Central Team Services
Supporting our schools in their day to day management and administration is key to ensuring that children and their staff perform at their best. Leaders are free to lead teaching and the Central Team supports schools to run an efficient operation. Our Central Team has expertise in finance, HR, governance, premises, ICT and school business administration.
Our core offer to all Academies within our Trust includes:
FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT | ||
Monthly management accounts |
Supplier invoices paid |
Advice and guidance |
Completion of all EFSA returns |
Capital accounting completed |
Debt management |
Grant bid support |
Bank reconciliations |
Staff expenses processing |
Completion of 3 year forecast |
Month end procedures |
Analysis of benchmarking data |
Attendance at LGB/Trustees meetings when required |
Prediction of income streams e.g. nursery, Pupil Premium, SEND |
PE Sports Grant and Pupil Premium spend reports |
Cash flow forecasting |
Internal and external auditing |
Budget monitoring and forecasts |
Staffing scenarios |
Licences for finance systems |
Third party reconciliation |
VAT reports and reclaims |
Admin staff training |
Latest guidance |
Finance Policies provided |
Childcare vouchers reconciliation |
Evidencing VFM procurement |
PAYROLL |
Third party payments made to HMRC, pensions |
Payroll reconciliations completed |
Electronic payslips provided for all staff |
Payroll checking reports |
Teachers’ pension end of year certificates |
All pay queries dealt with centrally |
Maternity and paternity pay |
PROCUREMENT |
Support and guidance |
Economies of scale via Trust wide purchasing |
Support to ensure procurement compliance |
Compliant tendering processes |
ESFA Financial Handbook compliant |
Central contracts register held at Trust level |
School level support with purchases |
HR SUPPORT |
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Dedicated HR advisor |
Advice on redundancies and redeployment |
Attendance and reports for LGB meetings as required |
Assistance with recruitment and advertising |
Support and attendance at staff HR meetings |
Liaison with the LA and other agencies as required |
Staff absence and management |
Staff issues including harassment, bullying and grievances |
Occupational Health advice and support |
Job descriptions and person specifications provided |
Latest guidance and legislation |
Maternity and paternity guidance |
All HR policies provided and updated |
Allegations against staff support |
Support with the TUPE process when converting |
Staff wellbeing support |
PREMISES / HEALTH AND SAFETY |
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Experienced H&S advisor |
Staff risk assessments e.g. DSE |
Audit visits |
Assistance with management of legionella and asbestos |
Regular inspections |
Procurement of contractors for major works |
Guidance on latest regulations |
Project management of site work |
All H&S policies provided |
Ensuring schools are compliant with statutory checks |
On-going training and support |
Sourcing suppliers for specialised equipment e.g. Covid |
Attendance at termly audit meetings and reviews |
Centrally held register of all checks and recheck alerts |
Educational risk assessments |
Vetting of contractors and method statements |
Advice on all property and land matters |
Liaison with grounds teams and maintenance |
GOVERNANCE AND CLERKING |
Covid-19 compliance manager |
Clerking of all LGB and Trustees meetings |
Creation and production of all policies |
Governor recruitment support |
Business interest register maintained |
Secure governor area on school website |
Support annual skills audit |
Production of annual schedule of business |
GDPR DPO Officer |
FOI requests |
SCHOOL DATA SUPPORT |
Statutory data returns |
Support for termly census submission |
Secure access support |
Trust wide performance and tracking data support via third party |
National curriculum assessment tools and data transfer support |
Key to Success and S2S data transfer support |
BUSINESS SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS |
Training and support of all school admin staff when required |
Guidance on processes and tasks for all admin staff |
Newly converted schools support |
Training on MIS relevant to the school and smooth transition to Trust MIS |
Support with ParentPay and parent home school communication tools |
Trust wide communications |
Access to latest policies and guidance |
Emergency cover at school level if required |
Support and validation of census returns |
Support with transfers from primary to secondary schools |
ICT |
Effective ICT infrastructure |
Day to day support with any ICT issues |
Creation and management of school email addresses |
Support with management of school websites to ensure compliance |
Social media support |
Network safety and filtering |
Hardware maintenance |
Telephones and broadband procurement |
ICT licences |
Managed print support |
NORTH STAR ALLIANCE |
Access to North Star and Red Kite expert teacher training programmes |
Support with NQT training and mentoring |
Primary School Direct training courses |
Blended online and face to face training available |
Access to and publication of CPD training events published in advance to assist planning |
Access to science network groups |
Subject leader development courses |