ISBA BURSARCAST

This week’s Bursarcast focuses on safeguarding, security, complaints, estates compliance and end-of-year operational readiness for independent schools.We cover the DfE consultation on the new information-sharing duty under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, including the potential implications for safeguarding practice, policy, training, local partnership working, record-keeping and professional judgement.We also flag the Home Office’s statutory guidance on Martyn’s Law, now the main source of information on requirements for premises in scope. Education-specific guidance from the DfE is still awaited, and the law is not expected to come into force until spring 2027.For schools managing parental complaints, we look at the growing use of AI-generated correspondence, including the risk of longer, more legalistic and sometimes inaccurate complaints. The episode highlights the importance of proportionate processes, clear communication boundaries and inspection-ready complaints handling.The end-of-year checklist is another major theme, with finance, payroll, HR and compliance tasks now coming into sharp focus. We cover charity reporting, P11Ds, PAYE Settlement Agreements, audit planning, budget finalisation, payroll updates, National Minimum Wage and mileage-rate checks, SORP preparation, VAT, employment contracts, staff accommodation documents, SCR checks, policy review and strategic risk-register updates.We also look at inspection readiness on water supplies, including drinking water, scalding risk, washing facilities, legionella risk assessments, flushing records, temperature monitoring and maintenance evidence.Digital risk features too, with the launch of the DfE Cyber Security Hub and ISBA’s updated guidance on parent WhatsApp groups, covering data protection, reputation, safeguarding and parent communications.A focused update for bursars, heads, governors, COOs, DSLs, HR leads, estates teams and compliance leads preparing for the final weeks of term and the start of the next academic year.Resources Mentioned DfE consultation on the information-sharing duty under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act — available via GOV.UK Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 — available via GOV.UK Home Office statutory guidance on Martyn’s Law / Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — available via GOV.UK Security Industry Authority consultation on Martyn’s Law regulatory guidance — available via GOV.UK Stone King guidance on AI and parental complaints — referenced in the ISBA bulletin ParentKind guidance on effective complaint resolution and AI use — available via ParentKind ISBA end-of-academic-year advice and guidance checklist — available in the ISBA bulletin and member resources Charity Commission annual return and accounts filing services — available via GOV.UK Charity Commission for Northern Ireland annual reporting guidance — available via CCNI OSCR annual reporting guidance — available via OSCR HMRC P11D and P11D(b) guidance — available via GOV.UK HMRC PAYE Settlement Agreement guidance — available via GOV.UK ISBA template employment contracts — available in the ISBA Reference Library ISBA staff accommodation contracts — available in the ISBA Reference Library ISBA Bursar’s Guide to ISI Inspection — available in the ISBA Reference Library HSE guidance on Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease — available via HSE Standards for school premises — available via GOV.UK ISBA Approach to Parent WhatsApp Groups guidance — available in the ISBA Reference Library DfE Cyber Security Hub for schools — available via GOV.UK DfE AI support materials for schools and colleges — available via GOV.UK Chartered College of Teaching AI case studies and research articles — available via the Chartered College of TeachingSubscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

