ISBA BURSARCAST

Welcome to ISBA Bursarcast , the podcast designed for everyone involved in the management of independent schools. Whether you work in finance, estates, HR, transport, or any other school leadership role , this podcast brings you the latest sector news, expert insights, and practical advice to support your work. Each Friday at 4 pm , we deliver in-depth conversations with sector professionals, industry experts, and ISBA members , keeping you informed on the issues that matter most to independent schools. Tune in for essential updates, best practices, and strategic insights to help your school thrive. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform and stay ahead of the curve with ISBA Bursarcast . The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO www.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='

ISBA BURSARCAST is a business podcast hosted by ISBA, with 234 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

ISBA hosts ISBA BURSARCAST, a business show with 234 episodes published.

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  Episode #76

  ISBA BURSARCAST // Can schools afford to not digitise? & Sector updates for August (31st July 2026)

  Jul 31, 202636 minS5

  Independent schools are under growing pressure to strengthen compliance, improve financial control and operate more efficiently. This episode of ISBA Bursarcast covers the latest operational developments for independent schools, including safeguarding updates, AI governance, attendance guidance, inspection changes and VAT considerations. Leo then speaks with Neil Cuffley of Royal Russell School and Ben Johnston from Alii about digitisation and automation in school finance. They discuss the sector’s reliance on manual processes, inconsistent purchase-order use, limited visibility and the pressure on small finance teams. Neil also shares Royal Russell’s experience of replacing paper-based systems with Ally to improve control, security and efficiency. The conversation makes clear that digital transformation is not just a software project. It depends on clear goals, strong leadership, good data, effective communication and changes in behaviour across the organisation. The episode also explores invoice fraud risk, process mapping and the need for schools to operate with greater commercial discipline in a more challenging financial environment. GUESTS: Neil Cuffley, Royal Russell School Ben Johnston, Alii Request a Demo | Alii Member note: This episode is designed as a short operational briefing. Fuller guidance, technical detail and member-only resources remain available through the original ISBA bulletin and linked materials. Subscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast. Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO www.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #75

  ISBA BURSARCAST // Rethinking International Teacher Retention ft Laura Mitchelson ( Veritas Wild) (24th July 2026)

  Jul 24, 202631 minS5

  In this special guest episode, we are joined by Laura Mitchelson from Veritas Wild to discuss teacher retention in international schools — and why the retention story often begins long before a teacher reaches the end of their first contract. Together, we explore the transition into a new school, a new country and, often, a new culture. The conversation looks at how early communication, practical preparation and the first few weeks after arrival can shape whether teachers feel confident, connected and likely to stay. For international schools, recruitment is only one part of the staffing challenge. Once an appointment has been made, the quality of the teacher’s early experience can have a lasting impact on morale, belonging and long-term commitment. Laura shares her perspective on the human side of relocation, highlighting why cultural adjustment is different for every individual and why schools should avoid treating induction as a purely administrative process. The episode considers what teachers most need before they arrive, how schools can reduce uncertainty, and why small details in the first few weeks can make a significant difference to how welcome and supported a new colleague feels. Key themes include: • Why retention begins before arrival • The role of clear and reassuring communication • How cultural adjustment varies from person to person • The importance of the first few weeks in-country • How schools can help teachers feel genuinely welcomed, not simply processed • The connection between belonging, confidence and long-term retention • Why transition support is a leadership and culture issue, not just an HR process This conversation is particularly relevant for heads, senior leaders, HR teams, recruitment leads and anyone involved in supporting international staff through relocation and induction. GUEST Laura Mitchelson Veritas Wild EPISODE FOCUS Teacher retention in international schools: communication, cultural adjustment and the first few weeks. LISTENER TAKEAWAYS By the end of the episode, listeners will understand: • Why early transition support matters for long-term retention • How communication before arrival can reduce uncertainty and build trust • Why schools need to recognise individual experiences of cultural adjustment • What makes the first few weeks so important for confidence and belonging • How international schools can take practical steps to improve the teacher transition experience Member note: This episode is designed as a short operational briefing. Fuller guidance, technical detail and member-only resources remain available through the original ISBA bulletin and linked materials. Subscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast. Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO www.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #74

  ISBA BURSARCAST // Inside the ISC Census: What the Data Means for Schools Ft. Julie Robinson and Dr Aidan Tolland (6th February 2026)

