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.

In this second part of our deep-dive with Jo Hall and Hayden Hibbert from allmanhall, we unpack how a detailed partnership with Royal Russell School led to measurable cost savings and operational improvements in their in-house catering.

This episode goes beyond theory—focusing on what bursars, finance leads, and catering managers can actually do to manage budgets, improve quality, and build long-term value through catering provision.

Plus, we round off the episode with this week’s ISBA news and insights.

• How to benchmark supplier pricing effectively
• The impact of inventory management tech like Saffron Control
• Practical examples of sustainability in school catering
• The strategic role of menu design and community feedback
• What key questions bursars should ask about catering performance and contracts

Resources mentioned:

• Foodsight magazine: https://issuu.com/allmanhall/docs/foodsight_-_independent_education_january_2026
• Hero Recipes: https://issuu.com/allmanhall/stacks/1739dd65f7af4aab8ec6e802ae9b3484
• Independent Education brochure: https://issuu.com/allmanhall/docs/digital_independent_education_4pp_2025-26
• Royal Russell case study: https://youtu.be/ou8Cb6L6u5s?si=PxHPE8w6SDq4GDEh
• allmanhall website: https://allmanhall.co.uk/

New episodes every Friday at 4pm. Follow 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.

“It’s less likely that this year will be a return to normal and more a year for managing persistent and underlying inflation using insights and an understanding of the food and commodity markets to plan both budgets and menus.”

In part one of this two-part conversation, Jo Hall and Hayden Hibbert from allmanhall join us to explore food procurement trends and inflation pressures facing independent schools in 2026.

We cover:

• Inflation outlook for food through to 2027
• Core drivers of cost
• Strategies for better menu planning and budgeting
• The role of plant-based and seasonal ingredients
• How catering quality links to student experience and retention

Plus:

Your monthly regulatory newsbeat—from the Employment Rights Act to restrictive interventions reporting, and key dates for spring term events.

Resources mentioned:

• Foodsight magazine: https://issuu.com/allmanhall/docs/foodsight_-_independent_education_january_2026
• Hero Recipes: https://issuu.com/allmanhall/stacks/1739dd65f7af4aab8ec6e802ae9b3484
• Independent Education brochure: https://issuu.com/allmanhall/docs/digital_independent_education_4pp_2025-26
• Royal Russell case study: https://youtu.be/ou8Cb6L6u5s?si=PxHPE8w6SDq4GDEh
• allmanhall website: https://allmanhall.co.uk/

Part 2 continues next week with more on supply chain dynamics, benchmarking catering performance, and practical tips for procurement.

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.

What happens when pupils are given a voice in the dining hall — and their feedback drives real change? In this episode, we speak with Patrick McDermott from DigiTally, Michelle Howard, Sustainability and Energy Officer at Woodhouse Grove School, and Kevin Grant, the school’s Head Chef.

Together, they explore how Woodhouse Grove took part in DigiTally’s Food Waste Challenge, using real-time pupil feedback to track what was left uneaten, identify what worked (and what didn’t), and make targeted changes to reduce waste and improve satisfaction.

This short, practical conversation covers:

• How feedback tools helped the school understand and cut food waste
• The role of student voice in shaping more effective menus
• Operational changes made by the catering team based on the data
• Financial and sustainability benefits already being realised
• The wider educational impact on pupils’ awareness of food and waste

Whether or not your school uses digital tracking, this episode offers a clear case study in how data and dialogue can help align catering, sustainability, and budget priorities — without adding complexity.

• Digitally Website
• ISBA Reference Library (Members only)

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.

In this episode, we are joined by two guests: Sue Roxby, ISBA Head of Advice & Guidance, to provide an overview of the sector and how the ISBA will support its members. Then, Angus Jones, CEO of Clarity, shares practical steps any independent school can take to start or strengthen a charitable giving programme. From setting up Gift Aid correctly to introducing legacy giving, we cover the must-haves, common pitfalls, and strategies that boost both income and impact.

• Why fundraising matters for financial resilience—even in smaller schools
• Gift Aid explained: what’s required, how to claim, and how to communicate it
• Governance essentials for bursars: policies, records, and ethical guardrails
• How to talk to parents about tax-efficient giving, without pressure
• Legacy giving and share donations: realistic strategies for schools
• What to do first, and what to avoid

• ISBA Reference Library: Fundraising and Development section
• HMRC Guidance on Gift Aid
• Charity Commission Fundraising Guidance
• “Remember A Charity” legacy campaign – rememberacharity.org.uk

For more from Angus and Clarity

www.clarityglobal.com/independent-schools-investment-management

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.

