SRMA

SRMA deployments are free for all schools and trusts and are funded by DfE. SRMA deployments are open to all schools. SRMAs support schools to strategically use resources available to maximise value for pupils.

In all cases, you will work with a named DfE delivery lead, who will commission the visit on your behalf and act as a point of contact for you and the SRMA. Local authority deployments will usually involve more than one school, but the SRMA will visit and work with each school individually.

There are several options for an SRMA deployments and various ways an SRMA could support you. Your delivery lead can talk through which will be most suitable for your setting.

All SRMAs are accredited and trained through a rigorous training and accreditation process, delivered by EPI.

Who are School Resource Management Advisers (SRMAs)?

SRMAs are experienced practitioners who provide peer-to-peer, tailored advice to individual trusts and schools.

Working with schools they offer bespoke support; either as difficulties arise or proactively, further developing already effective practises.

SRMAs can also assist schools and trusts with identifying opportunities where resources could be deployed more efficiently and help them to strengthen financial governance and oversight.

SRMAs are able to provide individualised and holistic support to schools and academies to enable them to ensure they provide effective resource management, and typically focus on:

• Financial planning approach, management and effectiveness;
• Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP) approach and effectiveness, including use of benchmarking analysis;
• School improvement strategies and budgetary implications;
• Financial governance and internal capacity and capability;
• Pupil number projections and implications for financial planning and curriculum design;
• Approach to procurement and management of non-staff goods and services;
• Cost savings/initiatives the school/trust has already undertaken to address declining financial health/improved use of resources/school improvement.
• Mentoring and support for School Business Professionals

Experienced practitioners can apply to be either an SRMA or a SBP Mentor or Both SRMA & SBP Mentors.

Essential

• Be an Accredited Person (SRMA).
• Have at least two years’ experience of school or trust business management, or financial management in a school setting.
• Have a good understanding of how the school system works, including understanding the differences between local authority and academy trust funding and frameworks.
• Must be an expert with broad and deep knowledge of the concepts of ICFP and benchmarking and be able to demonstrate how they would use these tools practically in different settings.
• Have a good understanding of excellent resource management and know how to obtain best value for school and trust budgets through procurement, recruitment, financial governance, and financial forecasting using DfE tools and other commercial solutions.
• Not be currently working in an academy trust or local authority maintained setting that is in deficit or subject to DfE intervention. An exception to this may be granted if the deficit and/or intervention pre-exists the mentor’s appointment with the trust or school.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills supported by strong emotional intelligence and report writing skills.

Desirable

• A minimum of two years’ experience as an accountant or similar role.
• Experience of managing funding for SEND and Alternative Provision.

Essential

• Be an Accredited Person (Mentor)
• Have at least 2 years’ experience of working as a CFO in an academy trust, or School Business Manager (or equivalent) in a maintained setting and be able to evidence working knowledge of up-to-date sector developments. Mentors should be appropriately role-matched to their mentees as far as possible, e.g. a CFO mentor for a CFO mentee, but not matching a CFO mentee with a mentor who has not also held an equivalent role.
• Not be currently working in an academy trust or local authority-maintained setting that is in deficit or subject to DfE intervention. An exception to this may be granted if the deficit and/or intervention pre-exists the mentor’s appointment with the trust or school.
• Have a strong working knowledge of the concepts of Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) and benchmarking.
• Have a good understanding of excellent resource management and know how to obtain best value for school and trust budgets through procurement, recruitment, financial governance, and financial forecasting using DfE tools and other commercial solutions.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills supported by strong emotional intelligence.

SRMAs are registered with one of two suppliers, being:

School Business Services
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North Yorkshire Council
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