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As financial pressures across education continue to intensify, more and more schools are finding themselves approaching, or already in, deficit.

In this episode, Catherine Loake, Director of Business Services at HFL Education, is joined by Lisa Holroyd, Head of Academies Finance, to explore what school leaders can do when finances become unsustainable.

Together, they unpack the reality behind the “perfect storm” facing schools: rising costs, increasing SEND needs, falling pupil numbers, and shrinking funding. With many schools feeling they’ve already cut everything they can, this episode tackles the difficult question — what’s left to do?

Bite-sized listening for headteachers, CEOs, school business leaders and governors, the series helps leaders step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on the bigger picture, and explore practical ways to lead their organisations sustainably and strategically.

Host: Catherine Loake (Director of Business Services)

Guest: Lisa Holroyd (Head of Academies Finance)

Created by: Rachel Lodge, Paul Hayward, Biljana Miljkovic

Questions? Email podcast@hfleducation.org.

HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.