This week’s Bursarcast focuses on the compliance, safeguarding, staffing and financial governance developments most likely to affect independent school operations.We cover the EHRC’s draft updated Code of Practice, now presented to Parliament, and the connected safeguarding and equality implications for schools as they monitor proposed KCSIE updates on pupils questioning their gender.We also flag safeguarding policy readiness following the updated Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, including the importance of keeping policy references current and ensuring school practice matches published procedures.For schools providing staff accommodation, we note ISBA’s updated assured periodic tenancy and prior notice of grounds templates, linked to the Renters’ Rights Act. The episode also covers updated reserves and investment policy guidance, HMRC’s approved mileage rates from 6 April 2026, and warnings about business rates agents and cold calling.Digital risk is another theme this week, with practical issues around smart glasses, image capture, acceptable use, exams, visitors and reasonable adjustments. We also look at the wider debate on social media access for under-16s and the direction of travel on mobile phone policy scrutiny.We highlight two senior recruitment opportunities: bursar roles at The King’s Bruton Foundation and Dover College.A focused update for bursars, heads, governors, COOs and senior teams tracking the issues that could shape compliance, safeguarding, staffing, finance, property and operational risk planning.Resources MentionedEHRC draft updated Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations — available via GOV.UK KCSIE 2026 proposed revisions — available via GOV.UK ISBA webinar: KCSIE on gender questioning pupils – a new statutory safeguarding lens Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 — available via GOV.UK ISBA safeguarding policy template amendments — available in the ISBA Reference Library National Minimum Standards for Boarding — available via GOV.UK Independent School Standards Guidance — available via GOV.UK Digital and technology standards in schools and colleges — available via GOV.UK Children Missing Education guidance — available via GOV.UK ISBA updated assured periodic tenancy agreement and prior notice of grounds templates — available in the ISBA Reference Library ISBA Reserves and Investment Policy Template and Guidance — available in the ISBA Reference Library HMRC travel mileage and fuel rates and allowances — available via GOV.UK Valuation Office Agency guidance on choosing a business rates agent — available via GOV.UK HSE workplace temperature guidance and checklist — available via HSE DfE hot weather and heatwaves guidance for schools and education settings — available via GOV.UK Government consultation and policy material on children’s use of social media — available via GOV.UK ISI consultations on inspection complaints and significant strengths — available via ISI DfE call for evidence on antisemitism in schools and colleges — available via GOV.UK ISBA recruitment: Bursar at The King’s Bruton Foundation ISBA recruitment: Bursar at Dover CollegeSubscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

This week’s Bursarcast focuses on the compliance, safeguarding and financial planning developments most likely to affect independent school operations.We cover the new data protection complaints duty under the Data Use and Access Act, fresh guidance on protecting images of children from AI manipulation and abuse, and the latest pensions watchpoint following confirmation of the SCAPE discount rate at CPI plus 2%.We also flag practical inspection-readiness advice on keeping a live log, key policy signals from the King’s Speech, live consultations on children’s use of social media and antisemitism, and DfE updates on AI in education, flu vaccination planning, online misogyny resources and an urgent asbestos-related product safety alert.A focused update for bursars, heads, governors, COOs and senior teams tracking the issues that could shape compliance, safeguarding, finance and operational risk planning.Resources MentionedISBA Annual Conference 2026 presentation slides — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryProtecting images of children from AI manipulation and abuse guidance — available via the UK Online Harms Early Warning Working GroupISBA Taking, Storing and Using Images of Children Policy — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryICO guidance on data protection complaints — available via the ICOISBA data protection complaints guidance note and template complaints form — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryISBA external privacy notice template and updated Data Protection Policy — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryGovernment consultation: Growing up in the online world — available via GOV.UKDfE call for evidence: Tackling antisemitism in schools and colleges — available via GOV.UKDfE updated guidance on supporting immunisation programmes for children and young people — available via GOV.UKOPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls page — available via GOV.UKDfE AI in education support materials — available via GOV.UKUpdated National Minimum Standards for boarding schools and residential special schools — available via GOV.UKSubscribe & FollowNew episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

This week’s Bursarcast focuses on the developments most likely to affect school operations, governance and risk planning.We cover the proposed ISBA and AGBIS merger, ISC’s governance changes, early preparation for Charities SORP 2026, and continuing inspection risk around attendance and compliance evidence.We also flag live ISI consultations, VAT treatment of sponsorship, Canvas/Instructure cyber reports, and a reminder for schools with vehicle operator licences to keep contact details up to date.A focused update for bursars, heads, governors and senior teams tracking the issues that could shape compliance, finance and operational decision-making.Resources MentionedISBA/AGBIS merger webinar recording — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryCharities SORP 2026 Preparation Checklist — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryISBA School Attendance Policy template — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryISBA Attendance FAQs — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryISI consultations on complaints policy and removal of “significant strength” — available in the latest bulletinHMRC VAT Notice 701/41: Sponsorship — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-notice-70141-sponsorshipManage your vehicle operator licence / VOL account — https://www.gov.uk/manage-vehicle-operator-licenceISBA The Bursar’s Guide to ISI Inspections, Appendix 1 — available in the ISBA Reference LibrarySubscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

