Founded in 2018 by Lee Miller MBE, Thinking Solutions for Education brings together a team of education experts dedicated to helping schools and trusts thrive. We believe that when school leaders are supported with the right services, delivered in the right way and at the right cost, they have more time and capacity to focus on what matters most: the wellbeing, development and success of every student.
Our purpose is simple, to deliver high-quality, value-for-money services that reduce pressure, strengthen decision-making and help schools make the best possible use of their resources. Our expertise spans across financial services, HR, governance, internal scrutiny, data protection, communications, marketing and website design.
What makes us different is our first-hand understanding of schools and trusts. As part of Thinking Schools Academy Trust, our services are shaped by people working in education. We know the challenges leaders face, and our work helps schools shift their focus away from administrative burden and back towards students, learning and transforming life chances.
As a not-for-profit organisation, our purpose is to support the sector with expert services that offer real value for money. Any surplus is reinvested directly back into education, supporting continuous improvement across our school communities.
Thinking Solutions for Education exists not just to deliver services, but to help create school communities where every decision and every strategy contributes to what matters most: children and their futures.
We work alongside education leaders to provide practical, high-quality support across finance, HR, governance, communications, marketing, data protection and operational strategy. Whether a school needs additional capacity, specialist expertise, strategic guidance or day-to-day support, our services are approachable, responsive and shaped around real sector needs.
We support schools and trusts with:
- Expert finance support, including CFO, Head of Finance and Business Manager consultancy, interim appointments, budget setting and monitoring, month-end reporting and transactional processing.
- Specialist HR consultancy and interim leadership, including restructure support, employee relations case management and mediation services.
- Payroll services and payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance and efficiency.
- Communications and marketing support to strengthen engagement, visibility and brand consistency.
- Website development, management and improvement to support clear communication and user experience.
- Data protection services, including compliance advice, support and audits.
- Governance audits and consultancy to strengthen boards, accountability and compliance.
- Internal scrutiny audits of centralised trust services, identifying opportunities for improvement and assurance.
- Income generation consultancy, including maximising returns from school sites, sporting facilities and other assets.
We take time to understand each school or trust’s context, challenges and ambitions, then provide support that is proportionate and focused on measurable impact.
By working with Thinking Solutions for Education, schools and trusts gain a trusted partner committed to delivering value, reducing pressure and helping leaders keep students at the centre of every decision.
Thinking Solutions for Education is led by Kelly Denton – Commercial Director, Thinking Schools Academy trust
We’re here to provide flexible, expert support whenever it’s needed, helping schools and trusts strengthen their operations, make confident decisions and create the conditions for pupils to thrive.
To find out more, visit https://thinkingsolutionsforeducation.co.uk/contact-us/ or contact Kelly directly at Kelly.Denton@tsatrust.org.uk
