{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/68b04f352dd519b5b4708280/69c68e849b6be94a1aeb6b47?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"ISBA BURSARCAST //  What is the future of school marketing and admissions ft. School Scout + Inspections and Cyber risk updates (27th March 2026)","description":"<p>This week’s <strong>ISBA Bursarcast</strong> covers the operational issues UK independent schools need on their radar now, followed by a guest discussion on <strong>school marketing, admissions strategy and pupil recruitment</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>In this episode</h3><ul><li><strong>Inspection readiness:&nbsp;</strong>Mobile phone guidance</li><li>Restrictive interventions from <strong>1 April 2026</strong></li><li>Key implications for policy, training and oversight</li><li><strong>Companies House cyber risk:&nbsp;</strong>Why schools should check company records</li><li>Risks for governors, trustees and senior leaders</li><li><strong>VAT update:&nbsp;</strong>Final <strong>Bursar’s Guide to VAT</strong></li><li>PTA purchases and VAT recovery watchpoints</li><li><strong>Finance systems:&nbsp;</strong>Low satisfaction, weak reporting and integration issues</li><li>Why this matters for workload, control and decision-making</li><li><strong>DfE round-up:&nbsp;</strong>Data protection toolkit updates</li><li><strong>KCSIE</strong> consultation</li><li>Data retention linked to the Grooming Gangs Inquiry</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Guest discussion</h3><p>We speak to <strong>James</strong> about <strong>School Scout</strong> and what it says about the future of <strong>independent school marketing</strong>.</p><p>They explore:</p><ul><li>how families search for and compare schools</li><li>why location and travel time matter</li><li>what schools can learn from pre-inquiry behaviour</li><li>why insight and personalisation may matter more than bigger budgets</li><li>how AI could shape admissions and parent engagement</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Why it matters</h3><p>A practical episode for bursars, finance leads, operations teams and senior leaders focused on <strong>compliance, inspection, cyber awareness, systems, and smarter pupil recruitment</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><a href=\"https://www.theisba.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Resources mentioned</a></h3><p><br></p><p><strong>ISBA Reference Library</strong></p><p>Includes the final <strong>Bursar’s Guide to VAT</strong>, the updated <strong>Holiday/Summer Lets Agreement</strong>, recorded webinars, and member guidance materials.</p><p><strong>ISBA Advice and Guidance team</strong></p><p>For school-specific follow-up questions on the issues covered in the bulletin.</p><p><strong>Companies House guidance</strong></p><p>Includes the update on the <strong>WebFiling security issue</strong> and the closure of the <strong>online accounts and Company Tax Return service</strong> from <strong>31 March 2026</strong>.</p><p><strong>DfE guidance and consultations</strong></p><p>Including the updated <strong>data protection in schools toolkit</strong>, the <strong>Keeping Children Safe in Education</strong> consultation, and consultation on <strong>support for pupils with medical conditions</strong>.</p><p><strong>The Circuit</strong></p><p>National defibrillator database for checking whether a school’s defibrillator is visible to ambulance services and marked rescue ready.</p><p><strong>UKHSA and NHS meningitis information</strong></p><p>For schools and families following the <strong>Kent and Medway meningococcal disease outbreak</strong> updates.</p><p><strong>VWV article and guidance references</strong></p><p>Including the copyright infringement reminder and article on <strong>restrictive interventions</strong>.</p><p><strong>ISBA Annual Conference 2026</strong></p><p><strong>11–13 May 2026</strong>, ICC Wales.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>More from School Scout </strong>https://schoolscout.uk/</p><p>james.dobson@schoolscout.uk</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h2>Subscribe &amp; Follow</h2><p><strong>New episodes every Friday at 4pm</strong> on <strong>Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast</strong></p>","author_name":"ISBA"}