An SBM is for life, not just for budget time

Released 09/04/2010

SBMs can do much more than save money, says Suzannah Wright

We need more business managers, says Mick Brookes of the NAHT. You're right, Mick, say frazzled headteachers and cash strapped schools across the country.

But we also need more support for business managers, clearer ideas of what business manager should be, and a higher status for business managers within schools.

In a recent interview, SBM Michael Unsworth told me he thinks we need a clearer link between qualifications, role and salary for business managers so that the standard across the country is more uniform. It's no good expecting someone with limited procurement training to come in and sort out complicated leasing and tender processes - we need to ensure that all bursars and SBMs are properly trained and supported to serve schools.

And in many ways this is happening with great work being done by the NASBM and National College to outline career paths for SBMs, and a variety of courses on offer for managers at all levels.

But are qualifications enough? If SBMs are to have a real effect they need to be seen as key leaders in the school and not just someone on hand to take over when things get too financial for headteachers

In her latest diary (which you can read in our May issue - click here if you're not yet subscribed) our regular writer Maria Morris expressed concern that many of her bursar and business manager colleagues aren't on the schools Senior Leadership Team. How can a manager truly understand the needs of the school, and manage resources to meet those needs, without regular input and discussion with other leaders?

School business managers do save schools money, and they can help to avoid procurement nightmares which see schools pay £250,000 for three photocopiers. But they can do much more than that - a good SBM can help a school develop and improve in a variety of ways and they deserve recognition for the vital role they play across the school, not just in the finance office.

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