A key question asked this week is, What does catering now signal about culture, quality and the day-to-day school experience?

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast opens with the key operational and regulatory developments for the sector this week, including updated Independent School Standards Regulations on restrictive interventions, refreshed Independent Schools Standards Guidance, and sharper inspection expectations around behaviour policy, mobile phones and implementation on the ground.

We also look at the wider compliance picture for schools, including the DfE consultation on supporting children with medical conditions and allergy, plus practical reminders on Renters’ Rights, teachers’ pensions re-enrolment, and current health and safety developments.

Then, in our guest segment, we are joined by Scott and Robin from sector-leading independent school caterers Holroyd Howe, ahead of the ISBA Annual Conference at ICC Wales, where Holroyd Howe will be one of the headline sponsors. In a wide-ranging discussion, we explore the impact of catering on the school experience for pupils, parents and staff, what best practice looks like, and where school catering may be heading next. Whether your school caters in-house or works with a specialist provider, there are useful takeaways across the school community.

In this episode:

• New ISSR requirements on recording and reporting force, seclusion and restraint
• Updated Independent Schools Standards Guidance
• Inspection implications for behaviour, mobile phone policy and staff understanding
• DfE consultation on medical conditions and allergy
• Renters’ Rights, TPS automatic re-enrolment and HSE updates
• Guest discussion with Scott and Robin from Holroyd Howe on catering, culture and the school experience

• ISBA template Behaviour Management Policy
• ISBA’s Bursar’s Guide to ISI Inspections
• ISBA guidance note on TPS and managing automatic re-enrolment
• ISBA member guidance and source bulletin materials
• ISBA Annual Conference at ICC Wales

More from Holroyd Howe https://holroydhowe.com/

New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast brings you a focused newsbeat on staff accommodation, charity accounting reform, safeguarding consultation changes, restrictive intervention duties and key compliance pressures—centred on what bursars and senior leaders need to know now.

We cover the new staff accommodation advice ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act changes coming into force from 1 May, the operational implications of Charities SORP 2026, the latest proposed changes in the KCSIE 2026 consultation, and the new legal duties now in force on recording and reporting seclusion and restraint.

This episode is designed for time-poor professionals who want clarity, context and practical next steps—without wading through long guidance notes and technical updates.

What You’ll Learn

• What the new staff accommodation guidance means for schools with employees living on site, and why housing arrangements now need active review
• How Charities SORP 2026 could affect reserves, lease treatment, income recognition, disclosures and covenant discussions
• What the proposed KCSIE 2026 changes could mean for staff reading requirements, safeguarding policy, DSL cover, mental health, serious violence and AI-related risks
• Why do the new seclusion and restraint recording duties now need to be live in school systems and parent communication processes
• What the latest DfE reminder means for schools considering material change applications for September 2026
• Why asbestos management, first aid supply checks and workplace stress prevention remain live operational issues
• What members can expect from Wednesday at the ISBA Annual Conference, including keynote sessions from Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Susannah Streeter

Resources Mentioned

• ISBA Reference Library: Staff Accommodation Advice for Schools in England
• The new Charities SORP 2026 and ISBA webinar: The New Charities SORP Unpacked
• DfE consultation on Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026
• DfE guidance on restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force, in schools
• Department for Education guidance on independent schools applying to make a material change
• HSE and DfE asbestos management resources for schools
• ISBA Annual Conference 2026 programme and booking information

(Full details and links are available via the ISBA Weekly Bulletin and member resources.)

Subscribe & Follow

ISBA Bursarcast

New episodes every Friday at 4pm.

Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Acast to stay informed on the latest in independent school operations.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast covers the operational issues UK independent schools need on their radar now, followed by a guest discussion on school marketing, admissions strategy and pupil recruitment.

