Encouraging progress on Windsor Boys' School financial management

Financial issues at Windsor Boys' School are being robustly addressed and encouraging progress is being made.

Approaching the end of the academic year the Royal Borough has underlined its determination to support the school in its work to restore effective management and governance, under the leadership of the new headmaster, Julian Clauson, and chair of governors, David Simpson.

Earlier this year the council commissioned accounting firm Deloitte to produce an independent report into the school's financial management. This included a review of a number of management and governance issues initially identified by the new headteacher and the council's own audit team.

Some enquiries are still ongoing but the new school management team has already put in place a number of financial process improvements.

The school's budget deficit has been reported at £400,000, part of which is the result of underachievement of income built into school plans, notably from the sponsored Skills Centre. The deficit is not a consequence of budget reductions made either by local or central government. In 2009/10 the school received £5.001m in grant, which rose to £5.332m in 2010/11.

Cllr Eileen Quick, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, welcomed the independent report and underlined the council's support for the new management team in its work to reduce the deficit.

She said: "There have been ongoing discussions between the school and council over the last couple of years about the emerging financial situation and considerable progress has been made. We will continue to support the headmaster and chair of governors as they take forward their robust efficiency and recovery plan.

"The school has an annual turnover in excess of £5m and we are confident that, given this businesslike approach, it will return to a balanced budget in three to four years."

Headmaster Julian Clauson, who joined the school in September 2010, said: "The report addresses issues which have affected the school in the past and the council's support at this time will help us move forward. I am fully confident that these measures will enable us to continue raising standards and the traditions of which we are rightly proud."

The report is available on the council's website.

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