School credit card spending raises deeper governance questions

An Education Authority investigation into Assumption Grammar School revealed thousands spent on wine, restaurants, and Amazon purchases using school credit cards – including individual spending of over £10,000 in bars and restaurants. Although the final report found no fraud, it flagged weak financial controls and recommended urgent governance improvements. The school disputes aspects of the findings, citing inaccuracies in the interim report and confirming changes to strengthen oversight. However, staff morale is reported to be at an all-time low, with calls for greater transparency from leadership. For education executives, this is a sharp reminder: robust financial scrutiny and clear accountability are not optional – they are the bedrock of institutional trust.

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