view of how it will utilise its resources in the most efficient and effective way to provide the best outcomes for the pupils. Apart from the initial draft plans being included in the annual budget submission in both sectors, it is a requirement for the school's SFVS and the academy’s SRMSAC. Robust forward planning enables the governing body to be proactive rather than reactive.
Calculating the effect of potential changes enables you to examine different scenarios. This is especially useful when staffing restructures are necessary, as the financial effects often extend into later years. If you are in the unfortunate position of experiencing a falling roll, your forward plan can demonstrate the effect this will have. Conversely, accurate planning helps to make the best use of carry-forward balances.
Given that budgets are getting tighter year on year, sustainability is key. Combining your current one-year budget with costed plans for school development highlights the long-term sustainability of future spending decisions and is a key factor of integrated curriculum financial planning.
Once the initial forward plan is produced at the start of the current financial year, it should be updated periodically or whenever there is a significant change. This ensures that the full effect of that change across the three years is assessed.
There are three main changes to account for that will affect the current budget and have a knock-on effect in future years:
1. Staff contract changes are likely to result in a change in salary costs.
2. Support staff pay rise, once agreed, may differ from what was budgeted.
3. Teaching staff percentage increase may differ from what was anticipated in your current budget.
Incorporate all of these changes in updates to your salary calculations and show the difference between the current budget and your forward plan. Remember to inform your governing body of the impact.
Formulating your forward financial plan is the ideal time to review your current contracts, go through your contract register, and check termination and renewal dates. Think about whether the services/licenses are actually required. Speak to the teaching staff about curriculum software licences—are they currently in use, or have they simply been renewed year-on-year? Compare contract costs with other schools well in advance of renewal deadlines to ensure you are adhering to best-value principles.
Any additional funding received that was not in your original budget, such as new SEND income is a bonus as you would already have covered the relevant staff costs, the new income will affect your year-end position and subsequent carry forward into the new year.
Any new funding grants announced by the government to cover increased costs – such as the Core school Budget Grant to help towards teaching & support staff pay increases – will significantly alter your current position and subsequent year-end position. This grant, being an uplift to the National Funding Formula from 25/26 onwards, will have a knock-on effect on your medium-term financial plan.
Virements for either expenditure or income changes to the current budget should be processed and signed in accordance with the authorisation limits in your scheme of delegation.
Interpreting the results is paramount to benefiting from the plan.
Academies must show that they are operating as a going concern, and the forward plan provides evidence of good financial management.
Both schools and academies should have balanced in-year budgets, with the planned use of carryforwards. If you have an in-year deficit, you will be drawing on reserves to balance your budget, but remember, those reserves will eventually be used up.
An up-to-date forward plan will give prior warning of a future actual deficit position, giving time for remedial action to be taken. It will also be a good starting point for next year’s budget planning.
An updated Forward Financial Plan is critical in assessing a school's/academy's financial sustainability. Changes in staff costs and government funding must be accounted for, and the resulting effect must be assessed and reported to the governing body.
Remember, sustainability is the key.
Financial planning doesn’t have to be stressful.
If you’d like expert advice to ensure you're making the most of your school’s finances, Kim and our experienced Education Finance team are here to help.
Get in touch today—we’re here to help you make the most of your budget.