Schools Finance

The West Berkshire Scheme for Financing Schools provides the framework for the financial relationship between the Local Authority and all schools maintained by the Authority in the management of delegated budgets, and is binding on both. The Scheme provides for the delegation of financial and managerial responsibility to Governing Bodies of schools and describes the regulations and conditions to which Governing Bodies should adhere, in order to remain accountable to the public and the Local Authority. You can view the latest version of the   Scheme for Financing Schools 2024 [835KB]  here.

Local authorities are required under Section 251 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to submit budget statements setting out their planned education spending before the beginning of each financial year. After the end of that financial year they are then required to prepare an outturn statement. These budget and outturn statements are available to view below (please note the Budget return for 2020-21 was cancelled due to Covid-19):

Section 251 Budget 2022-23 [18KB]

Section 251 Outturn 2021-22 [22KB]

Section 251 Budget 2021-22 [18KB]

Section 251 Outturn 2020-21 [22KB]

Section 251 Outturn 2019-20 [17KB]

Section 251 Budget 2019-20 [18KB]

Section 251 Outturn 2018-19 [22KB]

Section 251 Budget 2018-19 [18KB]

Section 251 Outturn 2017-18 [27KB]

Section 251 Budget 2017-18 [38KB]

Section 251 Outturn 2016-17 [23KB]

Section 251 Budget 2016-17 [69KB]

The Schools Finance team (also known as Schools Accountancy) provides maintained schools with expert, professional and timely support through a traded service. The team works primarily with finance staff in schools eg Finance Managers, School Business Managers and Finance Officers to ensure that they understand and manage their school's finances effectively. This support includes the provision of training to the most senior member of the finance team on all aspects of financial processing and management, finance staff recruitment support, statutory returns and reporting including the use of specific budgeting software. Schools are allocated a Lead Accountant which helps to foster the development of a valued and trusted relationship between individuals. The team works closely with the other West Berkshire teams that provide services to schools to ensure a joined up approach to practice and policy advice.