School business professionals (SBPs) lead the financial and operational management of schools and trusts. An SBP often has responsibility for a school’s or trust’s:

• operational leadership
• finance
• procurement
• estate management
• marketing and communications
• human resources

They play a vital role in ensuring that the school’s or trust’s focus remains on improving educational outcomes.

Continued investment in their professional development and training is essential.

The Department for Education (DfE) currently provides training and development to SBPs working in local authority maintained schools and academy trusts.

There are also:

• resources, tools and case studies on school resource management
• peer networks to help schools and trusts work together and share their knowledge
• resources on workload and wellbeing for school staff

Qualification bursaries

We fund bursaries covering 75% of the cost for SPBs to complete the Level 7 Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.

To be eligible for a bursary, you must be employed in a maintained school or an academy trust.

You must also confirm that:

• your employer endorses the training and will allow you the time to complete it
• you or your employer can meet the remaining cost of £915
• you can commit to the full duration of the course (approximately 12 months)

Bursaries are limited. If you wish to apply, email sbp.policy@education.gov.uk for more information.

Training workshops

We fund in-person training workshops, delivered by the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL).).

These are available to trusts and regional network groups who would be interested in facilitating a workshop for their SBPs and/oror colleagues within their region. The workshops run for up to 3 hours and are available for up to 30 attendees per session.

See the ISBL’s website for details of the current workshops available.

To find out more information on hosting a session, email training@isbl.org.uk or sbp.policy@education.gov.uk.

School resource management webinars

We provide a series of live schoolwebinars resourcethat managementare webinars.free-to-access Theseacross area free-to-access,range hour-longof sessionstopics aimed at:at supporting:

• SBPs
• school leaders
• governors
• trustees

YouView can view the upcoming webinars and register foronline.

SBP procurement training

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) accreditation programmes help schools and trusts make the sessionsmost of their budgets and develop procurement skills for day-to-day management.

Investing in commercial capability helps you:

• become a smarter buyer
• manage resources more efficiently
• achieve better value for money on thenon-staff spending

By developing these skills, your school resourcecan managementdirect website.more resources toward improving educational outcomes for pupils.

You can alsoaccess viewCIPS recordingstraining ofthrough previousthe webinarsGovernment Commercial College. You will need to register to use the site.

Estate management: competency framework and relevant training

Guidance on the functions, skills, knowledge and training needed to manage the school estate. The Estate management competency framework helps schools to recruit and develop the essential levels of skills and competencies for estate management roles.

SBP mentoring

As part of the school resource management advisers (SRMA) programme, we offer a free one-to-one mentoring programme for SBPs.

This programme helps to build SBPs’ knowledge, ability and confidence through establishing a supportive peer-to-peer relationship with experienced professionals.

Places are limited. To learn more and determine if this is suitable for you, email Email academy.questions@education.gov.uk and for wemore will send you further details. information.

Further sources of training and development

The following organisations provide training and development for school and trust leaders:

• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy is the professional body for those in public finance
• Confederation of School Trusts is the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England
• ISBL represents and supports SPBs and has published professional standards for the profession
• local authorities often offer training in financial management for their local schools and to other schools and trusts too

This list is not exhaustive. Other organisations provide training and support that may meet your needs.