Testimonials
Since spring 2008 our consultants have visited primary, secondary and special schools
across England. The thoughts of some of the teachers and business managers we have
worked with include...
"The support has been very timely and extremely useful. The experienced consultant
provided us with essential and challenging feedback. His comments have helped us
to identify the real issues underlying our current problems and have given us creative
and exciting ways to solve them. I would recommend this service to all schools."
Headteacher, Primary School, North Yorkshire
"I would recommend this excellent initiative to any other headteacher who needs
a helping hand or objective opinion about VfM related issues. The consultant - a
fellow headteacher - had real understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by
schools and had a multitude of solutions to hand. I would urge all heads to take
advantage of it."
Headteacher, Primary School, Southampton
"The visit was very positive, constructive and thoroughly useful. The consultant
was flexible and responsive to the school’s agenda and provided us with some good
ideas in the area of procurement. I have recommended the programme to other schools."
Business Manager, Secondary School, Dorset
"As a result of the visit we plan to take a number of actions. We have already rewritten
the SDP and changed the format thus raising the level by increasing staff ownership
and including clear performance indicators. These will help staff and governors
in their evaluation of SDP actions. This day was certainly good VFM!"
Headteacher, Primary School, Hampshire
"A great strength of these visits, apart from the professionalism of the consultant,
is that the issues discussed are those selected by the school. There is, therefore,
a greater sense of ownership to the final report rather than it feeling imposed."
Headteacher, Primary School, Suffolk
"I found it really useful to have the consultancy with an experienced headteacher
who understands the difficulties encountered by a small school and the demands of
headship."
Headteacher, Primary School, Lancashire
"This was extremely helpful and very timely. The pressure on this year’s budget
is extreme and it was looking like it was going to be an impossible task to set
a balanced budget. We have taken on board all the advice given by our consultant
and we are, as a consequence, in a much better position. We have made savings using
the advice given and will use the planning tools provided. The consultant was very
well informed and easy to work with."
Headteacher, Secondary School, Greenwich
"A very constructive visit that has enabled us to look where next with school and
budget planning. As a result, we’ve started to examine the SLA and best value evaluations,
administration staffing and roles. The leadership team will now start work on the
SIP, extending it to three years and with links to the budget."
Headteacher, Primary School, Knowlsey
"What a pleasure to be given something so valuable for free."
Headteacher, Infant School, West Sussex
"A useful day - after only four years of head ship, it makes me think in a slightly
different way. It would have been useful to have had something like this on the
NPQH."
Headteacher, Primary School, Nottinghamshire
"The event was brilliant and we were very impressed with the consultant. She was
able to give us many ideas and has assisted me considerably in my new role as Business
Manager. A really helpful day!"
Business Manager, Primary School, Barnsley
"The Consultant was thoroughly prepared for the visit and the report gives us realistic
goals for school improvement. As a new headteacher it has given me further confidence
for management issues. A worthwhile exercise, thank you."
Headteacher, Primary School, Norfolk
"The visit provided very practical help. We’ve already acted on the recommendation
about budget reporting and using it for governors. It presented us with a very helpful
way of summarising budget issues."
Headteacher, Primary School, Gateshead
"The consultant gave some excellent ideas on how to identify VfM from the Senior
Leadership Team and wider workforce. He listened to my concerns and gave good advice
on where to go for further information and how I could develop the resources of
the school. I would certainly recommend to my colleagues."
Headteacher, Secondary School, Leicestershire
"A helpful visit that brought the Head together with the Business Manager in a way
that will help develop joint planning. We will now look at linking the SDP with
financial planning and develop some of the processes outlined in the report."
Headteacher, Primary School, North Yorkshire
"Time well-spent. As a relatively inexperienced Head, this was an excellent opportunity.
The ease with which the visit was undertaken ensured it was no burden to my time,
just a benefit. My Office Administrator and Vice Chair of Governors also found it
a very positive and valuable experience which has already had an impact on our next
steps in school improvement."
Headteacher, Primary School, Warwickshire
"The day provided a positive and sometimes challenging view of our practice. We
have already started to look at improving our procurement practice involving a consortium
of schools and this is already showing benefit. Now we’re looking at saving across
staffing. A very useful day - I'm surprised more schools haven’t taken this up."
Headteacher, Primary School, Shropshire
"Procurement is a growing need for schools facing a budget shortfall over the next
few years, so this programme is essential for them."
Primary School, Hounslow
"The consultant made a substantial contribution to broadening the scope of our understanding
of Strategic Management and Leadership. His input was particularly helpful to the
Bursar in helping her understand her contribution to the School Improvement Plan."
Primary School, Wandsworth
"As a newly appointed head, I found the visit extremely useful. Highly recommend
the whole process - thank you."
Headteacher, Primary School, North Yorkshire
"The opportunity to use the expertise of a consultant, familiar with school finance
issues, and challenge the way the school interacts with those issues in a constructive
manner has made us reconsider our existing practice. This will bring improvements
in the short term, but perhaps more importantly, engender a change in the culture
in how the school seeks VfM."
Headteacher, Secondary School, Coventry
"As a new head I found that the consultancy provided exactly what I needed, not
only in terms of financial management but also strategic leadership. It was extremely
supportive and non judgemental. I feel in a much stronger position going into my
second year of headship."
Headteacher, Primary School, Barnsley
"It was very useful to have the opportunity to discuss the issues facing the school
from a Bursar's viewpoint with somebody outside of the school. I will use the modelling
tools suggested and adopt different approaches toward problems."
Bursar, Secondary School, Wiltshire