--- title: "Resources - Blog" description: "Read the latest blogs from Keystone Knowledge" url: "https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog" date: "2026-05-23T18:25:30+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- [ Categories ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories "Categories") [ Tags ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/tags "Tags") [ Authors ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger "Authors") [ Archives ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/archive "Archives") [ Categories: All Categories ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0); "Categories") Search...Suggested keywords [ x ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ ![School payroll](https://keystoneknowledge.com/images/easyblog_articles/198/b2ap3_large_27.png) ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-payroll-problems-schools-dont-talk-about) [ ![Keystone Knowledge](https://keystoneknowledge.com/images/easyblog_avatar/924_keystone-knowledge-blog.png) ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/keystone) ## [The Payroll Problems Schools Don't Talk About](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-payroll-problems-schools-dont-talk-about) [ Keystone Knowledge ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/keystone) [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) Friday, 01 May 2026 Payroll in schools is expected to be straightforward: staff are paid correctly, on time, every time. But in reality, it's one of the most complex and high-risk administrative functions in education - and one many schools quietly struggle to... [Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-payroll-problems-schools-dont-talk-about) [ ![engaging-a-consultant](https://keystoneknowledge.com/images/easyblog_articles/67/b2ap3_large_engaging-a-consultant.png) ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/should-you-engage-a-school-consultant) [ ![Keystone Knowledge](https://keystoneknowledge.com/images/easyblog_avatar/924_keystone-knowledge-blog.png) ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/keystone) ## [Should you engage a school consultant?](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/should-you-engage-a-school-consultant) [ Keystone Knowledge ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/keystone) [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) Wednesday, 05 October 2022 From caretakers to CEOs, schools are full of incredible people who feel a commitment to help educate the minds of the future. One of the common themes of people who work in schools is that we all want to be the best that we can be. Whether that's hav... [Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/should-you-engage-a-school-consultant) [ ![Acronyms in School Business Leadership](https://keystoneknowledge.com/images/easyblog_articles/17/b2ap3_large_Acronym-Blog-Image.png) ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/acronyms-in-school-business-management) [ ![Keystone Knowledge](https://keystoneknowledge.com/images/easyblog_avatar/924_keystone-knowledge-blog.png) ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/keystone) ## [Acronyms in School Business Management](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/acronyms-in-school-business-management) [ Keystone Knowledge ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/keystone) [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) Monday, 13 December 2021 Keystone has recently taken on a new marketing executive who has come from outside of education. The first thing she said was, "It's amazing how many acronyms there are. It's like you're talking another language made entirely out of letters!" Schools... [Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/acronyms-in-school-business-management) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/school-growth-challenges) ## [Processes that worked at 3 schools don’t always work at 15](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/school-growth-challenges) Why growth changes the operational demands behind multi-academy trusts Growth does not just increase the number of schools within a trust. It changes the operational demands behind how those schools work together day to day.What once worked effectively across a small number of schools can quickly become harder to manage consistently at scale. Proce... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/school-growth-challenges) 60 Hits Tuesday, 19 May 2026 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-payroll-problems-schools-dont-talk-about) Featured ## [The Payroll Problems Schools Don't Talk About](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-payroll-problems-schools-dont-talk-about) Payroll in schools is expected to be straightforward: staff are paid correctly, on time, every time. But in reality, it's one of the most complex and high-risk administrative functions in education - and one many schools quietly struggle to manage. Not because teams aren't capable, but because the demands have outgrown the way payroll is ... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-payroll-problems-schools-dont-talk-about) 479 Hits Friday, 01 May 2026 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-gag-pooling) ## [The Pros and Cons of GAG Pooling](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-gag-pooling) In academy finance, GAG pooling is now an important topic of discussion for multi-academy trusts (MATs). Pooling was once seen as a niche or controversial practice. Now, it is a key way strong trusts manage their resources and plan for growth. What is GAG pooling? Why is it becoming popular? What should trust leaders think about as they deal with t... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-gag-pooling) 775 Hits Tuesday, 11 November 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/school-finance-department-outsourcing) ## [6 Benefits of Outsourcing Your School and MAT Finance Team](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/school-finance-department-outsourcing) Managing school and academy finance isn't a small feat; it's a constant juggle between limiting budgets and meeting deadlines and stringent compliance needs. It's hard to stay on track when dealing with the day-to-day pressures of running an organisation that puts children and their futures first. That's why a growing number of schools, acade... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/school-finance-department-outsourcing) 936 Hits Wednesday, 30 July 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/great-mat-governance) ## [What Great MAT Governance Looks Like in 2025 - A Practical Guide for Trustees](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/great-mat-governance) In the past few years, we've seen a shift in the way schools operate, with more schools evolving and transitioning into academies and trusts. The onus of effective governance throughout this transition is on the directors and board of trustees, whose responsibilities go beyond meeting organisational and education laws. MAT trustees are expected to ... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/great-mat-governance) 1048 Hits Wednesday, 16 July 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/formal-disciplinary-action-schools) ## [How to Navigate Formal Disciplinary Processes in Your School or Trust](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/formal-disciplinary-action-schools) Managing people is one of the most sensitive and challenging responsibilities in school leadership. Whether you're addressing staff misconduct, safeguarding concerns, or persistent underperformance, complex HR cases in education can quickly escalate and increase legal, reputational, and operational risks to your school or trust. Disciplinary action... