ISBA BURSARCAST

ISBA BURSARCAST // New Year Outlook and How to Start and Scale Charitable Giving in Your School ft Clarity(5th December 2025)

In this episode, we are joined by two guests: Sue Roxby, ISBA Head of Advice & Guidance, to provide an overview of the sector and how the ISBA will support its members. Then, Angus Jones, CEO of Clarity, shares practical steps any independent school can take to start or strengthen a charitable giving programme. From setting up Gift Aid correctly to introducing legacy giving, we cover the must-haves, common pitfalls, and strategies that boost both income and impact.Topics CoveredWhy fundraising matters for financial resilience—even in smaller schoolsGift Aid explained: what’s required, how to claim, and how to communicate itGovernance essentials for bursars: policies, records, and ethical guardrailsHow to talk to parents about tax-efficient giving, without pressureLegacy giving and share donations: realistic strategies for schoolsWhat to do first, and what to avoidResources MentionedISBA Reference Library: Fundraising and Development sectionHMRC Guidance on Gift Aid Charity Commission Fundraising Guidance“Remember A Charity” legacy campaign – rememberacharity.org.ukFor more from Angus and Clarity https://www.clarityglobal.com/homepage Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ISBA BURSARCAST // From Payroll Scams to Strategic Insight: This Week’s Briefing (19th December 2025)

In this final briefing of 2025, we cover urgent and practical updates for independent school business leaders—starting with a fraud alert on a payroll scam targeting school offices. We also unpack new legal requirements for Companies House ID verification, share how you can benefit from ISBA’s enhanced benchmarking tool, and outline how to correct VAT return errors. Plus, inspection trends, conference highlights, and key training dates for the new year.What’s Inside:🛡 Fraud Alert – Payroll scam attempt flagged by a member school🧾 Companies House – New identity verification rules for directors📊 Data Navigator Relaunch – Benchmarking made better (and free for early birds)💷 Correcting VAT Errors – Don’t panic; here’s how to fix them🏫 ISI Inspections – Trends in non-compliance and how to prepare📅 Key Dates – Webinars in January and Finance Conference 2026🎄 Festive Sign-Off – A thank you from ISBA and a look ahead to 2026Useful Links:Verify your identity with Companies House – GOV.UKCorrecting VAT errors – GOV.UKFinance Conference 2026 – Book your placeKey Deadlines:🐦 Early Bird: Submit Data Navigator responses by 16 January 2026📊 Final deadline for Data Navigator: 12 February 2026Contact ISBA Advice & Guidance:📧 AdviceatISBA@theisba.org.ukSubscribe for Weekly Briefings:Stay updated with ISBA sector insights every Friday at 4pm. Available wherever you get your podcasts.Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ISBA BURSARCAST // Records, Reporting & Readiness – Your End-of-Term Checklist (12th December 2025)

In this episode, we cover critical end-of-term updates from ISBA Bulletin No. 27 — including new retention advice for recruitment records, UCAS contextual data for FSM-eligible pupils, and a renewed push to get schools participating in the Data Navigator benchmarking tool.We also unpack the latest guidance on VAT and early years funding, highlight the final call for the 2026 Tech Survey, and offer procurement insights for schools renewing energy contracts in 2026.This episode gives bursars, finance leads, and senior operational staff a clear, concise overview of what’s changing — and what steps to take before term ends.What You’ll LearnWhy schools should now retain unsuccessful applicant records for 12 monthsHow the FSM Contextual Data Service ensures disadvantaged pupils are recognised by UCASWhat the Data Navigator offers bursars — and why early submission unlocks premium featuresThe current energy price forecast — and how to time April/October 2026 renewalsWhy reception fees are subject to VAT but EY funding is exemptWhat ISI inspectors are asking about guardianship and homestay arrangementsKey Action PointsUpdate recruitment retention policies in line with the ACAS extensionEvaluate if any pupils qualify for FSM contextual UCAS support and register with BAA earlyBlock time for your team to upload data to the ISBA Data Navigator before 16 JanuaryShare the Technology Survey with relevant school staff before the Christmas breakRun a price discovery exercise if your school renews energy contracts in 2026Review your VAT invoicing practices for local authority EY fundingPrepare to evidence host family and guardianship vetting during inspectionsLinks & ResourcesISBA Reference Library – Recruitment & Data Retention (Login Required)FSM Contextual Data Service – Bursary Assessment AssociatesISBA Data Navigator Tool – Barnett WaddinghamMindful Energy – Energy Market UpdateISBA Reference Library – VAT & EY Funding (Login Required)HSE – Managing Drug and Alcohol MisuseCharity Commission – Hostile Environment GuidanceIndependent schools are entering a high-stakes period for compliance, planning and benchmarking. This episode helps you close the term well and start 2026 prepared.For personalised guidance, contact the ISBA Advice and Guidance team at adviceat@theisba.org.uk.Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ISBA BURSARCAST // What does the Independent School Sector value? ft Julie Robinson (5th December 2025)

Julie Robinson, CEO of the ISC joins us this week to unpack the latest pressures on the independent sector—from pupil number drops and VAT concerns to Autumn Budget implications and staffing risks.We touch on headline data, including a 3.6% fall in pupil numbers, and explore wider financial signals like rising staff costs and a new cap on pension-related NI relief.Also covered: changes to unfair dismissal law, SEND funding reform, and how schools are using partnerships to stay resilient in challenging conditions. Key Points3.6% pupil drop in 2024–25VAT impact on fees and demandBudget 2025: rising NLW, NI relief capUnfair dismissal: 6-month protection from 2026SEND reform on the horizonSector positivity via Partnerships WeekLinks mentionedISBA WebsiteISC WebsitePartnerships BookletEmail: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ISBA BURSARCAST // Inspection readiness, employment reform, and staffing risks—three critical areas that independent schools need to stay on top of. ( 28th November 2025)

In this episode, we unpack the latest inspection data from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), break down changes to the HR1 Form from 1 December 2025, and flag urgent implications of the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.With compliance rates falling and new legal restrictions coming into force from 2026, schools need to act now to maintain flexibility and meet statutory requirements.This episode gives bursars, HR leads, and senior staff a concise, practical update on what’s changing—and how to respond. What You’ll LearnWhy ISI compliance rates have dropped—and the two areas most schools are struggling withPractical steps to improve inspection readiness, based on real inspection findingsWhat’s changing with the HR1 Form from 1 December 2025—and how to prepareHow the Employment Rights Bill will restrict “fire and rehire” and casual staffing arrangementsWhy spring 2026 is a critical window for contractual changes before new rules apply Key Action PointsReview leadership oversight of safeguarding and attendance complianceUpdate safer recruitment checks and maintain a robust Single Central Record (SCR)Familiarise HR teams with the new HR1 Form process and prepare the required data in advancePlan staffing reviews now—consult early to retain flexibility ahead of October 2026Use the ISBA Advice & Guidance team to sense-check inspection readiness and staffing plans Links & ResourcesISBA Reference Library – Inspections and Compliance (Login Required)Gov.uk – HR1: Advance Notification of RedundanciesDfE – Working Together to Improve School Attendance (2024)HCR Law – Employment Law for SchoolsIndependent schools face tightening regulations and reduced employment flexibility. This episode outlines what’s coming—and what to do next.For full guidance, log in to the ISBA Reference Library or contact the Advice and Guidance team at adviceat@theisba.org.uk.Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.