Case study : of a business manager in a MAT
The Key for School Leaders
An Essential Guide to Academy Conversion
Working across a MAT : case studies
Case study : of a business manager in a MAT
Profile : Helena Walbrook , Business Manager , Synaptic Trust
Helena started working at the Synaptic Trust three years ago , holding responsibility across two schools for finance , premises and HR . Prior to her current role , Helena worked in fixed-term SBM finance roles for around three years , preceded by almost 10 years working in the corporate services department ( finance section ) at the National Audit Office .
Helena is based in one of the academies within the Synaptic Trust but she has an office in each , and where she previously visited once a week , now does so as and when required . In January 2015 , the trust took on , South Norwood Academy , and in September 2016 , Woodside School , meaning Helena now oversees 4 schools . There are also two children ’ s centres , based at Woodside and Forest Academy , and a nursery at Forest Academy . Funding for the children ’ s centres comes from the local authority ( LA ) ‘ Best Start ’ funding stream .
One aspect of Helena ’ s role involves the consolidation of accounts across the trust . Her job description is about to change considering the additional responsibility of the additional schools . Helena is looking for her role to become more strategic , and move away from operational functions . The trust is also looking for someone to support West Thornton in an SBM capacity , as well as a finance manager to support the assistant SBMs , as not all the assistant SBMs are financetrained . The finance manager would be linemanaged by Helena .
The trust structure means that each assistant SBM officially reports to their respective headteacher . There is a dotted line of responsibility across to Helena where there are aspects of the assistant SBM role which provide support at a trust level . For example , where Helena is responsible for the consolidation of accounts for the Education Funding Agency , the assistant SBMs provide the accounts for their school and pass these over to Helena . Helena is also responsible to the CEO , and is on the board of directors .
Outside of work , Helena is chair of the finance committee at an LA school in Merton .
The diagram on page 21 shows the structure of the trust Helena works for .
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