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to the topGeneral Secretary: Mr Jonathan Cook
Business Director: Mrs Julia Wood
Professional Development Director: Mr Paul Simpson
Assistant General Secretary: Mrs Barbara Jackson
PA to General Secretary & Membership Secretary: Shirley Alexander
ISBA Administrative Assistant: Alma McKellar
ISBA is a charitable company limited by guarantee whose object is the advancement of education by the promotion of efficient and effective administration and ancillary services at independent schools. In effect, the Association exists to provide support for bursars in independent schools and to promote best financial, administrative and operational practice. Although it is the school and not the bursar that is the member of ISBA, the bursar is usually the school’s nominated representative.
The Association traces its history back to the founding of the Public Schools Bursars’ Association which held its first general meeting on 26 April 1932 at the offices of Epsom College. The name was changed to the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association in 1983. There are over 900 members, including some 30 overseas Associate Members. ISBA is one of the constituent members of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and is represented on the ISC Governing Council and a number of ISC Committees. In some cases the Association represents ISC at meetings with the DCSF, HSE and Teachers’ Pensions providing advice on bursarial matters.
ISBA has an elected Executive Committee whose members serve for two years, when they may seek re-election for a further period of three years. At this stage they leave the Committee unless elected either Vice Chairman or Chairman. The Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected at each AGM and may not hold office for more than three years. The Memorandum and Articles of Association may be viewed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. There are 10 ordinary members of the Committee plus the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Scottish schools are represented by the Chairman of the Scottish Bursars’ Association who is a co-opted member.
The Executive Committee meets five times a year and devolves work to two Sub-Committees, General Purposes and Finance. The Chairman of the Finance Sub-Committee also acts as the Chairman of ISBA Enterprises Ltd.
There are over 20 autonomous groups formed either regionally or by type of school and these manage their own affairs and arrange meetings, usually on a termly basis. The Secretariat attends these meetings by invitation whenever possible.
General support to all bursars of member schools through the production of a number of documents for the advice and guidance of members with further advice available by telephone and email. The aim is for the Committee and Secretariat to provide overall guidance to all members rather than each school having to fend for itself
The Bursar's Guide A book that offers guidance on
a wide range of issues related to the management of schools. This document
is written in general rather than specific terms and is a very useful
manual, particularly for the new bursar.
Bulletins These are made available on the website to all members approximately 8 times per annum. They provide information and guidance on recent legislation covering such matters as employment law, finance, tax, health and safety, minibus operations, fire regulations and general matters of interest.
The Bursar’s Review There are three issues of this magazine each year with one issue comprising The Annual Report and Conference Programme. The magazine includes articles of topical interest written both by bursars and those who provide professional advice to schools.
Documents are available which include Recruiting a Bursar; Heads’, Teachers’ and Bursars’ Contracts; Guidance on Appraisal; Age Discrimination; Health & Safety General Policy Statement; Grant Assessment Forms; A Checklist of Policies for Schools; Company Secretary’s check-off list.
The Annual Conference Normally held in the first or second week of May over a period of two days. The Conference comprises plenary sessions together with workshops on topical issues, the AGM, a trade exhibition of school suppliers and the Association’s Annual Dinner. It is a valuable opportunity to learn of new developments, exchange views and discuss problems.
Professional Development The Association arranges a series of seminars on topical subjects throughout the Winter and Spring terms. To avoid duplication, these seminars are co-ordinated with professional firms who arrange their own programmes of professional development which are available to bursars. In addition, in early March each year, the Association runs a two day induction course for new bursars.
Full membership of ISBA is open, on application, to schools in membership of any one of the constituent associations of the Independent Schools Council so long as they remain a member of these bodies. These associations are:
Other schools, including overseas schools, may apply for Associate Membership
provided that the school is recognised as an educational charity and subject to
the recommendation of the Executive Committee to the Annual General Meeting.
Should a school seek Full or Associate membership, schools are encouraged in the
first instance to telephone the General Secretary to discuss membership options.
A copy of the application pack may be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
Membership is by school, rather than the individual. However, it is usual for
the Governing Body to appoint the Bursar as their representative.
The annual subscription, payable by direct debit on, or soon after 1st January each year is £510 (2010). For an overseas Associate member school, the subscription is £210 (2010).
Please click to print application pack
Please click here to view the substantive provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association