• Inspection readiness: Mobile phone guidance
• Restrictive interventions from 1 April 2026
• Key implications for policy, training and oversight
• Companies House cyber risk: Why schools should check company records
• Risks for governors, trustees and senior leaders
• VAT update: Final Bursar’s Guide to VAT
• PTA purchases and VAT recovery watchpoints
• Finance systems: Low satisfaction, weak reporting and integration issues
• Why this matters for workload, control and decision-making
• DfE round-up: Data protection toolkit updates
• KCSIE consultation
• Data retention linked to the Grooming Gangs Inquiry

We speak to James about School Scout and what it says about the future of independent school marketing.

They explore:

• how families search for and compare schools
• why location and travel time matter
• what schools can learn from pre-inquiry behaviour
• why insight and personalisation may matter more than bigger budgets
• how AI could shape admissions and parent engagement

A practical episode for bursars, finance leads, operations teams and senior leaders focused on compliance, inspection, cyber awareness, systems, and smarter pupil recruitment.

ISBA Reference Library

Includes the final Bursar’s Guide to VAT, the updated Holiday/Summer Lets Agreement, recorded webinars, and member guidance materials.

ISBA Advice and Guidance team

For school-specific follow-up questions on the issues covered in the bulletin.

Companies House guidance

Includes the update on the WebFiling security issue and the closure of the online accounts and Company Tax Return service from 31 March 2026.

DfE guidance and consultations

Including the updated data protection in schools toolkit, the Keeping Children Safe in Education consultation, and consultation on support for pupils with medical conditions.

The Circuit

National defibrillator database for checking whether a school’s defibrillator is visible to ambulance services and marked rescue ready.

UKHSA and NHS meningitis information

For schools and families following the Kent and Medway meningococcal disease outbreak updates.

VWV article and guidance references

Including the copyright infringement reminder and article on restrictive interventions.

ISBA Annual Conference 2026

11–13 May 2026, ICC Wales.

More from School Scout https://schoolscout.uk/

[email protected]

New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast looks at rising fee arrears in independent schools — and what bursars and finance teams can do to respond earlier, more consistently, and with greater confidence.

We speak to Richard Monan from Redwood Collections about what schools are seeing on the ground, including debts that are becoming older, larger and harder to recover.

• Why fee arrears are becoming more difficult to manage
• How post-VAT pressure is affecting parent debt and school decisions
• Why good arrears management starts with process and consistency
• The value of a structured 7 / 14 / 21-day follow-up cycle
• Why schools should not wait too long before escalating or seeking specialist support
• Common dispute areas, including fees in lieu of notice and separated parents
• The risk of losing credibility by setting timelines and not following through
• How to balance fair treatment, compassion and consistency
• Why governors should keep sight of cost versus recovery
• Redwood’s wider support, including credit management, Parent Check Plus, and options for historic debt portfolios

• ISBA’s Spring Term Sector Update recording is now available
• Key changes on restrictive interventions, mobile phone policy, employment law and TPS budgeting
• A preview of ISBA Annual Conference 2026
• Updated Scottish employment contract templates
• A useful read on the updated Charity Governance Code
• Current bursar vacancies at Stover School and St Cedd’s School
• Advice on verifying references
• An inspection reminder on supply staff and the SCR
• The latest update on the meningitis outbreak in Kent
• A call for feedback on the template safeguarding policy
• The extended Stickman Pupil Recruitment Risk Check
• A free ACAS neurodiversity webinar
• Updates to Working Together to Safeguard Children
• The next NABs programme and upcoming ISBA webinars

• ISBA Weekly Bulletin 10
• ISBA Reference Library
• ISBA Spring Term Sector Update
• ISBA Annual Conference 2026 — 11–13 May, ICC Wales
• ISBA Safer Recruitment Pack

More from Redwood Collections: https://www.redwoodcollections.com/

New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast asks a practical question for bursars and estates leaders: if schools are building again, what are they building for — and what actually counts as value now?

