Managing a school budget during challenging times and preparing for a school audit
This course is aimed at Governors of maintained Royal Greenwich Schools to enable them to fulfil their responsibility with regard to budget setting. Governing Boards are required to ensure that the priorities identified in the school improvement plan are resourced appropriately and that good value for money is achieved.
Governing Boards are required to submit 3-year plans of which the current year must be a balanced position, with the remaining 2 years to support due diligence planning.
The course will include:
- Governing Board approved budget plans explanation
- How to approach 3 year budget plans with consideration of any savings that can be made
- Income streams including Schools Delegated Budget Share (Primary and Secondary school)
- High Needs Funding - place funding
- Early Years Funding
- National Funding Formula (updates if appropriate)
- Engagement with Royal Greenwich if the school is not able to set a balanced budget
- Monitoring budgets including funds raised in the name of the school
- Bursarial Service
- Preparation readiness for an audit
- Business continuity and risk register
Governors will:
- have the confidence to challenge the school’s financial performance
- have the confidence to use the available data to set a 3-year budget
- have the skills and knowledge to ensure that timely and prudent management action is taken to ensure that effective budget control is maintained
- ensure that the whole Governing Board has the information available to them to become an effective and strategic group which robustly holds the school to account at all levels
All Governors, but particularly those serving on the finance/resources/business committee
Date
4th February 2026 (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
Venue
Online delivery - This session will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams
Tutors
Members of the School Accounting Team
The changing role of SEND Governance
This course will explore the specific and important role of the SEND Governor ensuring:
- The legal requirements are in place and are known and understood by all staff and adults working in your school
- That your school is ambitious for all our children with SEND and they are supported to reach their full potential
- The SEND governors have the required skills and knowledge to challenge the provision in place and the use of the notional SEND budget
There will also be an opportunity for governors to understand the process of applying for an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) including the amount of evidence that is required and discussions with external agencies, this will also include the timing and procedure for the annual reviews.
Governors will:
- have a clear understanding of their role
- have the knowledge and expertise to hold the school to account for ensuring that the policies and processes are in place and that they are being consistently applied
- have a good understanding of what they should monitor and challenge and how that is reported back to the full Governing Board
- have the knowledge to inform their Governing Boards of how the money for SEND pupils is spent and its impact
- understand the rigour and time commitment to the EHCP application process, the implications for the staff managing this process and the need to ensure that there is enough capacity for the role.
All Governors, but especially those with SEN responsibilities
100% of attendees to have completed feedback, would recommend this course.
Date
5th February 2026 (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
Venue
Online delivery - This session will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams
Tutors
Members of the SEN team
Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations to support Autistic Children
This session will provide an introduction to Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations and the rationale for using these with autistic students. Practical application in a school setting is also provided.
Pupils will:
- be supported to understand social situations through a story-based approach
Practitioners will:
- have an in-depth knowledge of how social stories and comic strip conversations can support autistic children to understand and manage social situations, and be confident in using these approaches with students themselves
Settings will:
- be supported by staff who are confident about the rationale and theory behind social stories and comic strip conversations
Staff supporting autistic pupils in schools, SENCOs, Teachers, and Teaching Assistants
An Inclusive Classroom
This engaging course is tailored for teachers and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) who are committed to creating a truly inclusive learning environment for children with SEND. It focuses on equipping participants with strategies to prioritise the well-being of every child while addressing their diverse needs.
Through collaboration, participants will have opportunities to share best practice, engage in case studies, and apply concepts in real-world scenarios.
Key themes include:
- Creating an inclusive environment by understanding a childs needs through observation, communication, and customised strategies
- Exploring how emotional and physical well-being impact learning
- Developing activities that cater to a variety of abilities, interests, and learning preferences
- Effectively utilising adults and resources to create independent, engaged learner
Staff will:
- feel confident in implementing inclusive practices that positively impact all learners
Pupils will:
- benefit from a learning environment tailored to their individual needs
- develop independence and a sense of belonging and self-worth
SENCOs and Teachers