Leading with Confidence: A CPD Series for School Business & Office Managers - Session 3 Budget Management and Procurement

Leading with Confidence is a dynamic CPD series designed specifically for School Business Professionals and Office Managers who want to step confidently into their leadership role and make a visible impact across your school or trust. Often operating behind the scenes, your role is critical to the safe and successful running of schools - this programme puts you firmly at the centre of leadership development.

Sessions focus on real-world challenges, combining practical tools, practitioner insight, and peer collaboration to help you navigate complexity, manage compliance, and respond effectively to change.

This network provides a supportive space to connect, reflect and learn alongside colleagues, empowering you to lead with clarity and confidence.

Session 3 Budget Management and Procurement

Facilitated by Hetal Parmar, experienced independent consultant and ex-COO/CFO of a large MAT.

This session explores budgeting and financial planning as essential leadership skills, supporting you to lead with foresight and resourcefulness. You will develop a stronger understanding of budgeting and forecasting and examine how financial decisions directly influence whole-school strategy and sustainability.

The session will also focus on effective procurement and practical approaches to securing value for money. Through scenario planning and interactive activities, including a procurement challenge, you will apply learning to real-world contexts and leave better equipped to make confident, informed financial decisions under pressure.