Karl Stokes from TG Escapes joins us to talk about renewed enquiry levels, the rise of early years, sports and wellbeing spaces, and why schools are taking a more considered approach to sustainability, design and whole-life cost.

Alongside the feature, we deliver a short newsbeat from the latest ISBA bulletin, including: bookings for ISBA Annual Conference 2026 at ICC Wales from 11–13 May, updated DfE generative AI product safety standards, current bursar recruitment opportunities, a VAT reminder on school photographer commission, this week’s inspection tip on provision of information, the upcoming data protection webinar on 20 March, fresh sector commentary on SEND reform, new medical conditions and allergy guidance expected from September 2026, the extended Pupil Recruitment Risk Check offer, updated Prevent principles, and a reminder on HMRC’s “don’t get caught out” campaign on staff expense claims.

• Why independent school building enquiries appear to have picked up again
• Which facilities are schools prioritising most right now
• Why wellbeing and pastoral spaces are becoming a more prominent part of the estates conversation
• What panelised construction is — and how it differs from “modular boxes”
• How to think about school building value beyond the initial capital spend
• Why are sustainability expectations rising in school estate projects
• Why planning and consultation may require longer lead times than expected
• This week’s key operational headlines from the ISBA bulletin

• ISBA Annual Conference 2026, 11–13 May 2026, ICC Wales
• ISBA webinars on SEND, data protection, Charities SORP, CDC pensions, and KCSIE
• ISBA Reference Library and multimedia recordings
• DfE Generative AI Product Safety Standards
• HMRC guidance on VAT and school photographer commission
• Home Office key principles of Prevent
• Draft guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions and allergy
• TG Escapes

New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast looks at how independent schools are rethinking uniform and sportswear — with Tim James from Schoolblazer — as budgets tighten and parents become more value-conscious.

Tim describes a challenging year, driven by VAT changes and a sharper focus on pricing. His headline: parents will still pay for quality, but they increasingly resent paying for items that are rarely worn.

In response, schools are moving towards multi-use garments — such as reversible rugby tops and puffer jackets — and taking a harder look at how lists are specified and communicated.

We also explore how uniform design is evolving, including a trend toward aligning boys’ and girls’ uniforms in appearance and cost (while still designing appropriately for each), and the growing influence of high-street fashion, including quarter-zip styles.

Sportswear — around half of School Blazers’ business — is positioned as a key lever for participation and wellbeing, especially amid concerns about sedentary, body-conscious pupils. Tim highlights kit developments, including new leggings, a new sports bra, and more choices in girls’ kit.

Operationally, Tim shares what “good” looks like from a supplier perspective: tight KPIs on stock, delivery and returns, plus a practical bursar reminder — review termination clauses early, not when you’re already under pressure. We also touch on international growth and what to expect at the ISBA Conference (11–13 May, ICC Wales).

Alongside the feature, we deliver a short newsbeat from Weekly Bulletin 8 (05 Mar 2026), including: ISBA’s new Chief Executive (from 01 May 2026), new guidance on safe and responsible streaming, VAT risks around bursary grant arrangements, the 31 Mar 2026 action deadline to begin business rates appeals for potential backdated savings, advice to refund (not transfer) unused Fees in Advance, a reminder on prohibition from teaching checks, and cautious budgeting guidance on TPS.

• How to pressure-test uniform lists for value without undermining quality
• Why multi-use items are rising — and how they can reduce friction with parents
• What’s changing in boys’/girls’ uniform alignment and sports kit choice
• Supplier KPIs bursars should ask for: stock, delivery performance, returns
• Contract basics: why termination clauses need an early review
• This week’s key operational actions from ISBA’s bulletin

• ISBA Weekly Bulletin 8 (05 Mar 2026)
• ISBA Reference Library: Safe, Responsible Streaming guidance; VAT bursary grants note; TPS briefing; trackers (member-only)
• ISBA Annual Conference: 11–13 May 2026, ICC Wales
• GOV.UK: Check a teacher’s record (prohibition from teaching)
• DfE consultation: supporting pupils with medical conditions at school
• SchoolBlazer website https://www.schoolblazer.com/

Subscribe & Follow: New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast looks at the changing shape of school transport in the independent sector — with Dominic Kalantary from Vectare — ahead of the ISBA Conference (11–13 May at ICC Wales), where Vectare is one of the headline sponsors.

