At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare multi-year budgets and manage complex financial forecasting for schools.
- Company: The Lighthouse Schools Partnership is a rapidly growing Multi-Academy Trust with 30 schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment, wellbeing support, and access to a discount retail platform.
- Other info: This role is permanent, full-time, and starts in September 2026.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic finance team dedicated to enhancing educational quality across diverse schools.
- Qualifications: Candidates should have experience in financial planning and budget management.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 41771 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Disability Confident: No
Closing Date: 27/06/2026
About this job
Hours: 37 Contract: Full Time, Term Time only plus 4 additional weeks during school holidays and 5 Inset days
Permanent Salary: JM1, SCP28. SCP31 £39,152 - £41,771. Actual Salary: £37,392.74 - £39,894.06. Start Date: September 2026
The Lighthouse Schools Partnership is looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to join our Finance Team as a School Finance Business Partner with effect from 1st September 2026. You will play a pivotal role in delivering a high-quality financial support service to schools, including the delivery of a service level agreement to manage schools' high-level financial functions.
You will work in close partnership with Headteachers, Governors and school finance staff to provide support, guidance and challenge on financial planning, accountability and budget appropriateness. As a vital member of our support team, you will assist in delivering comprehensive business operations whilst also undertaking strategic, data-driven duties. This unique role involves preparing multi-year budgets, managing complex financial forecasting and building strong, effective working relationships across our Trust schools.
If you are a resilient, enthusiastic individual with a strong focus on continuous service improvement and a commitment to the deliverability of quality education, we would love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the lead point of contact for Budget Holders, Headteachers and Local Governing Boards to provide strategic financial functions, advice and support.
- Provide support and challenge to Headteachers, Governors and other stakeholders on financial planning, accountability and budget appropriateness.
- Prepare and analyse multi-year budgets, ensuring that the financial information produced is as accurate as possible and consistent across the Trust.
- Undertake financial forecasting for the financial year and investigate any variances to ensure school business operations run effectively.
- Complete crucial monthly, annual and ad hoc reconciliations and checks, including payroll reviews, finance checklists and fixed asset registers.
- Monitor income and expenditure for specific and earmarked funds, such as PE grants, SEND, pupil premium and wrap-around care.
- Prepare and present clear financial information, scenarios and costings to school leadership and Trustees, including during periods of change management.
- Provide tailored support, guidance and training on financial systems and processes for staff in schools joining the Trust to ensure compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook.
Benefits
- A fabulous working environment with children who really want to learn.
- A friendly and successful school.
- A growing school with dedicated and hard-working staff.
- A positive learning environment.
- Supportive staff, governors, parents and community.
- Collaborative working within our Trust community to support our endeavours to work smarter.
- Access to wellbeing support. 24-hour confidential helpline and counselling.
- Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle Scheme.
- Discount retail platform with access to hundreds of discounts.
The Trust
The Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) is a Multi-Academy Trust which has experienced rapid growth since it started in 2016. There are currently 30 schools in the Trust. The Lighthouse Schools Partnership is cross-phase and includes Infant, Junior, Primary and Secondary schools. The Trust is a mixed MAT and includes both non-denominational and Church of England schools.
We encourage you to browse our website for more information about the Trust.
Finance Business Partner in Weston-super-Mare employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
The Lighthouse Schools Partnership offers a collaborative working environment across 30 schools. Employees benefit from wellbeing support and a positive learning atmosphere. Located in a vibrant community, the Trust focuses on delivering quality education.
Contact Details:
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruitment Team
