Creating Value in Schools | Sustainability | People, planet and resources

‘So if school business professionals are engaged and supported to adapt, I truly believe that the role can become more impactful, more strategic, and better recognised.’
Host Liz Worthen chats with award-winning CFO Benedicte Yue about thriving in a tough funding climate. From making smarter financial decisions to empowering your team, harnessing tech, and driving real community impact, Benedicte shares practical strategies and big-picture inspiration for school leaders who want to do more than just survive.
‘All these operational functions are really enablers to achieve wider goals and we should never lose sight of the North Star.’
For more ideas, inspiration and information, visit createvalueschools.com
#SustainableSchools

What’s the problem with free school meal funding? Where does your food come from, and where does it end up?
In this extract from our longer conversation, host Liz Worthen talks to school business leaders Emma Gray and Helen Burge talk about why food is high on the school agenda, with challenges around:
funding for and access to free school meals
rising catering costs
food miles and sustainability
the financial and environmental cost of food waste.
Top tip: whatever you do, do not put your food waste in the general waste bin!
Information and updates: createvalueschools.com
More about Helen Burge: buoyantimpact.co.uk 
More about Emma Gray: 1stpillar.co.uk 
#SustainableSchools
#Food

'Sometimes the smallest thing can be a game changer.'
School business leadership champions Emma Gray and Helen Burge join Liz Worthen for SBLs Unbound: a candid conversation on what’s surprised, challenged and inspired in schools this year. From budget stress and staff turnover to sustainability and school meals, they share tips to help SBLs thrive, not just survive.
No two schools are alike. Despite national policies, schools operate in wildly different ways. Don’t assume uniformity – sharing ideas across settings can reveal practical, low-effort wins.
Sustainability needs leadership. Sustainability won’t stick unless it’s championed from the top. The most successful schools treat it as core to their culture, not an add-on.
Free school meals = hidden budget pressure. Many schools are losing money per meal. Add food waste into the mix, and it’s a double hit. Talk to contractors, tweak menus, and get pupils involved.
Staff turnover isn’t always bad. Yes, retention matters – but so does opportunity. A culture that supports growth and movement helps attract and keep talent. Invest in training and use appraisals to grow leaders.
'If you're spending money to throw stuff away, that just seems crazy.'
Information and updates: createvalueschools.com
More about Helen Burge: buoyantimpact.co.uk 
More about Emma Gray: 1stpillar.co.uk 
#SustainableSchools

‘Booking a wellbeing day where staff get to choose a wellbeing activity is not going to solve the systemic issues when it comes to mental health and wellbeing, particularly for those individuals with protected characteristics.’
Education and mental health consultant Nicola Harvey shares practical tools and powerful insights to help schools tackle burnout, boost wellbeing and build inclusive environments.
Burnout is real – and everywhere. If you're constantly overwhelmed, it’s not “just tired” – it might be burnout. Learn the signs and take them seriously.
Representation matters. Staff and students from global majority backgrounds face added pressures due to racism, lack of diversity, and microaggressions.
PERMA and rest are powerful tools. Use models like PERMA and the 7 types of rest to build emotional resilience and wellbeing.
Train, talk, and take stock. Mental Health First Aid, anti-racism training, and reflective practices aren’t just nice extras.
#sustainableworkinginschools #wellbeing #mentalhealth
Find out more about Nicola Harvey's work: harveyheals.com
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Education and mental health consultant Nicola Harvey explains the PERMA model. Developed by Martin Seligman, it’s a positive psychology model, and a tool for reflecting on different aspects of our wellness. Useful for both staff and students!
P = positive emotion
E = engagement
R = relationships
M = meaning
A = accomplishment
Full episode with Nicola coming soon, where we talk about staff burnout. What it is, why it’s prevalent in schools, and how to try and stop it happening.
Find out more about Nicola Harvey's work: www.harveyheals.com 
Sign up for updates: createvalueschools.com/subscribe
#sustainableworkinginschools #wellbeing #mentalhealth

‘We need to take the pressure off.’
Chair of governors and experienced educator John Viner talks candidly about pressure points and retention challenges, along with creative solutions to attract and keep talent in our schools.
The teacher shortage is real and worsening, with multiple pressures driving people away.
Be kind: school leaders need to create supportive environments where teachers feel valued and believed in.
Get creative with recruitment routes: don't just look for traditional graduates.
Governor recruitment needs fresh thinking too: ditch the endless committee meetings, tap into local networks, and remember you don't need education experts.
More from the Creating Value in Schools blog. 

‘You never know what’s out there until you try.’ 
Justin Smith, specialist in marketing and income generation support for schools, shares lessons learned on the path to fundraising and shows why relationships matter.
Culture and leadership matter. If school leaders and governors are on board, everything else becomes easier.
Cash isn’t the only win. Income generation includes donations, partnerships, skills, volunteer time – even equipment loans.
It’s all about relationships. People give when they care. Build connections, understand motivations, and let others feel part of the school’s success story.
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'So if you're not listening, then you know, what are you doing?'
How do you drive real change in schools through DEI? Aldaine Wynter, Director of International-Mindedness, Diversity and Inclusion, shares his journey, strategies, and the impact of meaningful community engagement.
Suggestions from Aldaine
Start by listening. Before diving into big initiatives, take time to understand your school community’s needs. 
Make DEI part of the culture. Whether it’s curriculum audits, book clubs, or community spotlights, integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into school life, not just one-off events.
Use data to drive change. Surveys and evaluations help track progress and inform strategy. Combine hard data with personal conversations to ensure meaningful, lasting impact.
Be adaptable and persistent. Different schools and communities require different approaches. You might meet resistance, but find ways to connect the work to what matters most to each person.
More from the Creating Value in Schools blog

'It’s about developing a relationship, it's about developing somebody's work, it's about the truth.'
Do you dread tough conversations? Nickii Messer shares how to reframe them as ‘honest conversations’, build trust, and keep a focus on what matters – the life chances and wellbeing of children in the school. 
Top tips from Nickii:
Avoidance makes it worse
Listen to understand, not just to fix
Believe in yourself and take action.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog

Give people an experience that they genuinely enjoy, so they want to stick around.
What keeps people in the teaching profession? Headteachers Josephine Smith and Carl Smith discuss staying power, joy and why retention matters.
Finding joy in the job keeps people in education long-term.
Staying power comes from feeling like you’re doing well and making a difference.
Stay curious. Keep reading and engaging with education.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog