Main Conference

Chair’s opening remarks

Keynote address: Understanding the increased importance of providing value for money in 21st Century Schools

• Considering what value for money really means for schools and its relationship to outcomes for children
• Understanding the imperative to secure efficiencies in order to maintain frontline services, particularly in more challenging financial times
• Exploring the options available to schools and local authorities to cut costs and work more efficiently
• Evaluating the opportunities partnership working presents to secure economy and efficiency

Question and answer session

Morning refreshments

Facilitated discussion: Evaluating approaches to efficient and economical procurement

• Understanding the potential savings to be found through improved procurement practices
• Making best use of the resources that are available to support schools and local authorities in improving procurement 
• Evaluating the options for collaborating with other schools to make better use of collective buying power and economies of scale 
• Practical strategies for making the most of electronic purchasing systems
• Building procurement capability and capacity in schools – What’s required?

Case study: Using OPEN (Online Procurement for Educational Needs) as part of our strategy to achieve economical and efficient procurement in East Sussex

• Understanding how we implemented OPEN and how it fits into our savings strategy
• What savings have we made and can we make, both in terms of staff time and money?
• Evaluating the potential offered by joint procurement

Question and answer session

Peer discussion: Shared learning points from the morning’s sessions

• What ideas and information will you take back with you?
• Do you have additional ideas you’d like to share? 

Lunch

Assessing Value for Money

• What inspectors look for
• The key criteria used by inspectors 
• How judgements are made 
• Links to self-evaluation and the SEF 
• Ofsted’s supporting guidance for section 5 inspections
  

Question and answer session

Panel Discussion: Exploring the potential offered by ICT to generate efficiencies

Your opportunity to question our panel on their vision for the role of ICT in delivering value for

• How can ICT be used more effectively to deliver savings in the back office?
• How can ICT resources be used more efficiently to derive learning benefits?
• What opportunities are there for sharing ICT resources across school groups? 
• What should school ICT provision look like in 5 years time?

Afternoon refreshments

Facilitated discussion: Practical strategies for saving more time and money

• Understanding the importance of benchmarking and making best use of available information
• Streamlining financial and administrative processes within schools
• Accessing support and consultancy, both locally and nationally
• Can working in partnership help you to deliver value for money?
• Assessing your potential to reduce carbon emissions while finding efficiencies

Question and answer session

Insider Interview: Exploring the increasingly crucial role of school business managers in helping to deliver all the steps discussed today

Two business managers will answer questions posed by the Chair and audience. Topics to be explored include:

• What does a business manager bring to a school, particularly a primary school?
• What direct and indirect efficiencies have been achieved through your work?
• How can you work most effectively with Headteachers and groups of Headteachers to secure value for money?
• What training and support is required for business managers?

Peer discussion: What ideas have you gathered today and how will you use them?

Closing remarks from the Chair