Customer Story: Little Way Catholic Educational Trust
Building a financial future
Little Way Catholic Educational Trust, established in January 2024, is on a journey to bring together six individual schools—previously mostly LA-run, with one standalone academy—under a centralised framework. Kevin Parker, the CFO, is delighted to have Access Education's financial management solution driving this transformation. With its reliability and ease of use, Access is enabling the trust to align systems, streamline workload, and support informed decision-making across all levels, setting a strong foundation for future success.
Access Education Finance
Access Education Budgets
Multi-Academy Trust
Challenge
- Transitioning from six standalone schools, each with varied processes and systems, into a unified trust.
- Managing inconsistencies in financial procedures, permissions, and internal controls.
- Training staff with diverse levels of expertise while overcoming possible resistance to change.
Approach
- Implementing Access Education Finance and Budgets across the trust to streamline budgeting and financial management.
- Introducing policies and procedures to standardise processes and support staff at all schools.
- Leveraging Access’s intuitive interface, reporting capabilities, and cloud-based flexibility to foster collaboration and efficiency.
Results
- Improved financial visibility and control across the trust, laying the groundwork for a centralised system.
- Reduction in errors through robust permissions, scenario planning, and automated features.
- Greater flexibility for staff, thanks to cloud-based access enabling remote working.
Key takeaways
- Reliability and accuracy: “It just works. You can rely on it and know it’s right.”
- Ease of use: Staff appreciate the intuitive interface and accessibility of the system.
- Cloud-based flexibility: “Fully cloud-based, it allows family-friendly working and on-the-go access.”
- Scenario planning: Huge value of being able to easily model budget scenarios for better more informed decision making.
- Support and security: Access reduces human errors, it is secure, and the customer support team is excellent.
About Little Way Catholic Educational Trust
Little Way Catholic Educational Trust was formed to bring six schools together under one umbrella. Kevin Parker, CFO, joined from an established trust with centralised systems, bringing invaluable expertise to the newly-formed trust. Access Education Finance and Budgets became the trust’s solution for managing finance and budgeting, ensuring consistency and efficiency as they transition from fragmented systems.
A fresh start for Little Way Catholic Educational Trust
Established in January 2024, Little Way Catholic Educational Trust brought together six individual schools, mostly previously LA-run, with one standalone academy. These schools operated with diverse systems and processes, creating a patchwork of financial practices. For Kevin Parker, the newly appointed CFO, this presented a significant opportunity: to establish a centralised, efficient financial system that could support the trust’s vision for streamlined operations and informed decision-making.
Kevin, who joined the trust from an established multi-academy trust with centralised systems, knew the value of consistency. “At my previous trust, everything was seamless - the systems just worked,” he shares. “Coming into Little Way, I was confident that Access Education Finance and Budgets, which is what we used at my previous trust would give us the tools we needed to create that same level of efficiency here.”
Creating a unified approach with Access Edcuation
From the outset, Access Education Finance and Budgets became the cornerstone of Little Way’s financial transformation. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features allowed Kevin and his team to start laying the groundwork for consistent financial practices across all six schools.
The trust is using Access to streamline processes like permissions, purchase requisitions, and budget granularity. “Access makes it easy for our schools to follow the same procedures,” Kevin explains. “Whether it’s setting thresholds for approval or ensuring audit trails are clear, the system can do it. It reduces the risk of errors and builds confidence.”
One of the standout features for Kevin is Access’s scenario planning capabilities. “Budgeting is so much easier when you can create and compare multiple scenarios,” he says. “For example, I can model the financial impact of different teacher pay awards or a major project like a new library, all with just a few clicks. It’s a game-changer for both strategic planning and day-to-day management.”
Enhancing oversight and flexibility
For a growing trust like Little Way, having a cloud-based system is invaluable. The ability to access financial data from anywhere has transformed the way Kevin’s team works. “Being fully cloud-based means we can work flexibly, whether from home, on the go, or at one of the schools,” Kevin says. “It’s family-friendly and allows us to stay productive without being tied to a specific location.”
This flexibility also supports Kevin’s long-term goal of empowering individual schools while maintaining centralised oversight. “Each school can manage its day-to-day financial operations, but as a trust, we have full visibility of everything. This balance is critical for building trust and ensuring consistency.”
Time-saving automation and insights
Kevin has already noticed significant time savings through Access’s automated features, such as pay increment calculations and budget synchronisation. “Previously, we relied on spreadsheets and manual processes, which were time-consuming and prone to errors,” he recalls. “Now, tasks like salary calculations, permissions settings, and reporting are automated, freeing up our team to focus on higher-value work.”
The system’s robust reporting capabilities are another highlight. “The ability to generate detailed, customisable reports at the touch of a button is fantastic,” Kevin says. “It gives our headteachers and trustees the insights they need to make informed decisions quickly.”
Building for the future
Kevin’s ultimate goal is to bring Little Way to the same level of efficiency as his previous trust. “We’re still on a journey, but I can already see the potential,” he says. “Access has all the tools we need to create a seamless, unified system that reduces workload, improves oversight, and supports better decision-making.”
The introduction of the Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) module in early 2025 is another development Kevin is eagerly anticipating. “The ICFP tools will take our financial planning to the next level, allowing us to align spending with educational outcomes,” he explains. “It’s exactly what trusts need to manage their resources effectively.”
A foundation for growth
Access Education Finance and Budgets is not just helping Little Way Catholic Educational Trust solve today’s challenges; it’s laying the foundation for sustainable growth. As Kevin puts it, “Access gives us confidence. It’s intuitive, reliable, and secure - everything you need to manage a trust’s finances effectively. It’s exactly what we need”.
Why Little Way Recommends Access
Kevin highly recommends Access Finance and Budgets for trusts looking for an efficient, user-friendly solution.
- Intuitive interface with robust reporting and scenario planning.
- Cloud-based flexibility for modern, remote working.
- Secure system with reduced risk of errors.
- Excellent customer support and responsiveness.
About Access Education Finance and Budgets
The Access Education Financial Management solution combines the strengths of Access Education Budgets and Access Education Finance, offering a unified set of tools that help schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts (MATs) manage their finances with ease and precision.
Trusted by schools, academies, and trusts, Access Education Finance and Budgets offers an intuitive, cloud-based platform that simplifies financial management. With robust reporting, scenario planning, and a secure system, it empowers trusts to reduce workload and make informed decisions.