We explore key market trends, including widening catchments, express and park-and-ride style routes designed to compete with car travel, and a notable shift from externally operated services to in-house fleets for cost, control and branding benefits — including an example of a school moving quickly to internal vehicles.

Alongside the feature, we also deliver a short newsbeat covering the week’s key operational headlines, including SEND reform consultation, VAT guidance consolidation, regional meetings, mobile phone policy expectations, inspection readiness for RAAC/cladding, and the KCSIE consultation.

This episode is designed for time-poor professionals who want clarity, context and practical next steps — especially those responsible for budgeting, compliance, estates operations and stakeholder communications.

• Why transport spend is back under the microscope — and what the “tale of two halves” means for planning and procurement
• The trend towards wider catchments and express / park-and-ride routes — and how this changes cost and service design
• The pros and trade-offs of moving from outsourced provision to an in-house fleet — including control, consistency and brand visibility
• Why mid-day trips can quietly inflate costs — and how routinely quoting each trip can drive savings
• What “active compliance management” looks like for fleets — and why updates such as DVSA roadworthiness guidance matter
• How transport tech is evolving: responsible AI for insight, operational integrations (including OpenApply) and WhatsApp notifications
• A quick scan of this week’s headlines: SEND reform (England), VAT guidance, regional meetings, mobile phones, parent contracts, RAAC/cladding inspection readiness, and KCSIE consultation
• 
  

• ISBA Weekly Bulletin 7 (26 Feb 2026) — key operational headlines
• ISBA Reference Library — consolidated VAT guidance (Bursar’s Guide to VAT + appendices), Parent Contract FAQs, asbestos/estates resources, previous bulletins and webinar recordings (member-only)
• DfE consultation: SEND reform proposals (England) (as referenced in the bulletin)
• DfE guidance: Mobile phones in schools (non-statutory)
• KCSIE consultation: Keeping Children Safe in Education — 2026 proposed revisions (England) (as referenced in the bulletin)
• DVSA roadworthiness guidance updates (as referenced in discussion)
• ISBA Conference: 11–13 May 2026, ICC Wales
• Vectare Website

ISBA Bursarcast

New episodes every Friday at 4pm.

Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Acast to stay informed on the latest in independent school operations

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast is led by a practical deep-dive on what a high-quality, safe and effective nursing service looks like in independent schools — with Jane Graham, an experienced paediatric nurse and independent school medical lead.

Jane explains why registered nurses are not simply “highly qualified first aiders”, and what robust school nursing governance looks like day-to-day: medicines management, confidentiality, safeguarding, record-keeping, clinical space, and the line management and clinical supervision needed to keep pupils safe — especially where nurses are lone-working.

Alongside the feature, we also deliver a short newsbeat covering the week’s key operational headlines, including KCSIE consultation, measles/infectious disease resources, mobile phone policy and inspection readiness, and Charities SORP changes.

This episode is designed for time-poor professionals who want clarity, context and practical next steps — especially those responsible for risk, compliance and pupil wellbeing provision.

