Investing to save
The Department for Education has released funds and commissioned the College to introduce school business manager (SBM) primary partnerships, with the aim of increasing access to skilled SBMs within the primary sector.
Research has shown how appropriately skilled and effectively deployed SBMs can save about a third of a headteacher’s time and 5 per cent of the school’s resources. While 90 per cent of secondary schools have a school business manager, far fewer schools have access to one in the primary sector.
The funding available will allow for grants of up to £20,000 to support the appointment of school business managers or directors within at least one cluster in every local authority area in England.
Toby Salt, Deputy Chief Executive of the National College, said: “There is now compelling evidence that well deployed and skilled school business managers (SBMs) realise significant savings in terms of both headteachers’ and teachers’ time and school resources – savings which can be reinvested in teaching and learning.
“We know that the skills of school business managers will be sorely needed over the coming years to effectively manage resources as financial resources tighten and that’s why we are encouraging schools to invest to save.”
The work will begin in the autumn term with advisers recruited from previous SBM demonstration projects working with schools to help them set up the SBM positions.
The grants will be made available to predominantly primary schools coming together to share the skills of an SBM. Secondary-led clusters will also be eligible but they must include mostly primary sector schools.
Further information and details on how to apply are available now.
- For media enquiries about the National College, please contact Richard Earle on 07810 656258
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