Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS) Update

Schools in the Eastern and Southern Areas and early volunteers

Unless you inform me to the contrary, I will assume that schools working on the submission of FMSiS portfolios by March 2008 will require Norfolk LA to undertake your FMSiS external assessment. Please would you notify me by 15 December if you intend to use one of the third party providers listed on the Department for Children Schools and Families' Value for Money website. (Links via www.fmsis.info).

Schools in the North and Central Areas and other volunteers

Northern and Central Area schools have been asked to achieve the Standard by March 2009 and Children's Services Finance has provided FMSiS overview sessions for schools this term in the Northern Area. There are still places available on 7 February, 2008 at the Hethel Engineering Centre. These free sessions are an introduction to the Standard and are suitable for both school staff and governors.

A further overview has been arranged for schools that may have missed previous sessions, at the Professional Development Centre, Norwich on 22 January, 2008 at 17.00 to 18.30 hours. Please book through the training team, Joanne Cooper, telephone 01603 224271 or by e-mail or Richard Boyd, telephone 01603 223390 or by e-mail.

Children's Services Finance may also be able to provide a cluster overview session for your school if you can provide a venue and sufficient numbers. Please contact Judith Hall on telephone 01603 222543 or by e-mail to discuss.

There will be two governors' evening sessions in March 2008 at the Professional Development Centre, Norwich. Letters will go out next term to the Chair of Governors and the Chair of Finance with full details. Details of 2008 FMSiS Workshops will also be available next term.

All of our sessions are open to schools in any area, but please note that overviews will be arranged in the Western Area in the Autumn term 2008.