School’s Finance

Training Courses
We guide you to improve your financial skills, learn new techniques and effectively manage school finance requirements with confidence.

School’s Finance Training Courses Return to contents

My Finance - New Starter Training

The training is a one day course designed to help you to input and understand financial data in the SCC School Finance system. It will include the following:- Navigation through the system screens and transactions - Income Banking - Purchasing - Invoicing - Basic Reporting - This is a hands on training session where delegates will work through exercises in each subject area in a training version of the live system.

Date: 09/09/2026

Course code: FS-0926-T001

Time: 09:30 - 15:30

Venue: Entrust Riverway Centre, Stafford, ST16 3TH

Cost: £370

Booking your place: To book your place or find out more information, please visit SLA online and search for your course using the course code. Alternatively, please call us on 0333 300 1900 (option 3) or email us at enquiries@entrust-ed.co.uk

Bitesize: Academy Trust Handbook Key Requirements & Updates

This virtual bitesize course provides an overview of the key requirements and latest updates within the Academy Trust Handbook. Designed for academy leaders, governors, trustees, and finance staff, the course will help participants understand their responsibilities, remain compliant with regulatory expectations, and stay informed of important changes affecting governance, financial management, internal scrutiny, and accountability. The session offers a practical and accessible way to ensure your academy trust continues to meet statutory requirements and demonstrate effective stewardship of public funds.

Date: 15/09/2026

Course code: FS-0926-T003

Time: 13:30 - 13:45

Venue: Virtual Learning

Cost: £49

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Introduction to School Finance

Introduction to School Finance is a virtual bitesize course designed for school leaders, governors, administrators and anyone new to school finance. It provides a practical overview of budgeting, financial controls, governance, compliance and key financial processes within maintained schools. Delegates will gain the knowledge and confidence to support effective financial management, ensuring resources are used efficiently to deliver value for money and positive educational outcomes.

Maintained Schools

Date: 17/09/2026 | Course code: FS-0926-T005 | Time: 09:30 - 11:30 Venue: Virtual Learning | Cost: £149

Academy Schools

Date: 24/09/2026 | Course code: FS-0926-T004 | Time: 13:30 - 15:30 Venue: Virtual Learning | Cost: £159

Understanding & Using Access Budgeting

This half day, face to face course will provide an understanding of how to get the most from the Access Budgeting system.

Date: 22/09/2026

Course code: FS-0926-T002

Time: 09:30 - 12:30

Venue: Entrust Riverway Centre, Riverway, Stafford, ST16 3TH

Cost: £159

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Schools Budget Reporting

This full day course will provide an understanding of how to produce the schools BMR and how to reconcile to Access.

Date: 06/10/2026

Course code: FS-1026-T001

Time: 09:30 - 15:30

Venue: Entrust Riverway Centre, Riverway, Stafford, ST16 3TH

Cost: £279

Finance for Governors - Maintained Schools

School Finance for Governors is a virtual course designed for new and existing governors, providing a clear introduction to their financial responsibilities and role in effective school oversight. Participants will learn about budgeting, financial governance, accountability, risk management and statutory duties, helping them provide informed challenge and support while ensuring value for money and long-term financial sustainability.

Date: 15/10/2026

Course code: FS-1026-T002

Time: 18:30 - 19:45

Venue: Virtual learning

Cost: £49

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Bitesize: Payroll Reconciliation

Participants will learn how to review payroll reports, identify and investigate discrepancies, reconcile payroll transactions against budget and accounting records, and ensure payroll expenditure is correctly coded. The course also highlights common reconciliation issues and provides practical guidance to support accurate financial reporting, effective budget monitoring, and strong financial controls. By the end of the course, delegates will have a clear understanding of the payroll reconciliation process and the confidence to carry out routine reconciliations accurately and efficiently.

Capita Payroll

Date: 03/11/2026 | Course code: FS-1126-T003 | Time: 10:00 - 10:45 | Venue: Virtual Learning | Cost: £49

Stoke Payroll

Date: 12/11/2026 | Course code: FS-1126-T002 | Time: 14:00 - 14:45 | Venue: Virtual Learning | Cost: £49

School’s Finance Training Courses Return to contents

Finance for Trustees - Academy Schools

School Finance for Trustees is a virtual course designed for new and existing trustees, providing an introduction to their financial responsibilities and role in effective school oversight. Covering budgeting, governance, accountability, risk management and statutory duties, the course helps trustees understand financial reports, challenge school leaders appropriately, and support long-term financial sustainability and value for money.

Date: 20/10/2026

Course code: FS-1026-T003

Time: 18:30 - 19:45

Venue: Virtual Learning

Cost: £49

Bitesize: Understanding the Risk Register - Academy Schools

Participants will gain an understanding of how risks are identified, assessed, recorded, and monitored, as well as the importance of implementing appropriate controls and mitigation measures. The course explores common risks faced by academies, including financial, operational, governance, compliance, and reputational risks, and demonstrates how a well-maintained risk register can support informed decision-making and organisational resilience. By the end of the session, delegates will have a clear understanding of risk management principles and the confidence to contribute to the review and monitoring of their academy's risk register.

Date: 19/11/2026

Course code: FS-1126-T004

Time: 10:00 - 10:45

Venue: Virtual Learning

Cost: £49

Bitesize: Parentpay Reconciliation - Staffordshire Maintained Schools

ParentPay Reconciliation is a virtual bitesize course for school finance and administrative staff, covering the essentials of reconciling ParentPay transactions and maintaining accurate financial records. Participants will learn how to review reports, resolve discrepancies, allocate income correctly, and strengthen financial controls to support audit requirements and accurate reporting.

Date: 25/11/2026

Course code: FS-1126-T001

Time: 10:00 - 10:45

Venue: Virtual Learning

Cost: £49