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Level 4 programme details

ILM Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers – for new and existing school business managers

The recently-developed ILM Diploma qualifications are closely linked to the latest ISBL Professional Standards for school business managers (SBMs) and reflect the changing roles performed by school business professionals across schools and academies.

The new Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers features:

• 15-16 months study
• Accreditation by ILM
• Up-to-the-minute content
• Aligns with latest Professional Standards (ISBL)
• Blended learning (includes 4 x regional face to face sessions) or fully online pathways
• Level 4 full programmes start termly during 2020/21 – apply now
• Prices for full programmes include ILM accreditation
• Level 4 Individual Units also available (see details below) – apply now

These qualifications are designed specifically for school business professionals and aim to provide the knowledge and skills required to develop your career further. They will also enable school business management professionals to:

• manage school resources more efficiently and effectively
• evaluate the nature of school business operations within your school
• gain specialist expertise in business support services

The Level 4 Diploma programmes are open to all schools (and paid for directly by your school) and are separate from the apprenticeship scheme – they are not eligible for apprenticeship funding.

The Level 4 Diploma is open to new or aspiring school business managers, as well as those already in post as an SBM or a similar role (such as Finance Manager, Office Manager, School Administrator, Business Support Officer, Bursar, HR Manager, etc).

Further information is available in our guidance FAQs document available under Key Documents (on right of this page). See also price list (in Key Documents, right) for latest pricing information.

Why choose to study with us? Click here to find out about our specialist expertise in delivering school business management programmes. You can read a case study about the experience of one of our participants here.

Full Programme

The new Level 4 full programme consists of four mandatory units (Leading Support Services, Procurement, Finance and HR) which are studied over approximately 15-16 months using a variety of distance learning methods. These activities include interactive online units, use of online resource materials, online research and online networking through your forum areas. Assessment is mainly through unit assignments usually produced with a portfolio and submitted electronically. See more details about our e-learning areas here.

The blended learning pathway also includes four 1-day regional face-to-face workshops. Locations for these regional workshops will be confirmed after the application round has closed and you have been formally offered a place on the programme; the workshop venues are arranged regionally in England.

Planned locations for next Blended Learning cohort starting in January 2020 (locations subject to numbers):

Leeds, Warrington, Bristol, Bloomsbury

Regional venue locations may vary for each intake and are offered subject to minimum numbers (note: if there is insufficient uptake for a workshop location when we formally offer places, you will be offered a place at the next closest location).

We have delivered the blended learning face-to-face workshops in various locations across the country, from Reading to Yorkshire and from London to Warrington. At the point of offering places you will be advised of the date and exact location of all four workshops, allowing you to make an informed decision when accepting your place.

We also deliver specific local SBM groups on behalf of local authorities or academy groups (reduced rates available), please contact us for more information.

The full Level 4 Diploma programme leads to a recognised Level 4 qualification – see ILM accreditation details here.

There will be termly intakes for the full programmes (both fully online and blended learning) each year. Details regarding the next intakes can be found by scrolling to the foot of this page. You will also find application form links below.

Individual Unit

There are a number of advantages to studying an individual unit. It may be that you want to ‘test the water’ to see if the programme is right for you. Or you may like to improve your skills in a specific area. Whatever the reason, you can study individual units with the knowledge that these may count towards your final Level 4 Diploma qualification should you decide to complete the full programme later (conditions apply – see note below).

Level 4 Individual Units available in 2020:

Finance
Human Resources

If you complete a single unit, part of the price of the unit will be redeemed if you then decide to study the full programme. See price list (under Key Documents, right). Please contact us if you want to study more than one individual unit as conditions apply for those taking more than one individual unit.

Note that you will need to join a full programme group at some stage if you study one or more individual units and then wish to complete the full programme – please contact us to discuss your options.

Tip: We suggest that the most effective pathway (if you do not wish to study the full programme straightaway) is to study one IU first and then join the full programme.

The study period for individual units (IU) is approximately 14 – 16 weeks each and further details regarding the content of the units can be found in the Level 4 FAQs document (see under Key Documents on the right) . Individual units are offered subject to minimum numbers.

ILM accreditation is an extra cost for Individual Units, but if you intend to continue to the full qualification after completing a single unit it is may be more cost effective to include accreditation as part of the full programme. Please contact us to discuss your options.

For all unit study options you will need the support of a school as most study activities will involve work-based examples. To apply for an individual unit, scroll down to the date table below and click on an Apply Now button. If we don’t have an intake listed for the unit you wish to study, contact us and we’ll register your interest and give you more information.

Level 4 Blended Learning

£1664

or two staged payments of £1102 & £624

Start Date: 5th May 2020

Apply Now

All prices exclude (but are subject to VAT)

Level 4 Blended Learning

£1664

or two staged payments of £1102 & £624

Start Date: 5th May 2020

Apply Now

Level 4 Blended Learning

£1664

or two staged payments of £1102 & £624

Start Date: 5th May 2020

Apply Now

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£1644

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Apply Now

level 4 stuff here

£1644

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Apply Now

level 4 stuff here

£1644

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Apply Now

Aspiring SBM FAQs
SBM Terms and Conditions
Information for Headteachers and Chair of Governors
Price List

Useful links

ISBL (Institute for SBM profession)

What the participants think

" Last week was super productive, I registered for the CSBM. I spoke to the Head of the school and the business manager and now have a link school. The aspiring course gave me the confidence to make this step. Thank you."

Recent Aspiring Participant 2016

" 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 2016 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 Feb 2015 participant, to the programme facilitator

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