Insight

Simplify SBP Training: Onefile’s Smart Tools for Smarter Delivery

When we think about a school-based career we tend to only consider jobs in teaching and learning support.

There are, however, other rewarding roles in schools that don’t entail being in front of the class, such as school business professional (SBP)

This occupation, unique to schools, requires a combination of good leadership, admin, support and management skills – and for those interested in pursuing it as a career, there’s a specific apprenticeship.

School business professional level 4 apprenticeship

This level 4 course typically takes 18 months to complete, not counting EPA, and qualifies for maximum funding of £6,000. There are currently just over 40 training organisations in England offering it – including several colleges and local authorities – with some providing all the training in the apprentice’s workplace.

Professional development organisation Adfecto, public services management company Serco and NASBM, the National Association of School Business Management, were all involved in creating the standard along with schools and academies trusts.

What does an SBP do?

This job role is found in primary, secondary and special schools, including schools that are run by single or multi academy trusts as well as those maintained by the local authority.

Reporting to the head teacher or School Business Director (SBD) an SBP has a wide and varied remit, taking on key non-teaching responsibilities that shape the school’s day to day activity.

These can include drafting and monitoring the school’s budget, managing the school site – overseeing contractors such as maintenance and catering staff – and managing payroll and maintaining accounts. An SBP will also manage office and other support personnel, maintain admin systems such as student records, prepare marketing materials and ensure health and safety measures are complied with.

As SBPs interact with school stakeholders to advise on and manage school business practices, they need to understand educational issues as well as business management. They must also grasp the importance of their role in relation to school governance and compliance and in ensuring the effective use of public funds.

What KSBs must an SBP have?

An SBP will be required to know about finance, procurement, HR, managing support services, governance and risk as well as marketing, infrastructure and ethical standards.

Among the skills an SBP apprentice will learn are:

Financial and Operational Management, including drafting budgets, accurately recording and reporting accounts and completing pre-audit checks.

Project Management – such as planning, organising and managing processes to ensure value for money for the school, using multiple IT packages and preparing and collating reporting data.

Change Management, embracing change in a school and influencing others in a positive manner and working constructively within a team.

Communication and Relationship Building, including communicating appropriately and effectively with a range of stakeholders such as students, parents, governors/trustees, staff, government and local government departments.

Strategic Management, including managing support services across an entire school while also providing guidance to colleagues on the most appropriate use of school funds.

Suitable candidates will be self-motivated and supportive of others, with a willingness to be a catalyst for change. Resilient, and able to make decisions, they will be confident, open and approachable when dealing with others. They will also be collaborative, consulting and seeking other peoples’ views and valuing diversity.

After they’ve completed the apprenticeship, candidates can become a Full Member of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL – formerly National Association of School Business Management) Once qualified, an SBP can potentially progress to other senior or strategic roles in schools such as SBM, finance manager, HR manager, school administrator and bursar.

Go to the top of the class with Onefile’s edtech

As you can clearly see, this apprenticeship calls for a raft of strong administrative, financial, communication and interpersonal skills, with most of the SBP candidates’ learning taking place in a busy school environment.

Fortunately, Onefile’s wide experience of the schools’ sector and its array of user-friendly edtech tools and systems can lessen the load for apprentices, their training providers and employees.