How can schools improve collaboration with their local education authority?

Addressing some of the challenges that schools face with their local education authority

Building a strong relationship between a school and its local education authority is crucial for school-wide success. However, achieving this collaboration can be challenging. Let's explore some common hurdles schools might encounter:

• Communication gaps: A lack of clear communication channels can lead to misunderstandings between schools and LEAs.
• Differing priorities: While schools may be more focused on student performance, LEAs may be more focused on broader, district-wide goals like budget allocation.
• Skills gap: Schools may lack specialised skills in areas like finance and HR, making it difficult for them to implement new initiatives or effectively utilise resources offered by the LEA.
• Limited resources: Both LEAs and schools may face budgetary restraints, limiting their ability to invest in things like technology or training.
• Shifting landscape: The changing role of LEAs can create uncertainty for schools, meaning they may need time to adjust to new expectations and ways of working.
• Technology challenges: Incompatibility between school and LEA software systems can create data sharing difficulties, hindering collaboration.
• Reporting burdens: Each LEA has specific reporting requirements, which can create insufficient data reporting between schools and their LEA.

Technology as a bridge: bridging the skills gap and improving operational processes

One crucial area for schools and local education authorities to enhance their relationship is in the procurement of financial management software. In a recent conversation with Head Teacher, Bernie Cassidy, he highlighted a significant 'skills gap' in LEA-maintained schools, particularly when school leaders, lacking financial management experience, are responsible for the financial well-being of their schools.

As local education authorities grant schools more autonomy over software procurement, schools can choose modern, user-friendly systems instead of outdated, cumbersome ones. This shift can help bridge the skills gap by allowing schools to rely on sophisticated software to manage their budgeting processes.

This can save valuable time for school staff and ensures financial processes are accurate. To find out more about the 'skills gap' mentioned here, read our customer story - St. George's.

Challenges faced by local education authorities: A customer perspective

We recently sat down with Group Finance Manager of Liverpool City Council, Gary Burke, who shared his valuable experience in supporting schools to independently procure budgeting and finance software. In the customer story, he sheds light on some of the challenges faced by LEAs when promoting collaboration and technological advancements within schools.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Encouraging change: One of the biggest challenges Gary faced was encouraging schools to move away from the status quo. Schools often become comfortable with existing systems, even if they are outdated and inefficient. This can make them hesitant to adopt new technologies, even when presented with the potential benefits.
• Balancing deadlines and school needs: Gary highlights the pressure created by deadlines imposed by software providers. These deadlines can create a sense of urgency that may not align with the specific needs or budget constraints of individual schools. This pressure can make it difficult for schools to make well-informed decisions about new software solutions.
• Maximising budget management tools: Even after successful implementation of a new system, Gary observed a reluctance among some schools to fully utilise the budgeting tools available. This could be due to a lack of awareness of the system's features, or entrenched habits formed with past practices. This underutilisation highlights the importance of ongoing training and support to ensure schools can maximise the benefits of their investment.

Gary's experience highlights a need for LEAs to strike a balance between encouraging innovation, respecting school autonomy, and providing the necessary support to ensure schools can effectively utilise new technologies. Click the link to read the full customer story – Liverpool City Council.

Unique local authority reporting needs

Schools are sometimes hesitant to adopt new technology because it might not integrate with their local education authority's reporting requirements. If a new financial management system can't handle these specific reporting formats, it could create extra work for the school.

To address this concern, we recommend open communication with your LEA. Discuss their reporting needs with potential software vendors and inquire about vendors’ customised reporting features. Be aware that not all vendors can accommodate these unique needs. This could impact the reports you submit to your LEA.

To learn more about our bespoke reporting features, read our article  – Streamlining local authority reporting with Access Education Finance.

Top tips for schools to improve local education authority collaboration

Here's how you, as a school leader, can take the initiative to build a more collaborative and productive relationship with your LEA:

• Embrace innovation: Don't let familiarity hold you back. Explore modern software solutions that can address your school's financial management and HR needs. These tools can enhance processes, free up staff time, and improve accuracy.
• Maximise training and support: LEAs and software vendors often offer training programs to help you get the most out of new solutions. Take advantage of these resources to ensure your staff are comfortable and confident using the new technology.
• Don't go it alone: Post-implementation challenges are normal. Seek ongoing support from the software vendor to address any issues that arise and ensure a smooth transition.
• Bridge the skills gap: Be realistic about your staffing limitations. Technology can fill the gaps in areas like finance and HR, allowing your staff to focus on core educational priorities.
• Think future-proof: Invest in solutions that can grow with your school. Choose software that is scalable and adaptable to accommodate future enrollment changes or program expansions.
• Do your research: Don't settle for the first option you come across. Actively research and compare different software solutions to find the one that best fits your school's specific needs and budget.
• Understand LA reporting requirements: Familiarise yourself with the LEA's reporting formats to avoid last-minute struggles. Look for software solutions that offer centralised data storage, easy data extraction, and robust reporting tools specifically designed to handle LEA requirements.
• Seek expert help: Software vendors can be invaluable partners. Consult with them to ensure the chosen solution streamlines LA report generation and saves your staff valuable time.
• Stay connected: Maintain open communication with your LEA. This allows you to stay informed about local education authority priorities and available support programs that can benefit your school.

By following these tips and fostering a collaborative spirit, you can strengthen your partnership with the LEA and empower your school to achieve even greater success.

Top tips for local education authorities

Here are some key strategies to strengthen collaboration and empower schools within your district:

• Empower schools to take ownership: Encourage schools to critically assess their own needs and explore the benefits of modern financial management solutions. This fosters a sense of agency and helps schools identify areas where technology can optimise their operations.
• Offer flexible options: Recognise that "one size fits all" doesn't work in education. Provide a variety of software solutions or pre-approved frameworks to give schools flexibility in choosing the best fit for their specific context and budget.
• Forge strong partnerships with vendors: Collaboration is key. Partner with software vendors who understand the unique challenges schools face. This ensures training and support programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of your district's schools.
• Champion knowledge sharing: Create a platform for successful schools using new systems to mentor others and share best practices. This fosters a collaborative learning environment and empowers all schools to leverage technology effectively.
• Bridge the skills gap: Recognise the limitations some schools face due to a lack of specialised staff in areas like finance and HR. Offer resources or support programs to help schools develop internal capacity or highlight how technology can address these gaps.
• Promote future-proofing: Encourage schools to consider long-term needs when making decisions about resources and technology. This ensures the solutions they choose can adapt and grow alongside their evolving needs.

By implementing these strategies, LEAs can empower schools to thrive. Open communication, collaboration, and a focus on long-term success will ultimately benefit students throughout your district.

Conclusion

Communication, shared goals, and leveraging technology are key ingredients for a successful school-local education authority relationship. By building trust through clear and consistent dialogue, focusing on common objectives for student achievement, and utilising technology to bridge skills gaps and enhance processes, schools and LEAs can work effectively in partnership.

To learn more about our financial management software, visit – Budgets and finance software for LEA-maintained schools.