Unbound SBLs: Reconsidering Risk

‘One of the dangers is that we think it's a risk assessment and that it's only a paper exercise. And actually if you fall into that trap, you are missing out on the opportunity to navigate the organisation in a structured and considered way.’

Host Liz Worthen gets together with school business leadership champions Helen Burge and Emma Gray to talk about all things risk. Why does risk matter? Whose responsibility is it? Is it a tickbox at the end of your meeting agenda, or something more meaningful?

We discuss:

• Risk as a proactive starting point for planning – not a reactive response. 
• The roles of leaders and governors in strategic risk management.
• The types of risk affecting schools and trusts currently. 
• The impact on pupils and the community if you don’t address risk. 
• Lines of defence – the role of internal scrutiny and the schools financial value standard (SFVS).
• Support for school business leaders with Risky Business events. 

‘It's the community and the pupils that will suffer if you don't look at risk or if you don't have those strategic plans.’

Emma Gray and Helen Burge have both been executive business leaders in trusts, and now support school business professionals through coaching, training and consultancy. Emma is a DfE accredited school resource management advisor, and Helen co-chairs the UK Schools Sustainability Network Operations Group. They are fans of risk management, internal scrutiny and operational excellence. 

Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities.

• Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/
• Schools financial value standard (SFVS) checklist and guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-financial-value-standard
• Risky Business Manchester, 19 March 2026, 9am-12pm: https://shorturl.at/M7B9T
• Upcoming Risky Business Events:
  • Launceston, 22 April 2026
  • Leeds, 21 May 2026
  • Isle of Wight, 17 September 2026
• SBL Retreat 2026: Reflect, Restore & Reconnect: https://shorturl.at/Asy1p
• Diploma for School Business Managers: https://www.isbl.org.uk/level-4-ilm-diploma-for-school-business-managers
• Contact Emma Gray: 1stpillar.co.uk
• Contact Helen Burge: buoyantimpact.co.uk
• Browse the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools
• Top tips summary: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/top-tips-for-rethinking-risk/ 

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