School business professionals: training and development
Sources of training and development for school business professionals (SBPs) in schools and trusts.
Applies to England
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
SBPs play a vital role in ensuring that the focus of a school or trust 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:
- peer networks to help schools and trusts work together and share their knowledge
- resources on workload and wellbeing for school staff
Qualification bursaries
Applications for bursaries are currently closed. This page will be updated when we have more information about future rounds of bursaries.
We fund bursaries covering 75% of the cost for SBPs 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 (about 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 or colleagues within their region. The workshops run for up to 3 hours and are available for up to 30 attendees per session.
To find out more information on hosting a session, email training@isbl.org.uk or sbp.policy@education.gov.uk.
SBP procurement and contract management training
CIPS Procurement Fundamentals training
The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Procurement Fundamentals training is a facilitated, one-day (6 hours) virtual workshop covering essential procurement processes and techniques. The training is particularly suitable for school business professionals undertaking procurement as part of their role and procurement specialists new to the role. It will provide all participants with an understanding of the fundamental principles of procurement.
We are now offering more fully-funded sessions across 10 dates in the summer term. Places are limited. Apply for a place using the DfE-funded CIPS Procurement Fundamentals training: application form.
Cabinet Office Contract Management training (foundation level)
You can access contract management foundation level training through the Government 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. Email academy.questions@education.gov.uk for more 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
- Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply is the professional body for those in procurement
- Confederation of School Trusts is the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England
- ISBL represents and supports SBPs 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.
We do not endorse any particular organisation. You should follow your procurement process if you choose to buy any of the services offered.
Updates to this page
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Updated to reflect applications for fully-funded CIPS Procurement Fundamentals training are open.
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Removed information about webinars that have taken place.
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We've updated the SBP procurement training section to include details about fully funded places on sector-specific training delivered by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).
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Added new sections on 'School business professional procurement training' and 'Estate management: competency framework and relevant training'.
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Updated to show applications for bursaries are currently closed. This page will be updated when we have more information about future rounds of bursaries.
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We have updated this page to reflect our current offer of training and development support for school business professionals, including information on the bursaries, training workshops, webinars and mentoring opportunities that are available.
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Updated the examples of national professional qualifications and specialist qualifications.
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Added a link to free training on ICFP for school leaders.
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Qualifications added to 'Specialist qualifications' section.
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First published.