School Business Manager Diploma

LastWordsOfALiar · 2022-09-09T19:28:09+00:00

Hi! Has anyone here done the SBM Diploma level 4? If so, was it with SBMPartnership? I'd like to do the course but I'm not sure if it's a reputable organisation and would love some feedback from anyone who's done it! Thank you!

Blastandbollocks · 09/09/2022 20:29

Yes.

Did it with Serco, but you do need to be working in a school for the project section.

Original poster

LastWordsOfALiar · 09/09/2022 20:32

Blastandbollocks · 09/09/2022 20:29

Yes.

Did it with Serco, but you do need to be working in a school for the project section.

I'm working in a school. It's just so far the course seems a bit sketchy (payment side is via Serco) and it's proving difficult to even pay for the course!

Did you do the fully online option?

How did you find the course? Was it ok managing that alongside work? Did you get much support? Were the assessments manageable?

OP posts:

simonsaysquack · 09/09/2022 20:35

I've done it too, but via the apprenticeship levy. If you're a school under the local authority you should be able to access the levy and therefore have no fees to pay.

Original poster

LastWordsOfALiar · 09/09/2022 20:38

simonsaysquack · 09/09/2022 20:35

I've done it too, but via the apprenticeship levy. If you're a school under the local authority you should be able to access the levy and therefore have no fees to pay.

I've never heard of it. But we're an academy. I'm self funding 🙁

OP posts:

simonsaysquack · 09/09/2022 20:48

It's definitely worth exploring if your Academy is a part of it - www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-apprenticeship-levy

Here's the ISBL info on it too isbl.org.uk/apprenticeships/

As for the course work, most of the time it fit quite well with my work only occasionally needing to catch up at weekends at pinch points like year end and census time.

Original poster

LastWordsOfALiar · 09/09/2022 20:50

simonsaysquack · 09/09/2022 20:48

It's definitely worth exploring if your Academy is a part of it - www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-apprenticeship-levy

Here's the ISBL info on it too isbl.org.uk/apprenticeships/

As for the course work, most of the time it fit quite well with my work only occasionally needing to catch up at weekends at pinch points like year end and census time.

Thank you so much!

I will. I think I'll delay the course for a few months so I can see if there's a way to get it funded!

OP posts:

Blastandbollocks · 09/09/2022 21:32

I did mine in 2017/8. Yes a bit dodgy (one invoice and minimal contact re invoice details!).

However it was all online. The first tutor I had was okay (but left), the second was terrible (I made a complaint), and the third excellent.

I'm glad I did it, but... I've worked in three schools, 1 SEN, 2 primary, and can say that what the course said was relevant... really wasn't - or at least only marginally. Colleagues in secondary say much the same.

It was all about managing projects, HR reconciliation, and quite high level stuff which, in reality (at least for me) sat with the Trust/Governors rather than me. The budget was good but would really well have been served by a good accounting course. The project management was mainly common sense.

It doesn't cover Census, absence management and all the day to day stuff that is actually part of the role. How to work out what your Pupil premium allocation/Sports Premium is, what it should be and what you can cover with it.

It's nice to have, but actually not fantastic in the real world.

Original poster

LastWordsOfALiar · 09/09/2022 21:36

Blastandbollocks · 09/09/2022 21:32

I did mine in 2017/8. Yes a bit dodgy (one invoice and minimal contact re invoice details!).

However it was all online. The first tutor I had was okay (but left), the second was terrible (I made a complaint), and the third excellent.

I'm glad I did it, but... I've worked in three schools, 1 SEN, 2 primary, and can say that what the course said was relevant... really wasn't - or at least only marginally. Colleagues in secondary say much the same.

It was all about managing projects, HR reconciliation, and quite high level stuff which, in reality (at least for me) sat with the Trust/Governors rather than me. The budget was good but would really well have been served by a good accounting course. The project management was mainly common sense.

It doesn't cover Census, absence management and all the day to day stuff that is actually part of the role. How to work out what your Pupil premium allocation/Sports Premium is, what it should be and what you can cover with it.

It's nice to have, but actually not fantastic in the real world.

That's really helpful.

I'm using it to progress into a SBM role from an office based role. Are you working as a SBM? If so, can I ask how you got into it? Did you have the qualification already?

OP posts:

Blastandbollocks · 10/09/2022 06:38

I've sent you a PM.