ISBA BURSARCAST // Rising Fee Arrears in Independent Schools ft. RedWood collections + Spring round up (20th March 2026)
What’s changed post-VAT, where schools lose leverage, and how to respond earlier
ISBA BURSARCAST · ISBA
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Show Notes
This week’s ISBA Bursarcast looks at rising fee arrears in independent schools — and what bursars and finance teams can do to respond earlier, more consistently, and with greater confidence.
We speak to Richard Monan from Redwood Collections about what schools are seeing on the ground, including debts that are becoming older, larger and harder to recover.
In this episode
- Why fee arrears are becoming more difficult to manage
- How post-VAT pressure is affecting parent debt and school decisions
- Why good arrears management starts with process and consistency
- The value of a structured 7 / 14 / 21-day follow-up cycle
- Why schools should not wait too long before escalating or seeking specialist support
- Common dispute areas, including fees in lieu of notice and separated parents
- The risk of losing credibility by setting timelines and not following through
- How to balance fair treatment, compassion and consistency
- Why governors should keep sight of cost versus recovery
- Redwood’s wider support, including credit management, Parent Check Plus, and options for historic debt portfolios
Also in this week’s sector updates
- ISBA’s Spring Term Sector Update recording is now available
- Key changes on restrictive interventions, mobile phone policy, employment law and TPS budgeting
- A preview of ISBA Annual Conference 2026
- Updated Scottish employment contract templates
- A useful read on the updated Charity Governance Code
- Current bursar vacancies at Stover School and St Cedd’s School
- Advice on verifying references
- An inspection reminder on supply staff and the SCR
- The latest update on the meningitis outbreak in Kent
- A call for feedback on the template safeguarding policy
- The extended Stickman Pupil Recruitment Risk Check
- A free ACAS neurodiversity webinar
- Updates to Working Together to Safeguard Children
- The next NABs programme and upcoming ISBA webinars
Resources mentioned (Members only)
- ISBA Weekly Bulletin 10
- ISBA Reference Library
- ISBA Spring Term Sector Update
- ISBA Annual Conference 2026 — 11–13 May, ICC Wales
- ISBA Safer Recruitment Pack
More from Redwood Collections: https://www.redwoodcollections.com/
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