We provide in-depth support for finance users, particularly academies using FMS, whose use of finance systems is generally far more extensive than maintained schools. We can also provide set up services for new academies that will enable them to fulfil all the reporting requirements of the EFA (Education Funding Agency).
The challenge
Schools reliance on financial information has never been greater. With real-term cuts in budgets, it is increasingly important to ensure that money is being well spent and that School Leaders and Governors are well supplied with sound financial information, particularly in Academies and Trusts.
The solution
It is so important that you make the most of the systems you have. Sometimes it’s assumed that the system you have can’t do something. This is rarely the case and our teams, who know the systems inside out, can explain how to do it. We also provide free quick audits of your FMS and office operations that will pinpoint what’s working well and what can be improved.
We also provide packages of support for new users spread throughout the year to take them through the full financial cycle, with events timed for when they are needed.
We provide in-depth support for finance users, particularly academies using FMS, whose use of finance systems is generally far more extensive than maintained schools. We can also provide set up services for new academies that will enable them to fulfil all the reporting requirements of the EFA (Education Funding Agency).
The ICT Service has been providing FMS support to Cambridgeshire schools for over 20 years and is accredited by Capita.
Many of our staff have worked in schools either as school business managers or office staff with qualifications such as DBSM, and we remain firmly focussed on the educational benefits of the use of ICT.
How our service works
We provide support on all aspects of school ICT as well as FMS and allied products such as Schoolcomms, Dinner Money and Agora. We provide a range of training delivery methods from the traditional ‘classroom’ groups and workshops to in-school consultancy and ‘remote tutor’ where we provide 1:1 training on your own data or systems.
We also run more general conferences, forums and other briefing events to help staff keep up to date with developments. We like to work with schools in groups where expertise is shared between schools, advisory teams where appropriate, and we aim to ensure all national and local agendas are met.
Our Service Desk (The Helpline) is staffed throughout the year from 8.00am to 5.00pm (4.30 Fridays).
Availability
All schools in Cambridgeshire, academies and single site schools outside Cambridgeshire. Maintained schools outside Cambridgeshire should enquire about using our FMS support service.
