ISBA
ISBA
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS’ BURSARS ASSOCIATION
The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA) is the only national association to represent school bursars and business managers of independent schools, providing them with the professional support they need to manage their schools successfully and provide a world class education to their pupils.
The association can trace its history back to the founding of the Public Schools Bursars’ Association which held its first general meeting on 26 April 1932 at the offices of Epsom College. Its name then changed to the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association in 1983.
The ISBA now has more than 1,100 independent school members, including international associate members, from smaller preparatory schools to larger and well-renowned senior schools, including both boarding and day schools. Although it is the school and not the bursar who becomes a member of the association, it is usually the bursar or equivalent who is the school’s nominated representative.
The association is one of the constituent members of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and also works closely with the other seven constituent associations of the ISC. It is represented on the ISC Governing Council and a number of ISC committees and is also often called on to represent the ISC at meetings with the Department for Education, Health & Safety Executive and Teachers’ Pensions providing advice on bursarial matters.
Full membership of the ISBA is open to schools who are members of one of the constituent associations in membership of the ISC. Associate membership is open to certain other schools/organisations which are recognised as educational charities.
Day-to-day the ISBA advises many different staff within a school’s senior management team including the bursar, finance director, chief operations officer, business manager, deputy or assistant with areas of responsibility encompassing accounting, financial management and reporting, risk management, regulatory compliance, facilities management, HR, technology, environmental sustainability, auxiliary services and more. As part of its range of support services the association offers schools:
• guidance and legislative briefings, and model policies to download from its online reference library;
• a comprehensive professional development programme covering finance, legal, HR, inspections and other key operational issues and tailored to suit staff at all levels;
• information, advice and networking opportunities at the ISBA Annual Conference (the 2024 conference will take place from 20 to 22 May 2024);
• a ‘Bursar’s Guide’ – providing the latest information on legislation affecting schools;
• termly copies of the ISBA’s magazine – The Bursar’s Review – and weekly and monthly e-bulletins covering the latest legal, financial and HR news and more;
• an online job vacancies page where schools can advertise any of their vacant bursary management roles for free.
The ISBA Board consists of the Chair of the Association, Neil Cufley, Director of Operations at Royal Russell School, and the bursars of between eight and 12 other leading independent schools.
The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association is a Registered Charity, number 1121757,
and a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number 6410037.
Chief Executive: Mr David Woodgate
Independent Schools’ Bursars Association
167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF