Jump to content

Teachers in discussion

Supporting a CSBM applicant?

Read our information for headteachers and chairs of governors.

Looking to recruit a school business manager?

Use our resources to help you attract, retain and develop the right school business manager for your school.

Who is CSBM for?

The Certificate of School Business Management (CSBM) is open to three types of applicants.

Applicants with school business manager (SBM) experience (internal)

As an applicant with SBM experience you will either be:

  • employed as an SBM or bursar within a state-maintained school, academy or early years setting
  • working for a local authority or the Department for Education with SBM responsibilities, and a school identified at which you can carry out work-based study

Please review the selection criteria for applicants with SBM experience before applying.

Applicants not working in a school (aspiring)

Applicants in this category must either:

  • not work in a school
  • work for a local authority but not in a school support role

Please review the selection criteria for applicants not working in a school before applying.

Independent applicants

As an independent applicant you will be a current SBM or equivalent working in either:

  • an independent school
  • a further education college
  • a university
  • outside of England, with an English school identified at which you may carry out work-based study

Independent applicants are able to apply but will not be eligible for government-funded places.

Please review the selection criteria for independent applicants before applying.