10 Steps to Build Resilient Schools: A Proactive Risk Management Checklist
Managing risks in schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts (MATs) isn't just about meeting compliance requirements. It's about creating a forward-looking environment where pupils and staff can thrive. At Keystone Knowledge, we understand the dynamic challenges schools face and provide the tools to build resilience and success.
Why Proactive Risk Management is Essential
Risk management goes beyond ticking compliance boxes. It fosters a culture of awareness, accountability, and proactive planning at every level. Facing diverse challenges, managing risks in schools and MATs can include minimising cyber-security breaches and addressing safeguarding concerns, amongst many other things. Addressing these risks demands strategic foresight, not just adherence to regulations.
A robust and proactive risk management approach enables school leaders to:
- Identify and prioritise risks: Understand and rank challenges across governance, finances, operations, and safeguarding.
- Build strategic resilience: Develop contingency plans and long-term solutions.
- Strengthen decision-making: Base critical actions on informed insights.
Download Our 10-Point Risk Management Checklist
Download our quick-reference checklist to help evaluate and enhance your trust's risk management strategy.
Our checklist ensures proactive risk management, covering a number of areas to help you remain compliant, including:
- Risk identification
- Prioritisation
- Accountability
- Risk register
- Preventative controls
- Mitigation strategies
- Emergency response planning
- Monitoring
- Training
- Governance oversight
The Keystone Knowledge Approach To Managing Risks in Schools
Keystone Knowledge provides tailored risk management solutions for the education sector.
- Risk identification: Pinpointing and mitigating trust-specific risks.
- Frameworks & registers: Creating bespoke frameworks and detailed risk registers with clear accountability.
- Proactive support: Regular reviews, governance processes, and training to embed risk awareness and ensure sustained progress.
With deep sector expertise and practical, proactive solutions, we help schools and trusts build robust, sustainable processes.
Risk Management Support for MATs
Managing risks in schools is an ongoing process that evolves with your trust's goals. Internal Scrutiny is the foundation of this journey, offering valuable insights to identify potential risks and areas for improvement. Keystone Knowledge provides the expertise and tools to ensure long-term success. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
Download our 10-Point Risk Management Checklist and start building resilience today!
About the author
Stephen is an experienced leader in education, and the CEO of Keystone Knowledge. He has worked as CEO, CFO, COO across academies since 2012 and delivered programmes of change and rapid organisational improvement.
He holds an MBA with a thesis on improving the quality of management in education, is currently working on his Doctorate, and is a national lead assessor on the School Resource Management Advisor (SRMA) programme for the DfE. He regularly speaks at national conferences on a range of topics relevant to the education sector.
