We are ensuring that the maximum amount of funding possible goes straight into schools’ budgets where it can make the most difference, but the actual allocation each school receives will vary, depending on its circumstances. All schools should be working to make savings, spending their funds prudently and looking to maximise their resources to invest in teaching and learning.
Improving efficiency in schools is essential. We need to make sure that all schools are using their resources in the best way possible to provide a high quality teaching and learning environment for all their pupils.
Schools have autonomy over the use of their budgets and so it is for heads and governors to determine at school level how to secure better value for money. To enable them to do so, on these web pages we provide a range of advice and online tools which we hope schools will find useful.
There are significant variations in efficiency between similar schools, and so it’s important for schools to review their current expenditure, compare it to other schools, and think about how to make improvements.
Academies’ Spend Data 2010/11
On 19 July 2012 the Department published academies' spend data for the first time. This contains information on academies’ income and expenditure for the academic year 2010/2011 as well as topline attainment indicators from the 2011 performance tables. By publishing academies’ spend data alongside attainment, we want to help academies to see if they are delivering value for money and equip parents with the information they need so that they can ask schools informed questions.
The tables are supported by a technical guide and a user guide. All documents can be downloaded from: www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance
Spend Per Pupil Data 2010-11
On 26 January 2012 we published school income and spending data for 2010-11 for all LA maintained secondary schools in England. The data is published in the 2011 Performance Tables alongside attainment data. LA maintained primary schools’ data has been in the tables since December. The data lets schools and the wider public compare how far schools are achieving value for money across all their spending and ask questions about how they can use their resources more effectively.
Our document Improving efficiency in schools makes the case for improving school efficiency and provides information to help parents and the wider public use the data to compare schools and hold their local schools to account. It uses 2009-10 data to illustrate how the spending data can identify potential savings at individual school and national level.
Schools Financial Benchmarking website
Our Schools Financial Benchmarking website enables schools to benchmark their spending against other similar schools in detail. Schools can prepare charts that compare their income and expenditure profile with that of similar schools.
Full guidance on using the Schools Financial Benchmarking website can be obtained by clicking the 'help' link at the top of the homepage.
Tools and case studies
From the associated resources section of this page and the table of contents on the left-hand side, you can access value for money tools and case studies of how individual schools have improved their efficiency. The tools are grouped into key themes to help schools identify those that are most useful for them.
These web pages are designed to be a “one stop shop” for efficiency support, providing instant access to a few key tools and clear links to the wider range offered by other organisations. Individual schools will be best placed to determine the tools that are most useful for them. We welcome suggestions for other efficiency tools that are freely available which we could provide links to so that schools can access them more easily. Please contact VfM resources.
The case studies are written by head teachers and school business managers as practical advice from schools who have implemented a successful approach to effective financial management and value for money . We recognise that all schools have individual circumstances and these case studies are not the only way to improve efficiency in schools. If you would like to share an example of good financial management in schools, please get in touch via VfM resources.
Procurement is an important area for schools to consider for improving their efficiency. Our separate procurement for schools web pages provide advice and tools on procurement.
Tell us your views
We’d like to hear what other support schools want and what they’ve done to improve their efficiency. Please contact VfM resources.
Contact details
VfM resources
Email: vfm.resources@education.gsi.gov.uk
