It is increasingly important that schools ensure that they have strong strategic business management and administration to ensure that they meet their key statutory duties in regards to finance, procurement, human resources, health and safety and premises management. The majority of schools now have School Business Managers (SBMs) who oversee these areas, and others such as infrastructure and marketing.

The Education Business Effectiveness Service provides free support to all maintained schools, including regular WFSBM Network meetings through which we encourage school business professionals to support each other and share best practice. SBMs new to role, or the borough, are actively encouraged to contact the EBE Service.

In addition to the SBM Network, the EBE Service has launched the School Office Manager Network (OM Network). The OM Network will provide support to Waltham Forest school office managers  and administrative staff by providing a space to share information, best practice, problem solve and training.  The OM network will meet on a bi-termly basis and aims to cover a wide variety of topics to support and develop capacity development of WF school colleagues and support key events and priorities across the academic year.

The inaugural meeting will be held on Tuesday 21 September 2021 with a focus on the upcoming Census. If you would like your office manager/team to join, please email ebe.heldesk@walthamforest.gov.uk with their contact details and we’ll send an invitation.

Future meeting dates

• 30 November 2021
• 25 January 2022
• 1 March 2022
• 10 May 2022
• 28 June 2022

More information on the support and benefits available for maintained schools.

Schools Facing Financial Challenge Action Groups

The EBE Service also manages the Schools Facing Financial Challenge Action Groups to support maintained schools with falling reserves or deficit budgets to protect the standards of education for all children and young people in Waltham. 

Schools who are concerned by their current financial situation are encouraged to contact the Education Business Effectiveness Service as early as possible for support.

Further information on the aims of the Schools Facing Financial Challenge Action Groups.

Key software licences

The EBE Service manages the following licences on behalf of schools in the borough:

• Access School Budget tool (previously HCSS) - All maintained schools choosing to access their licence for Access via the Education Business Effectiveness Service will have their licence fee and support provided for free.  This includes: access to the new online software, including Workspace; 1st line support; training sessions on the budget software and Workspace to ensure schools are getting the most from their licence; and support sessions built into the WF SBM Network meetings. 

• SIMs - The Local Authority umbrella licence covers all maintained schools and provides schools with the Core, Curriculum and Resources (including FMS) modules of SIMs. The annual charge for schools is added to the WFOnline in January /February each year, the charge is based on the numbers on roll at the October pupil census. In addition, the schools are able to purchase Lesson Monitor or Dinner Money modules.

• The Key - The Education Business Effectiveness Service negotiates significant reductions to subscriptions to The Key on the behalf of all schools within Waltham Forest. Current subscription charges can downloaded below, individual schools can purchase this via WFOnline.  

Schools who have queries regarding their licences for SIMs or The Key should email Education Business Effectiveness Service or call the Service on 020 8496 6329.

For support with Access School Budget tool, please call the Access helpline on 08453 404 546 or use the Access Support Portal.