Yes, but how do we actually become more efficient?

Throughout recent speeches the government has repeatedly mentioned that efficiency has to be the new watchword in education.  And while the budget for 2010/11 remains at the level that was set three years ago, there is a clear suggestion from the schools’ minister that schools must work to make themselves more efficient.

For many school managers the question asked is, how does one do this.  How does one make a school more efficient?  The government has come up with one idea (echoing the report by the Audit Commission last summer): we should all try to cut our power bills.  

Which is fine, but after that – what next? I believe there is a solution to this issue, but it involves asking another question first, and that question is…  

Who should head the efficiency team? 

Evidence thus far suggests that schools in which a group of teachers are pulled together to chip in with ideas on efficiency tend not to be very productive when it comes to an end result.   They might have ideas, but generally speaking they don’t lead to the sort of efficiencies that the secretary of state is looking for.

This is not to suggest teachers don’t have the ability to make efficiency savings, but rather to suggest that they don’t have the background and daily experience that allows them to see efficiency possibilities. Instead I believe that once should look at the school office as a source of inspiration in this matter.  The school office has to liaise with all parts of the school. 

The school office has a wide range of options as to how it organises itself.   It also deals with school finances. Now you might say, hang on, the office can’t take on any more, and that’s a fair point. 

But if efficiency planning works, you end up taking on less, not more.  To help you begin to think yourself into this approach the School of Education Administration offers the Certificate in Educational Administration which is recognised by QCA.    

The course is taught through distance-learning so no time need be taken off work.  It lasts a year – but there is also a shorter course on Work Management and Administration, which lasts two months.

The next date for applications for the next intake on to the QCA validated, one year distance learning course is 1 February, closing date for applications 22 January.  The next intake for this two-month distance learning course (which is one module of the full National Certificate course) starts on 22 February 2010 – closing date for applications is 12 February.

An online prospectus is available at http://www.admin.org.uk/Prospectus.pdf   

To request a printed prospectus please send an email to samanthabates@hamilton-house.com or phone 01536 399 007.

For more information on the one year certificate course please visit http://www.admin.org.uk/certificate%20course.html   

For more information on the two month Work Management course please visit http://www.admin.org.uk/shortcourse.html