NEW BUSINESS MANAGER TRIALS

Released 02/10/2008

The latest advanced roles have been launched

A new wave of trials of the high-level school business manager role has been launched.

Trials of the Advanced School Business Manager (ASBM) and School Business Director (SBD) roles have been launched in almost 100 schools.

If successful, they would work with groups of schools of various sizes, ranging from small groups of primary schools, to larger federations and trusts led by secondary schools.

The six projects unveiled today will involve up to 95 schools or 30,000 pupils in urban, rural and semi-rural settings across five government office regions.

The latest demonstration projects unveiled today are: Furness Collaborative Learning Trust, Cumbria; Titan Partnership, Birmingham; North Pennine Learning Partnership Trust, Northumberland; North Bedfordshire Schools Trust; Litcham Cluster, Norfolk; and Wellacre Business Management Support Partnership, Greater Manchester

Each project consists of a cluster of 3-19 schools. All involve primary and secondary schools operating together, with some also including technical colleges, special schools and children's centres.

Toby Salt, deputy chief executive of NCSL, said: "Properly deployed school business managers have the potential to transform schools by freeing up headteachers to refocus on what they do best - lead teaching and learning.

"The headteacher's role has grown significantly over the years, particularly in the primary sector and this initiative could enable the vast majority of schools to access a highly skilled SBM operating across groups of schools.

"The new roles would also bring additional expertise, rigour and strategic insight to improve the effective operation and leadership of a school. That can only mean one thing - better attainment and outcomes for more of our children and young people."

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