Good Practice Library

Policy templates, guidance and factsheets for schools

The aim of the library is to develop, share and promote good practice whilst providing practical assistance to schools.

The ISBL Good Practice Library is organised according to our Professional Standards disciplines. If you feel you would like further training or to undertake a qualification in these disciplines, take a look at our qualifications and training pages.

This Good Practice Library started life in 2013 as a shared initiative between ISBL and the Education Funding and Skills Agency (ESFA). Following the DfE move to house all material on Gov.uk from 2019, this site is now being developed and maintained by ISBL in partnership with ISBL Fellows.

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 info@isbl.org.uk

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

Our toolkit for school business professionals provides tools and advice for your everyday use.

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)
Privacy Notice (Data Protection Policy Appendix 1a) (August 2019)
Privacy Notice for Staff (Data Protection Policy Appendix 1b) (August 2019)
Subject Access Request Form (Data Protection Policy Appendix 2) (August 2019)
Staff Data Breach Form (Data Protection Policy Appendix 3) (August 2019)
Staff Agreement (Data Protection Policy Appendix 4) (August 2019)
DPIA Guidance and Form (Data Protection Policy Appendix 5) (August 2019)
School Records Retention Schedule (Data Protection Policy Appendix 6) (August 2019)
MAT business continuity template

Finance

Academies should also consult the DfE's Academies Financial Handbook (2020). Our Professional Standards are also cited in the AFH (page 17).

Title

Model Cashflow Forecast (Reviewed 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)

Accounting Policies (August 2019)

Consultancy Policy (August 2019)

Investment Policy (August 2019)

Governor Allowances Policy (August 2019)

Risk Management Policy (August 2019)

Risk Management Strategy (August 2019)

Risk Reduction Plan (August 2019)

Procurement

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.

Title
School Contracts and SLA Tracker (NEW from August 2019)
Procurement and Tendering Policy (August 2019)

Infrastructure

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

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)

Human Resources

Title
Conducting an Effective Appraisal (2019 version)
Hints and Tips for Managing Conflict (2019 version)
Managing the Workforce factsheet (2019 version)

Marketing

Title
Engaging Parents and Stakeholders Effectively (February 2016)

ISBL Professional Clerking Programme

During 2018 ISBL worked with CIPFA and CST to design and develop the ISBL Professional Clerking Programme which consisted of 9 module workbooks. This programme was delivered to clerks, through a series of face-to-face sessions and private study, and came to an end in December 2020. Participants have ranged from new to longstanding clerks working in settings ranging from small local authority (LA) schools to large multi-academy trusts (MATs). Thirteen cohorts and 179 participants later, ISBL’s programme has seen 95% of those who responded to a survey in May 2020 said their skills and/or knowledge has improved.

Due to this excellent feedback from participants, ISBL has decided to make the workbooks available for all school business professionals (SBPs) and clerks.

The original programme provided funding by the DfE for participants to attend group training sessions and provided mentoring and feedback. This funding has come to an end and so we cannot offer mentoring or feedback. We are aware that the programme and materials have not been updated in 2021 but ISBL is confident that this these workbooks will be useful to the sector and the DfE has agreed that they can be made public.

Title

Handout sample minutes

Features of effective governance handout

Key policy areas handout

Impact assessment

Self review action plan

Self review letter to Head and Chair

Workbook 1 Implications of clerking

Workbook 2 Clerking in a MAT

Workbook 3 Information provider

Managing relationships

Workbook 4 Risk compliance

Workbook 5 Conflicts of interest