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Budget planning: how-to and templates

Get to grips with school budget planning. Use our template 5-year budget plan spreadsheets to help you model a range of scenarios and then cost your chosen one in detail.

Last reviewed on 14 March 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 5606
Contents
  1. Think at least 3 years ahead
  2. How to forecast your budget effectively
  3. Know your income
  4. Calculate your expenditure
  5. Download our budget projection and planning spreadsheets
  6. Boost your budget skills with CPD from The Key

Think at least 3 years ahead

Maintained schools 

In addition to submitting your annual budget to your local authority (LA), you'll also need to submit a separate 3-year budget forecast (as explained in section 4.3 of the DfE's guidance on schemes for financing local authority maintained schools).

Check with your LA to find out:

  • When you have to submit your annual budget. It should be between 1 May and 30 June, but your LA might expect to see a provisional plan earlier than this
  • When you have to submit your 3-year budget forecast (this should also be between 1 May and 30 June)

You should also check and agree with your LA:

You also have to submit your Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS), confirming that you have a well-informed and balanced 3-year budget (see question 9