  Jul 17, 202617 minS5

  In this episode of The Bursarcast, we are joined by Julie Robinson, Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Council, and Dr Aidan Tolland, Head of Research and Data at the ISC, to discuss this year’s ISC Census. The conversation looks beyond headline pupil numbers to explore what the data tell us about the independent school sector, including trends in demand, bursaries and fee assistance, boarding, international pupils, affordability, and average fee increases. Julie and Aidan also discuss how ISC uses Census data in its conversations with government and policymakers, and what school leaders should be paying attention to over the next 12 months. For bursars, COOs, heads and senior leaders, the episode offers a practical look at how the Census can support strategic planning, financial modelling, governance discussion and wider sector engagement. Topics include pupil number trends, fee assistance, average fee increases, government engagement, political scrutiny and the key takeaways for senior operational leaders. Member note: This episode is designed as a short operational briefing. Fuller guidance, technical detail and member-only resources remain available through the original ISBA bulletin and linked materials. Subscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast. Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO www.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #73

  ISBA BURSARCAST //Images, Allergies and End-of-Term Priorities with Sue Roxby (10th July 2026)

  Jul 10, 202621 minS5

  In this week’s ISBA Bursarcast, we round up the key operational and regulatory issues for independent school leaders as the summer break approaches. The news cycle covers updated ISBA guidance on taking, storing and using images of children, including the growing risks around online image use, livestreaming, smart technology and consent. We also look at the Department for Education’s allergy safety guidance, which is not yet statutory for independent schools but signals an important direction of travel. Also in this episode: the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s consultation on draft technical guidance for schools; continuing financial pressure for schools and parents following the introduction of VAT on fees; and recent government updates on school security, estates, digital infrastructure and operational resilience. After the news roundup, we’re joined by Sue Roxby, Head of Advice and Guidance at ISBA, for an end-of-term conversation. Sue brings updates from ISBA, reflects on recent member priorities, and looks ahead to the issues schools may want to keep in view over the summer. Relevant for bursars, heads, COOs, HR leads, compliance teams, estates leaders and governors. TPS note - announcement was 1st July. For fuller guidance and member resources, ISBA members should refer to the Weekly Bulletin and the ISBA Reference Library. Relevant for: Heads, bursars, COOs, directors of finance and operations, HR leaders, compliance leads, estates teams, safeguarding-adjacent leaders and governors. Member note: This episode is designed as a short operational briefing. Fuller guidance, technical detail and member-only resources remain available through the original ISBA bulletin and linked materials. Subscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast. Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO www.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #72

  ISBA BURSARCAST // Pensions, Phones and Compliance Pressure (3rd July 2026)

  Jul 3, 20268 minS5

  This week’s ISBA Newsbeat looks at the operational issues school leaders need on their radar before the new academic year, including TPS changes, statutory mobile phone guidance, VAT year-end considerations, inspection readiness, building safety and changes to regulated activity for volunteers. In this episode: We cover the confirmed reduction in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contribution rate from April 2027, alongside the practical need for schools to register on the new TPS employer portal. We also look at the Department for Education’s statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools, which schools in England should begin following from September 2026, and what this means for policy, behaviour management, safeguarding and parent communication. For finance teams, the episode highlights why schools should approach their second VAT year-end adjustment carefully, rather than assuming last year’s methodology still fits. There is also a reminder on inspection readiness, including the value of reviewing ISI’s Regulatory Audit Document ahead of a possible inspection next term. On estates and compliance, we consider why building safety remains a governance and leadership issue, particularly for schools planning construction, refurbishment or remedial works. Finally, we flag the forthcoming removal of the supervision exemption for volunteers and the implications for safeguarding checks, safer recruitment and volunteer management. Leadership update: This episode also notes a change of leadership at ISBA, as Catherine Spencer OBE begins her tenure as Chief Executive and David Woodgate retires after ten years leading the Association. Relevant for: Heads, bursars, COOs, directors of finance and operations, HR leaders, compliance leads, estates teams, safeguarding-adjacent leaders and governors. Member note: This episode is designed as a short operational briefing. Fuller guidance, technical detail and member-only resources remain available through the original ISBA bulletin and linked materials. Subscribe & Follow New episodes every Friday at 4 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast. Email: podcast@theisba.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIO www.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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