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/formal-disciplinary-action-schools) 1051 Hits Tuesday, 08 July 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/keeping-children-safe-in-education-2025) ## [Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025: What’s New and What You Need to Do](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/keeping-children-safe-in-education-2025) The Department for Education (DfE) has released the 2025 draft of the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, which comes into effect on 1 September 2025. This statutory document is essential reading for all schools, colleges, and education providers in England. While this year's update is described as containing only te... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/keeping-children-safe-in-education-2025) 3025 Hits Tuesday, 08 July 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/mat-finance-benchmarking) ## [MAT Finance Benchmarking: What the Top 10% of Trusts Are Doing Differently](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/mat-finance-benchmarking) We all recognise that benchmarking matters, but without action, it's just numbers on a page. The top-performing MATs—the ones consistently in that top 10%—don't treat benchmarking as a tick-box exercise. They use it to shape strategic decisions and drive meaningful change. In our recent blog, Benchmarking Financial Health: A Key Tool in Due Diligen... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/mat-finance-benchmarking) 1022 Hits Friday, 04 July 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/academy-trust-handbook-2025) ## [Academy Trust Handbook 2025 — What You Need to Know](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/academy-trust-handbook-2025) The Academy Trust Handbook 2025 has now been published. While there are no major policy overhauls, several key updates provide important clarity for trust leaders. This summary sets out what has changed and what school trusts need to be aware of from 1 September 2025. Summary of Changes to the 2025 Academy Trust Handbook No significant policy shift... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/academy-trust-handbook-2025) 1356 Hits Thursday, 26 June 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/internal-audit-benefits) ## [Is Internal Scrutiny Adding Real Value to Your Academy Trust?](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/internal-audit-benefits) Internal scrutiny is usually seen as a mere compliance exercise, but it's more than a regulatory obligation. These education audits have a strategic intent, with the ability to drive improvement, accountability, and value for money across your academy trust's operations. Ideally, when done right, internal scrutiny should improve the governance, ope... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/internal-audit-benefits) 963 Hits Tuesday, 24 June 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-benchmarking-schools) ## [Benchmarking Financial Health: A Key Tool in Due Diligence for Schools and Trusts](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-benchmarking-schools) As schools and trusts grow and undergo changes, financial due diligence has become an invaluable exercise. Especially when budgets are tight, knowing how your school or trust stacks up financially is essential. Benchmarking is an impactful tool, providing leaders and governors with a clearer picture of how money is being spent, what is working, and... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-benchmarking-schools) 1610 Hits Wednesday, 18 June 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/procurement-services-schools) ## [Public Sector Procurement for Schools – What’s Changing in 2025](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/procurement-services-schools) The new Procurement Act 2023, initially scheduled to take effect from October 2024, finally came into force on 24 February 2025. This Act aims to upgrade the procurement regulations and practices by introducing more flexibility and strategic changes. With budget restrictions and increased financial scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders, your pr... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/procurement-services-schools) 1228 Hits Wednesday, 21 May 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/mat-financial-planning-strategy) ## [Strategic Financial Planning for Multi-Academy Trusts: Short, Medium & Long-Term Horizons](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/mat-financial-planning-strategy) The UK's education landscape is witnessing a widespread transformation with schools, academies, and trusts trying hard to keep up with the changes. Multi-academy trust (MAT) leaders, in particular, are under increasing pressure to balance immediate needs with future financial goals. This emphasises the importance of creating a bulletproof MAT finan... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/mat-financial-planning-strategy) 1100 Hits Wednesday, 21 May 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-strategies-forecasting-academies) ## [Key Strategies for Budgeting and Forecasting in MATs](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-strategies-forecasting-academies) Multi-academy trusts (MATs) are under increasing pressure to maintain financial sustainability while continuing to deliver high-quality education. This is especially true in today's climate, as MATs face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies, rising operational expenses, and unsteady government funding streams. Even with ongoing uncertainties, ... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-strategies-forecasting-academies) 1792 Hits Thursday, 01 May 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-planning-schools) ## [5 Essential Steps for Multi-Year Financial Planning in Academy Trusts](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-planning-schools) As an academy trust, planning and managing school and academy finance go beyond balancing the books. Financial planning for schools is about creating a promising future that supports your academy trust's goals, staff, and students. All this can be achieved with multi-year financial planning. This is more than just a tool for tracking money - it's a... [ Continue reading](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/financial-planning-schools) 1267 Hits Wednesday, 23 April 2025 [General](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [ First Page ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ Previous Page ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ 1 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ 2 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=15) [ 3 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=30) [ 4 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=45) [ 5 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=60) [ 6 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=75) [ 7 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=90) [ 8 ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=105) [ Next Page ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=15) [ Last Page ](https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog?start=105) ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://keystoneknowledge.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Recent Blog Posts", "item": "https://keystoneknowledge.com/blog.md" } ] } ```