Bursar’s Review

3 @the_isba Summer 2022 Editorial Welcome to the Summer issue …from ISBA’s chief executive, David Woodgate. Bluett House,Unit 11-12,Manor Farm,Cliddesden, Basingstoke,Hampshire,RG25 2JB T: 01256 330369 E: office@theisba.org.uk W: www.theisba.org.uk @the_isba www.linkedin.com/company/independent-schools' - bursars-association/ COMPANY NO:6410037 REGISTERED CHARITY:1121757 CHAIR: Eleanor Sharman CHIEF EXECUTIVE: David Woodgate BSc (Hons) MBA FRSA EDITOR : Gillian Goode E: bursarsreview@theisba.org.uk PUBLISHER: Simon Moody PRODUCTION EDITOR: Nicky Rogers T: 01778 391128 E: nickyr@warnersgroup.co.uk EDITORIAL DESIGN: Dean Cole ADVERTISING DESIGN: Natalie Reynolds ADVERTISING MANAGER: Jayne Notley T: 01778 391189 E: jaynen@warnersgroup.co.uk ADVERTISING PRODUCTION: Natalie Reynolds E: productionc@warnersgroup.co.uk PRINTING: Warners Midlands Plc This publication is printed by Warners 01778 395111 PUBLISHING Warners Group Publications,The Maltings, West Street,Bourne,Lincs,PE10 9PH T: 01778 391000 The Bursar’s Review has been carefully prepared, but articles are published without responsibility on the part of the publishers or authors for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any view, information or advice included therein.Articles published in the Bursar’s Review do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association, nor can the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association, the publishers or authors accept any responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. David Woodgate Chief executive Global issues are once again dominating schools’ agendas as the dust settles from the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost of living and energy crises together with war in Europe are making daily headlines and the effects are being felt not only operationally for schools but also in their boardrooms as both short and long- term strategies are needing to be re-drawn. On page 16, Sam Coutinho explains the importance of governors and senior leadership focusing on managing risk well. Risks such as extreme weather, climate action failure, livelihood crises, mental health deterioration and cybersecurity failure need to be on schools’ radars, if they are not already. ISBA’s own chief operating officer, John Murphie, expands on this theme in his article on page 10 exploring the unpredictable nature of managing school finances in these challenging times of stagnant economic growth and rising rates of inflation. These, and many other key issues for schools, were discussed in some depth at our annual conference in Birmingham in May and, on page 60, you will be able to catch up on the main takeaways from our keynote and breakout sessions at the event. Thank you all for your feedback on the conference – one member said “the guest speakers and subject choices were inspired. It was the best conference in terms of consistent high standards and practical learning points”. Another has asked us to arrange for “jollier news for next year” – and as planning has already begun for Manchester 2023, we will bear this in mind! You’ll notice this issue of the Bursar’s Review includes our fourth supplement on sustainable schools. These supplements have been very well received by members and my thanks go to all the schools who have shared their stories of their sustainability journeys. If you’d like to go back and read parts one to three, please visit ISBA’s reference library where online copies can be found. Don’t forget ISBA has also recently published an operational net zero carbon guide for schools (document #2844 in the library) and this is an excellent resource wherever your school finds itself on the pathway. Wishing you all an enjoyable and well-deserved summer holiday.