Leading with Confidence: A CPD Series for School Business & Office Managers - Session 3 Financial Stewardship and Strategic Thinking

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 Financial Stewardship and Strategic Thinking

Facilitated by Hetal Parmar, Chief Financial and Operating Officer at The Mead Educational Trust (TMET), and Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC).

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.

Featuring guest input from Crescent Purchasing Consortium, 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.