Trusted support to match your trust's ambitions 

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Specialist knowledge, unmatched networks

The Institute of School Business Leadership comprises education business experts, thought leaders, and subject matter experts, all with deep technical knowledge and an absolute commitment to improving outcomes for the children in our system. 

We know that trusts and indeed other collaborative structures face a range of significant challenges. So whether you’re looking for advice on how to grow your trust or federation, how to develop a highly effective central team, how to improve the capability of your people, or you simply want to gain a better understanding of your regulatory and compliance obligations, we are ready to help you.

Our range of services and resources is designed to help you navigate your way through these issues and includes:

  • support with growth plans and associated due diligence
  • assistance with the creation of a central team or improvements to existing central service arrangements
  • help with recruitment, retention and performance management 
  • oversight of sector-endorsed School Business Leader Professional Standards
  • articles and opinion pieces related to the evolving trust landscape
  • guidance to help you navigate the regulatory framework 
  • benchmarking toolkits – including guidance on the use and implementation of integrated curriculum and financial planning
  • sector research

In addition, we run a series of high-quality, sector-specific events that include contributions from leading education voices, change and innovation champions, captains of industry, ministers and officials.

Core benefits

Joining ISBL as a Trust Group gives you, your staff and your trustees access to numerous benefits, including:

  • Unlimited sign-up for all trust members (staff and trustees)
  • access to our range of resources including professional standards, continuing professional development (CPD), evaluation tool, career advice, guidance on regulatory requirements, benchmarking toolkits, capacity audits and more
  • support with recruitment, retention and performance management
  • access to weekly news and bi-monthly bulletin
  • access to our e-magazine, The Voice
  • the opportunity to participate in DfE working groups and wider consultation with the government – particularly in the areas of funding and financial assurance.

We also offer a consultancy support service that will provide members with access to leading sector experts, who will be available to provide free initial advice on trust operational matters including, but not limited to, planning for growth, due diligence, developing central teams, strategic financial planning, recruitment, retention and performance management, and people development.

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Why ISBL?

ISBL has an unrivalled network of subject matter experts, experienced school business leaders, trustees and patrons with first-hand experience in leading and growing a trust. You know you’re getting the best possible advice when it's being provided by expert practitioners that have successfully walked the path.

Your on-demand panel of experts

Need a question answered? Not a problem!

Our consultants have a wide range of expertise on live subjects such as how the academy programme is evolving, managing human resources at a strategic level, what makes a good central team, future-proofing your infrastructure, developing a robust marketing and communications strategy, making your school estate sustainable, and so on. 

All the information you need, right at your fingertips.

To find out more about our consultants and to request a free initial consultation, simply click here. You will need to identify which consultant you would like to engage with before completing your request form.