Good Practice Library

A good practice library of policy templates and guidance for schools

This area started life in 2013 as a shared initiative between ISBL and the Education Funding and Skills Agency (ESFA) to share templates, policy documents and guidance notes of a financial management nature with the aim of promoting consistency and compliance with the financial regulatory framework.

Following the DfE move to house all material on Gov.uk from 2019, this site will be solely developed and maintained by ISBL in partnership with its Policy Special Interest Group and ISBL Fellows.

The aim of the library is to develop and share good practice around the sector and to provide practical assistance to schools who may be in need of support, eg free schools and newly converted academies.

Sharing your resources and feedback

If you have any documents that you feel are relevant to school business good practice, or any feedback relating to the ISBL Good Practice Library, please email helen.wesson@isbl.org.uk

Leading Support Services

Title
Whistleblowing Policy (August 2019)
Gifts and Hospitality Policy (August 2019)
Data Protection Policy (NEW from August 2019)
Equality Policy (August 2019)
Governors visits (August 2019)
Health and Safety Policy (NEW from August 2019)

We also have a suite of health and safety factsheets which cover all areas of your school.

Finance

Title

Model Budget Forecast (uploaded August 2013, reviewed Summer 2016)

Risk Management Policy (uploaded May 2016)

Risk Management Strategy (reviewed May 2016)

Risk Reduction Plan (uploaded May 2016)

Risk Register Cover (uploaded May 2016)

Risk Register (reviewed May 2016)

Risk Management Example (uploaded May 2016)

Financial regulations manual inc. financial procedures (uploaded Summer 2016)

LA School Finance Policy template (NEW from August 2019)

Business Continuity Plan (August 2019)

Delegated Authority Template (August 2019)

Capital and Revenue Reserves Policy (August 2019)

Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy (August 2019)

Due diligence (MATs) (August 2019)

Internal control (August 2019)

Procurement

Title
School contracts and SLA tracker (NEW from August 2019)
Procurement and Tendering Policy (August 2019)

The Department for Education publishes guidance on Buying for Schools. This is non-statutory guidance for schools about buying practices and how to achieve better value for money. It also explains your obligations in relation to the basic rules of procurement when spending public money.

Infrastructure

Title
Vehicles Policy (August 2019)
Write- Off and Asset Disposal Policy (August 2019)
Good Estates Management - organisational self-assessment tool (housed with DfE permission)
Strategic Estates Management process map (housed with DfE permission)

The DfE also has a Good Estates Management tool page, which includes Top 10 estate checks for boards, required skills and knowledge which cites our Professional Standards (infrastructure), and tips to reduce energy and water use