School budget & expenditure

Whether you're a member of the finance committee or not, know what questions to ask about different areas of the budget at whichever stage it comes to you for approval.

Get an idea of what your budget approval process might look like, so you're clear on when you're involved and what you need to do.

Find out how to manage conflicts of interest if you’re buying a governor's or trustee's goods or services. If you're an academy trust, understand the rules around managing related party transactions.

Understand the basics of how your school or trust buys goods and services.

Find out what to do before your finance committee meetings and use our questions to help you scrutinise the budget throughout the year. It's a long read, but will help you go through your budget with a fine-tooth comb.

Be clear on how you can go about monitoring value for money in your school, whether you're a governor on a maintained board or a local governing body (LGB)

Get an idea of how you might be involved in school finance, like the budget setting process, regardless of how much delegated power you have.

Your board must have oversight of how your school or trust spends its funding. Find out when and how to monitor decisions about buying goods and services.

Know what your role is in monitoring pupil premium spending, and get up to speed with the rules on what it should and shouldn't be spent on.