SBM funding

Released 09/03/2010

Details released

Primary schools across England will soon be able to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to improve their school business management capacity.

The grants will be delivered through the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children Services, and are part of a raft of measures announced at the weekend to improve efficiency in the education sector.

Secretary of State Ed Balls announced £5m to fund 250 school business managers next year, each working with four or five schools, with a further 250 more in each of the following three years.

The College will issue a prospectus inviting schools/groups of schools to apply for support. Successful school applicants will receive funding in the form of a two stage grant. The grant, up to £20k, will be then be paid directly to schools.

Schools or school groups will be able to decide how the grant is spent - whether to invest in training for an existing SBM to become an SBD, for example, or to part-fund a new SBD/SBM.

A spokesperson for the College said the proposals have been based on findings from the recent demonstration projects of SBD and ASBM roles. "We have already identified a number of demonstration projects who will be open to support these new school groups. In addition our SBM Advocates will play a key role in generating interest and guiding and supporting these projects," the spokeperson explained. The College has made a commitment to ensure that at least one cluster of schools in each local authority benefits from a grant.

Toby Salt, deputy chief executive of the National College, commented: "It's vital that schools start planning today to secure maximum value for money from their budgets tomorrow. While it's extremely encouraging that many schools are reaping the benefits of school business managers, not least their ability to free up a heads time so they can focus on teaching and learning, there are still far too many are not realising their full potential.

"This is not just a question of value for money. Effective financial management means that we can be assured our schools will continue to deliver the best possible outcomes for our children and young people in the tough times ahead."

This funding will be in addition to the free consultancy advice that all schools can access on how best to save money.

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