• Why a registered nurse’s role in school goes well beyond first aid — and what NMC registration means in practice
• The non-negotiables for safe medicines management: administration, storage, documentation, training and oversight
• How to scope your nursing provision around your school’s needs — boarding/day, SEN, mental health, allergies, sport, controlled meds
• What “good governance” looks like on the ground: confidential records, appropriate clinical space, safeguarding integration, and clinical supervision
• Common pitfalls schools make — including mis-scoping the role, under-resourcing, and placing newly qualified nurses into unsupported lone-working posts
• A quick scan of this week’s headlines: KCSIE 2026 consultation, measles readiness, mobile phones and inspection focus from 01 Apr 2026, and Charities SORP 2026 basics

• ISBA Weekly Bulletin (19 Feb 2026) — key operational headlines
• ISBA Reference Library — infectious disease resources
• KCSIE 2026 draft consultation (England)
• DfE guidance: Mobile phones in schools
• UKHSA measles guidance and reporting routes
• Charities SORP 2026 overview and implementation considerations
• SAPHNA Independent School Nursing Governance Guidance (endorsed by the RCN) (as signposted in the episode)

ISBA Bursarcast

New episodes every Friday at 4pm.

Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Acast to stay informed on the latest in independent school operations.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast brings you a focused newsbeat on employment law timelines, payroll changes, smartphone policy research, inspection readiness and key sector deadlines—centred on what bursars and senior leaders need to know now.

We cover the delay to ‘fire and rehire’ reform under the Employment Rights Act 2025, the postponement of mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind, new research into the operational cost of smartphone policies, and the launch of ISBA’s new Bursar’s Guide to ISI Inspections.

This episode is designed for time-poor professionals who want clarity, context and practical next steps—without wading through technical notes and legislative updates.

• What the delayed implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025 means for contract variations and restructuring timelines
• How the postponement of mandatory payrolling for benefits in kind from HM Revenue & Customs affects payroll planning
• What new research from the University of Birmingham suggests about the time and cost of restrictive vs permissive smartphone policies
• How to use ISBA’s new Bursar’s Guide to ISI Inspections as a practical compliance tool
• What the forthcoming statutory allergy guidance means for senior leadership accountability
• Why now is the moment to review nursery sustainability in light of funded-hours pressures
• Key February deadlines and professional development opportunities

• Employment Rights Act 2025 — revised implementation timeline
• HMRC technical note on mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind
• University of Birmingham study on smartphone policy economics (BMJ Mental Health)
• ISBA Reference Library: The Bursar’s Guide to ISI Inspections

(Full details and links are available via the ISBA Weekly Bulletin and member resources.)

ISBA Bursarcast

New episodes every Friday at 4pm.

Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Acast to stay informed on the latest in independent school operations.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast brings you a rapid newsbeat on the latest operational and regulatory developments affecting independent schools—focused on what bursars and senior leaders need to know now.

We cover tightened expectations on mobile phone policies, forthcoming statutory allergy guidance, continued cyber-fraud risks, budget planning pressures for catering, and key ISBA deadlines and events, including the Annual Conference.

This episode is designed for time-poor professionals who want clarity, context and practical next steps—without wading through long documents.

• What the updated Department for Education guidance on mobile phones means in practice from April 2026
• How Ofsted will factor phone policies into behaviour judgements
• What’s coming in new statutory allergy guidance—and how schools should prepare now
• The scale of fee-payment scams highlighted by IRIS Education research
• Why catering budgets for 2026–27 need to plan for sustained inflation, based on Independent Schools Catering Consultancy benchmarks
• Why participation in ISBA’s Data Navigator benchmarking with Barnett Waddingham matters
• Key February and spring-term dates bursars shouldn’t miss

• DfE: Mobile phones in schools — updated guidance
• ISBA allergy policy template and webinar (4 March)
• IRIS Education: Protect your school – a practical approach to cybersecurity
• ISCC catering budget benchmarks for 2026–27
• ISBA Data Navigator (data entry deadline: 12 February 2026)
• ISBA Annual Conference 2026 — bookings open with early-bird rates
• Regional Group meetings and Newly Appointed Bursars programme

(Full links available via the ISBA Weekly Bulletin and member resources.)

ISBA Bursarcast

New episodes every Friday at 4pm.

Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Acast to stay informed on the latest in independent school operations.

Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO

www.rafikistudio.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.