In this episode of ISBA Bursarcast, we begin with the latest operational updates for independent school leaders, including new holiday record-keeping duties under the Employment Rights Act 2025, future employment reforms expected in 2027, HMRC payroll changes, inspection readiness reminders and recent updates from the DfE and Charity Commission.We then turn to the wider risk environment facing independent schools.Ian Morgan and Laura Armstrong from Assured Partners ( Gallagher) discuss how schools are managing a more complex landscape shaped by inflation, fee sensitivity, wage growth, demographic change, technology, cyber threats, digital safeguarding and increased political and regulatory scrutiny.They explore the impact of VAT-linked pupil departures, financial strain across the sector, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, international boarding pressures, estates risk, underinsurance, business continuity planning and more forensic inspection expectations.The conversation also looks at the rising importance of leadership resilience — including preparedness, clear escalation routes, transparent communication, strong governance and reducing over-reliance on individuals.In this episode:Employment Rights Act 2025: holiday record-keeping duties from 6 April 2026Planning ahead for 2027 employment law changesHMRC updates, including SSP, parental leave and P11D reportingInspection readiness: written agreements for over-16s living on siteDfE updates on medical conditions, allergies, antisemitism and SEND reformCharity Commission updates on online safety and conflicts of interestThe changing risk profile for independent schoolsVAT, fee sensitivity and pupil movementCyber risk, AI, digital safeguarding and insurance readinessEstates risk, commercial use of facilities and underinsuranceBusiness continuity, governance and leadership resilienceGuestsLaura Armstrong is a specialist in working with global school groups, independent schools, universities and multi-academy trusts. She has 17 years of experience in the insurance and risk management industry, with strong relationships across the education insurance market. She leads on insurer negotiations, advises on bespoke insurance programmes and structures, and highlights emerging risks for the education sector.Ian Morgan is Risk Services Director at Assured Partners. Chartered since 2012, Ian has worked across the education sector for more than 15 years and as a consultant for eight years, mainly with independent schools and charities. He is a fire risk assessor and leads a team of consultants across the UK.More from them here Useful links and remindersISBA members can find further details on the weekly bulletin items, including employment guidance, inspection resources and professional development opportunities, through the ISBA website and reference library.The ISBA Annual Conference 2026 takes place from 11 to 13 May at ICC Wales.

This week’s ISBA Bursarcast asks a timely operational question for schools: how secure is the journey between a parent receiving a fee request and the school actually receiving the money?Peter Othen, Director of IT at Magdalen College School, and Simon Freeman, Managing Director of Education at iSAMS, join us to discuss the risks around fee collection, parent payment scams and the wider cyber challenges facing independent schools.The conversation looks beyond technical systems alone. We explore how fraudsters exploit trust, why parent communications are part of cyber resilience, and how schools can think more strategically about future-proofing their IT infrastructure.Alongside the feature, we deliver a condensed newsbeat from the latest ISBA bulletin, including: residential tenancy changes from 1 May 2026, updated safeguarding expectations under Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, the SEND reform consultation, mobile phone expectations and inspection readiness, and new data protection complaints requirements from 19 June 2026.What You’ll Learn Why fee collection is becoming a more prominent cyber-risk issue for schools How parents can be targeted by scammers posing as schools or payment providers Why cyber resilience is about communication, trust and process, not just technology What senior leaders should understand about future-proofing school IT systems Why finance, IT and communications teams need to work closely on payment journeys How cyber incidents can create operational, reputational and data protection risk This week’s key operational headlines from the ISBA bulletinResources Mentioned ISBA Reference Library ISBA guidance on residential tenancies and staff accommodation Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 ISC SEND reform questionnaire and government consultation DfE guidance on mobile phones in schools ISBA GDPR and data protection complaints guidance iSAMSMore from iSAMSSubscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.