SUPPORTERS & TESTIMONIALS
Average client satisfaction rating 5 stars
What our clients say about Somerset Education products and services.
John Somerset has been an important partner with our school. His simple but clear presentations and regular, relevant analysis have been instrumental in providing commentary that has assisted our Board and School Management to understand the drivers that promote school sustainability and financial management. His work has been critical in enabling us to plan and grow. John understands the independent sector and provides deep insight to the key factors to support sustainable schools. His regular reports provide our Finance Committee with data to monitor and support careful stewardship, allowing us to monitor and benchmark our practice. John’s work has been instrumental in our success and I am thankful for his contribution to Calrossy and the education sector. I strongly recommend his range of services.
2024, David Smith, Principal, Calrossy Anglican School
CHSS is forever in gratitude to you for supporting us through a very significant financial crisis in 2022. Good financial data is critical to a school in distress and you and the team helped us navigate this and also create ongoing financial transparency. Working with you gave the Board of Directors insights into actions that needed to be taken and the comfort and confidence that these actions will ensure our financial turnaround and secure our future. Having a keen eye through the Somerset modelling and monitoring the KPIs regularly has resulted in the most tremendous turnaround in sustainability. This is important to a smaller school as we are more vulnerable to enrolment fluctuations. John not only focuses on the numbers, he fully understands that long term success in schools is based on cultural factors, and worked with the Board with this mindset. On reflection, my only regret is not having engaged John a few months earlier.
2024, Sharonika Camplin, Board Chair, Cairns Hinterland Steiner School
Somerset Education Financial Survey for Schools® – One of the greatest benchmarking tools for any industry. Education is blessed to have access to it. If you are a leader or Board member in a school and you don’t use Somerset ….. almost a breach of fiduciary duty, in my opinion.
2024, Sam Kronja, Past director (14 years) of finance & corporate services, Perth Presbyterian Ladies College
John, I have always admired, in particular, your great gift of communicating financial information to Business managers and to lay people on boards! That’s a truly God- given ability/gift you have! So you have a “very well done” from me for all your life’s work and endeavours to date! Your professional and helpful service to the non- government schools’ sector goes far beyond the fees you charge and should be appreciated by all those you serve through your work!
2023, Ray McKinnon, Business Manager of 35 years (retired) Positions at Brisbane Grammar School, St Peters Lutheran College, Fairholme College, Grace Lutheran College
John Somerset is an excellent presenter whose work on school financial management is well researched, school specific and rich in detail. John presents in a manner that is easy to follow and understand, particularly for those not well versed in school finances. Those who are, will be pleased with his commitment to analysing and presenting the detail of the School’s financial history and his no nonsense approach presenting the outcomes of his extensive experience in researching and benchmarking Financial Management and Progress in the independent school sector. I am happy to heartily recommend that all School Boards and Executive Management Teams, invite his financial commentary on your school.
2021, Karen Spiller OAM CF, Principal John Paul College, Chair Independent Schools Queensland
An excellent presentation which explains the complexity of schools and data well. 10 out of 10 rating.
2021, Brian Kennelly, Principal/CEO The Essington School Darwin
I have been using the Somerset Non-Government Schools’ Financial Performance survey for the last eight years. The ratios and benchmarks provided are vital information for me to continually achieve strong financial performances at my school. The survey is relatively easy because most of the data required is based upon the Financial Questionnaire format. I use the resulting report every year with my Finance committee to compare how we perform across a large number of ratios and benchmarks. The results help me to make slight alterations in my budgeting process each year to ensure that my ratios and benchmarks continually look good. I strongly recommend using the Somerset Schools Financial Performance survey.
Rodger Brook BM Genesis College QLD
The Somerset survey has been an invaluable tool for reviewing our operations and helping to forecast into the future.
John is an excellent presenter imparting his deep understanding of school operations to others.
Maree Johnstone Loreto Kirribilli
The Somerset Survey is a valuable tool for “responsible financial management”. The benchmarking a great guide for the development of our 10 year business plan.
I can confidently go to our Governors reassuring our ongoing financial viability.
Robert Tarran, Lavalla Catholic College
The ability to enable selection of samples is excellent and enhances value of the survey.
It has allowed our school to compare our results to a range of samples and supported more detailed discussions.
Jason Hockaday, The Glennie School
The explanations accompanying each table and graph are useful and self-explanatory.
Jeff Gray, Parklands Christian College
The customised survey selection is magic!!!
John Dohler, Glasshouse Mountains Christian College
The best financial reporting tool I have seen for direct comparison of schools.
Greg Davis, Trinity College Albury
Somerset remains the Benchmark of choice for the Independent sector. Trusted by Board and Management.
We will continue to utilise on an ongoing basis.
David Frazer, Newcastle Grammar
Overall, very good information and the benchmarking is useful to see where we stand.
Phil Tankey, Marcellin College
In my opinion, the Somerset Survey and Reports is an essential tool for school business managers.
It helps to confirm your own appraisal and opinions as well as possibly identifying new issues.
Wayne Burman, Living Waters Lutheran College