Aspiring School Business Manager programme details
Are you interested in becoming a School Business Manager?
Do you want to know more about the school business manager’s role before deciding if it’s what you want to do?
The fully online Aspiring School Business Manager programme will give you the opportunity to explore the role of the school business manager (SBM), find out how the contribution of a school business manager benefits a school and how it makes a real difference to children’s learning opportunities.
If you want, or are considering, a career change to become a school business manager, or one of various similar roles offered within schools and academies, then the Aspiring School Business Manager programme is an ideal choice as it provides an introduction to the role of the school business manager. Few professions have risen so far so fast as that of the school business manager (SBM), and the importance of the role is only set to grow as schools and academies become more autonomous. See the Aspiring FAQs document (right) for more details.
Key features of our programme include:
- Fully online
- 6 - 7 week programme length
- Ideal introduction for ‘career changers’
- Online support and networking opportunities available within your learning group forums
- Stepping stone to progress to our Level 4 SBM qualification
Who can apply for the Aspiring School Business Manager programme?
The Aspiring School Business Manager programme is designed for those not already working in a school office or the education sector. Please contact us if you need to discuss your eligibility for the most appropriate programme.
Many schools now expect applicants to have at least a Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management and the Aspiring SBM programme will provide an induction into the Level 4 Diploma.
Need more information? Please see the links under Key Documents panel (on the right) to print or download helpful documents.
The following feedback is from a recent participant:
I wish to thank Doug and Kath for their wonderful teaching. I enjoyed the course so much and I can not wait to start my next course in September. The Aspiring SBM course was definitely the right choice for me as I learnt so many things in the past few weeks. I feel so confident now about my next career move; a new passion has been ignited! My tutor is very experienced and inspiring; no question was left unanswered and the level of professionalism was just fantastic! I found studying on the programme really exciting and motivating. I am certainly most impressed with the quality of teaching and course content, the wealth of resources and the level of support and encouragement from tutors. The course exceeded my expectations and I felt sad on the last class as I loved it so much! I will be back in September.. I have found my path for sure! Thank you so much- I am absolutely delighted!!!!
Upcoming schedule
Aspiring School Business Managers
- Series of live online sessions with group tutor
- Next intake start: To be confirmed - please complete the application form to express an interest.
All prices exclude (but are subject to) VAT.
Info for HTs and CoGs (October 2025)
SBMP Terms and Conditions (January 2026)
Info for HTs and Chair of Governors (October 2025)
Price List 2026 (February 2026)
What the participants think
"I just wanted to say thank you for heading up the aspiring SBM course I completed recently. The course, for me, has paid off and today I was offered my first school office manager role and as you can imagine I am overjoyed!!!"
Aspiring SBM participant
"I would just like to convey my thanks for the input you provided during this course. I found it extremely beneficial in helping me decide that being an SBM is a career move I wanted to make. I have just been successful in securing an SBM role starting in September and I really don't think I could have done it without attending the aspiring course and re-reading all the material we gathered throughout the course."
Aspiring SBM participant, to the programme facilitator
Our Programmes
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