School business managers and administrators

School business managers (SBMs) and school administrators

Business Managers and other office administrative staff provide essential services for the whole school covering pupil attendance, admissions, managing school clubs/trips, staff recruitment, finance, school website and admin support for the whole school

School business manager

A school business manager will utilise their specialist skills to manage school finances and resources and bring a business dimension to strategic planning in the school. The duties undertaken will depend on the specific needs of the school but may include:-

• professional and financial advise to the Headteacher. SLT and Governors
• strategic lead for non curriculum functions across the whole school
• responsibility for site development /project management within the school
• accountability for the efficient management of School Finances, Human Resources, Health and Safety and Facilities Management
• line/performance management of staff
• development of collaborative partnerships with other schools and organisations
• Procurement / cost saving activities

SBMs act as vital leaders in our Schools. Well-trained and qualified SBMs provide schools with access to unique skills and important technical knowledge. They have access to membership of professional body ISBL with specific professional standards.

ISBL Professional Standards — ISBL

There are a range of specialist qualifications:

• L4 ILM Diploma for School Business Managers
• L5 ILM Diploma for School Business Leaders
• L6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
• Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship (cipfa.org)

All school support staff can access a range of CPD and training via Ealing CPD online

School business manager qualifications

The ISBL suggests the following qualifications for school business professionals and those aspiring / following a career path in school business leadership:

Level 2/3 School finance

• Level 2-3 Finance — ISBL
• Norfolk County Council training provider: Email: financequalifications@norfolk.gov.uk
• School Business Manager Apprenticeships – Welcome to the School Business Management Partnership (sbmpartnership.org.uk)

Level 4 School business professional

• Education and Skills Training and Development: School business professional level 4
• Heart of England Training Ltd: School Business Manager Apprenticeship
• The SBM Partnership level 4
• Best Practice Network: Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM)
• Level 4 School Business Professional Apprenticeship (SBPA) — ISBL

Level 5 School business professional

• The SBM Partnership level 5
• CMI Management and Leadership — ISBL
• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management for School Business Professionals — ISBL
• CMI Level 5 in Project Management — ISBL

Level 6 Chartered managers degree / Level 7 senior leaders masters degree apprenticeship

• Serco Education
• University of Chester Business and management

Level 7 School business professional

• Elevate Your School Leadership: CIPFA Diploma — ISBL
• CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in People Management for School Business Professionals — ISBL

In house courses – Leadership

We are delighted in Ealing that we are able to run several ILM Courses in Leadership aimed at School Business professionals

Courses will be available at Level 2, 3 and 5 awards

ELP Schools will be offered 20% discount for 2024/25 courses which will be run at the EEC.

Level 2 – Team Skills and Leading

The ILM Level 2 Award in Team Skills and Leading qualification is designed to help you boost your performance as a team member and help you make the transition from working in a team to leading a team. If you are a practicing team leader, they will help you be more effective and confident in your role.

• Session 1 ILM registration, Induction & Developing Yourself as a Team Leader (1 credit) – Part 1
• Session 2 Developing Yourself as a Team Leader - Part 2 & Assignment
• Session 3 Leading your work team (2 credits) & Assignment.
• Session 4 Tutorial session / Next steps

Level 3 - Leadership

The ILM Level 5 Award qualification in Leadership and Management is ideal if you have management responsibilities but no formal training and are serious about developing your abilities. It is particularly suited to practicing team leaders seeking to move up to the next level of management, and managers who need to lead people through organizational change, budget cuts, or other pressures.

• Session 1 ILM registration, Induction; Understanding Leadership - Part 1 (2 credits)
• Session 2 Understanding Leadership Part 2 + Assignment
• Session 3 Leading and Motivating a Team (2 credits) + Assignment
• Session 4 Tutorial session, Next steps

Level 5 - Leadership

The ILM Level 5 Award Qualification in Leadership and Management is designed for practising middle managers who wish to develop their skills and experience, improve performance, and ultimately prepare for senior management positions.

Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management

• Session 1 – ILM registration, Induction & Becoming an Effective Leader (5 credits) – Part 1
• Session 2 - Becoming an Effective Leader - Part 2 and Assignment
• Session 3 – Developing and Leading Teams to Achieve Organisational Objectives – (4 credits) - Part 1
• Session 4 – Developing and Leading Teams to Achieve Organisational Objectives - Part 2 & Assignment
• Session 5 – Tutorial session / Next steps.

SBM career pathway: Administrator to school business leader (pdf)

School administrators

Provide essential administrative services for the whole school providing day to day office support in a range of functions

Roles include, Office Manager, Receptionist, Admissions Officer; Attendance Officer, Finance Officer and general Administrators

Main responsibilities and tasks

• Undertake reception duties, answering routine telephone and face-to-face enquiries/visitors
• Assist with pupil first aid and welfare, looking after sick pupils, liaising with parents and staff
• Maintain manual and computerised records/ management information systems.
• Undertake ICT based tasks
• Undertake routine administration
• Manging pupil attendance
• Managing admissions processes
• Pupil data input
• Financial processing
• Marketing
• Procurement
• Managing finance and office procedures
• Overseeing Health and Safety of the school premises

Job descriptions (link to generic) on EGfL