ABSTRACT
In the beginning was the word, and the word was with the Local Education Authority (LEA) officers and those in their favour were blessed. Nowadays, there are many in leadership roles in schools who do not remember the times before delegated budgets, when headteachers were freer to be headteachers, but funds to support the learning process were allocated on an apparently irrational basis. In contrast, today, the leadership and management of the school budget is a major role for senior staff and impacts on the roles of all in the school. Leaders need to be able to make significant decisions which determine the effectiveness of the school in meeting its aims. This requires strategic and ethical leadership and it links to the other chapters of this book.
