Anyone a school business manager or similar?

[frenchieshouse]

I'm really interested in this as a potential future role and just wanted some candid thoughts.

I am degree level educated and my background is in adult training and education previously and then I moved into further education management within the public sector (CPD type stuff) I now manage a function in the public sector where I am responsible for ofsted, quality, admin, compliance, governance and budgeting all for adult education. So I feel like I do a similar role in a different environment, with a strong link to the educational world, just not in education.

The reason I'm interested in this sort of role is that I'm bored, unmotivated but at the same time stressed, under pressure and over worked. I really want to be in a nicer environment and ideally would like a term time role. I currently work from home and I just find it so boring and draining being on my own all day. I'm good at my job, but I really like being around people and having a place or community to care about, rather than just pencil pushing from home. I am happy to work hard and be challenged, and be involved in a variety of things.

I always wanted to be a teacher, but I don't think I have it in me to retrain and there are aspects of the job that put me off. I'm also on around £45k at the moment so I'm aware that all of this would be a step down in salary, including a school business manager role. However, working in a term time role and being part of a school community would, I think, for me outweigh the salary step down.

I can't currently afford this but once both my children are at school soon this would be possible. I am wanting any views of those in this role as I am keen to do plenty of research, I don't want to sacrifice my earnings for what ends up being a wrong move. However, I am so unhappy at the moment sat in front of my laptop on my own at home all the time! I don't know how people do it!!

I think you sound absolutely perfect for the role OP (and I'm ex HR and office manager) I think you would get it too.

I’m not but I work closely with ours. From what I can see is it’s a pretty stressful role - maybe because budgets are SO tight and staff shortages are high.

Thanks @Crikeyalmighty that's really encouraging! I am concerned that I don't have the in school experience but I feel I would adapt well to that. Good to know thank you!

It sounds like you have great experience. It's not a term time only role in the school I work in though (secondary)

@EssexCat that's useful to know, I can imagine it's pretty stressful. My current role is pretty stressful and I find it a really weird dynamic being effectively on my own in a corner WFH all day, very isolated, but also stressed and way more work than capacity. It really makes me switch off and just do the bare minimum which generally isn't like me. I think I'd rather be a bit stressed but with other humans and able to talk and see people.

I like being busy and I feel like I would benefit from the buzz of a school environment, and I love kids but don't want to make the jump to teaching, so feels like a good middle ground.

@Allmarbleslost thank you. Yes I've seen some advertised as term time and some not. I would be holding out for a term time role and ideally primary and a smaller school, as I think that would be a nicer environment than a larger school or secondary.

I understand that will limit me but I'm willing to bide my time!

@EssexCat also to say my current role is in public sector so budgets are equally tight and nobody can ever help or do anything additional, so I don't think that would be a shock!

I am an SBM in a primary school, have been in the job for a year and was totally thrown in the deep end. I’ve learnt A LOT in the last year, my contract is term time only but I’ve put in some many extra hours to make this work for me. The amount of reading of policies and DfE guidance, grants etc it’s never ending

after a year I do feel like I’m starting to enjoy it but the worst thing for me is there are never enough hours in the day, I am always behind. Realistically this job should be all year round but due to such tight budgets, it was set at term time only. It sounds like you have the perfect skills for the job, you certainly won’t get bored and it’s lovely to have the kids around and remember why you’re doing it

The role really varies, in some schools it will be much more of a finance role in others you will oversee lots of other areas. Very unusual to be term time only though. I think the smaller schools have the more demanding roles as you need to wear so many hats whereas a big secondary you would be very focused on budgets. Often they want an accountancy qualification too.

@Beansprout30 thanks that's all so useful! Great to know that you are now enjoying it.

My current job feels like there aren't enough hours in the day either, always behind and always so many things people would like but there no time/money/resource so I am very used to that environment.

I really would enjoy being in that environment and part of a school community I think.

Thanks!

@frankgu thank you, I think I am more looking for a primary role where it is more varied and not solely focussed on finance. Most of the primary roles that I have seen advertised in my area are term time only. I haven't got an accountancy qualification and I think if the role was solely finance focussed this wouldn't appeal to me anyway.

Maybe look at office manager roles in schools as well if you like been around people.

@frenchieshouse where are you can I ask? I'm surprised that so many are tto as that's pretty unusual.

@frankgu yes that's also a role I have seen advertised. Yorkshire area, I have seen a couple of roles that are full year but most primarily roles I have seen have been term time. I haven't applied for anything but just keep my eyes peeled for now as to what's out there! It does seem to depend on whether the school is part of an academy or not.

good luck

SBM is quite a demanding role in my Primary school- but it also has lots of benefits. It's mostly term time only, it's in a busy school office where lots of the staff are constantly popping in and out to use the photo copier and for other admin needs and you'll be part of a close team with the Head Teacher, Chair of Governors, etc. School staff are mostly lovely friendly people. You'll get to see the kids too. It can be hard to get your work done as you don't have a private space and get interrupted a lot.

I’d recommend getting some sort of finance qual as it’s likely to be an integral part of the role.

If you aren’t a spreadsheet guru then I would spend some time getting skilled with that too.

I’d recommend becoming a school governor in a primary school if that’s your preferred area, as then you can access all of the LA training. There’s lots you can do that would be a real asset to a SBM.

You seem keen on education and that is great. Have you considered working as a Practice Manager for a GP practice? Just in case the right school job doesn’t come up?

In which case I think it’d definitely be a
good shout for you to go into.

I think it’d be tough to go from fully funded private sector to education!

I love working in a school environment, albeit very part-time, it’s great to work with children without actually teaching them!

Lots of primary schools are joining academy trusts and lots of school business manager roles are becoming finance roles with HR outsourced.

Ive worked in a nice primary school and environment was my favourite, it was a great, dynamic atmosphere and the SBM role is very varied and you've got lots of useful experience. Working in the public sector, you're already used to constant budget constraints, so I think you'd be an ideal candidate.

Definitely focus on finding the right school with an open and supportive Head.

I’m a finance manager in a multi academy trust, our SBMs oversee the operations side so although they are budget holders, they don’t need accountancy qualifications as we do all the finance centrally. They are full year round roles (secondary) and very very busy (lots of unpaid overtime) but they seem to really enjoy their role. They earn £47k plus, though SBM salaries do seem to vary significantly from posts I’ve seen advertised.

We can’t keep BM at my primary as the wages we can afford to offer just doesn’t seem to get anyone good or they are good but quickly leave! The problem is the salary sounds good but because it’s term time only, it’s pro rata so the salary isn’t good.

Hi, I was about to say the same as a pp - many SBM roles are being carried out centrally by MATs now, with more junior posts in schools. Have you considered governance posts? It’s an interesting and varied area and there are often opportunities for progression/higher salaries available in Governance Manager roles within MATs. There may be more scope for term time only, too.

Hey, I am a SBM in a primary too and would be interested in grants accessing for my school, there is so much work needed and not enough money , any ideas where to look up ? many thanks xx

Hi

I know this post is old but after some advice. I have an interview coming up for a finance manager role in a secondary school, an academy. Any advice on what to expect? What the in tray exercise could be?

my background is SME finance and I haven’t been exposed to handling large budgets. Worried I’ll be out of my depth but really keen to learn.