In this final briefing of 2025, we cover urgent and practical updates for independent school business leaders—starting with a fraud alert on a payroll scam targeting school offices. We also unpack new legal requirements for Companies House ID verification, share how you can benefit from ISBA’s enhanced benchmarking tool, and outline how to correct VAT return errors. Plus, inspection trends, conference highlights, and key training dates for the new year.

What’s Inside:

• 🛡 Fraud Alert – Payroll scam attempt flagged by a member school
• 🧾 Companies House – New identity verification rules for directors
• 📊 Data Navigator Relaunch – Benchmarking made better (and free for early birds)
• 💷 Correcting VAT Errors – Don’t panic; here’s how to fix them
• 🏫 ISI Inspections – Trends in non-compliance and how to prepare
• 📅 Key Dates – Webinars in January and Finance Conference 2026
• 🎄 Festive Sign-Off – A thank you from ISBA and a look ahead to 2026
• 
  

Useful Links:

• Verify your identity with Companies House – GOV.UK
• Correcting VAT errors – GOV.UK
• Finance Conference 2026 – Book your place

Key Deadlines:

• 🐦 Early Bird: Submit Data Navigator responses by 16 January 2026
• 📊 Final deadline for Data Navigator: 12 February 2026

Contact ISBA Advice & Guidance:

📧 [email protected]

Subscribe for Weekly Briefings:

Stay updated with ISBA sector insights every Friday at 4pm. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

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.

In this episode, we cover critical end-of-term updates from ISBA Bulletin No. 27 — including new retention advice for recruitment records, UCAS contextual data for FSM-eligible pupils, and a renewed push to get schools participating in the Data Navigator benchmarking tool.

We also unpack the latest guidance on VAT and early years funding, highlight the final call for the 2026 Tech Survey, and offer procurement insights for schools renewing energy contracts in 2026.

This episode gives bursars, finance leads, and senior operational staff a clear, concise overview of what’s changing — and what steps to take before term ends.

• Why schools should now retain unsuccessful applicant records for 12 months
• How the FSM Contextual Data Service ensures disadvantaged pupils are recognised by UCAS
• What the Data Navigator offers bursars — and why early submission unlocks premium features
• The current energy price forecast — and how to time April/October 2026 renewals
• Why reception fees are subject to VAT but EY funding is exempt
• What ISI inspectors are asking about guardianship and homestay arrangements

• Update recruitment retention policies in line with the ACAS extension
• Evaluate if any pupils qualify for FSM contextual UCAS support and register with BAA early
• Block time for your team to upload data to the ISBA Data Navigator before 16 January
• Share the Technology Survey with relevant school staff before the Christmas break
• Run a price discovery exercise if your school renews energy contracts in 2026
• Review your VAT invoicing practices for local authority EY funding
• Prepare to evidence host family and guardianship vetting during inspections

• ISBA Reference Library – Recruitment & Data Retention (Login Required)
• FSM Contextual Data Service – Bursary Assessment Associates
• ISBA Data Navigator Tool – Barnett Waddingham
• Mindful Energy – Energy Market Update
• ISBA Reference Library – VAT & EY Funding (Login Required)
• HSE – Managing Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Charity Commission – Hostile Environment Guidance

Independent schools are entering a high-stakes period for compliance, planning and benchmarking. This episode helps you close the term well and start 2026 prepared.

For personalised guidance, contact the ISBA Advice and Guidance team at [email protected].

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.

Julie Robinson, CEO of the ISC joins us this week to unpack the latest pressures on the independent sector—from pupil number drops and VAT concerns to Autumn Budget implications and staffing risks.

We touch on headline data, including a 3.6% fall in pupil numbers, and explore wider financial signals like rising staff costs and a new cap on pension-related NI relief.

Also covered: changes to unfair dismissal law, SEND funding reform, and how schools are using partnerships to stay resilient in challenging conditions.

• 3.6% pupil drop in 2024–25
• VAT impact on fees and demand
• Budget 2025: rising NLW, NI relief cap
• Unfair dismissal: 6-month protection from 2026
• SEND reform on the horizon
• Sector positivity via Partnerships Week

• ISBA Website
• ISC Website
• Partnerships Booklet

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.