Jump to content

research associates

Supporting an ADSBM applicant?

Read our information for headteachers and chairs of governors.

Looking to recruit a school business manager?

Use our resources to help you attract, retain and develop the right school business manager for your school.

ADSBM programme details

The Advanced Diploma of School Business Management (ADSBM) comprises five phases broken down into six modules. There is a time commitment of approximately 8–12 hours per week to complete the programme.

Learning methods involved in completing the modules are:

  • a one-day workshop and three two-day residential face-to-face workshops
  • school-based projects
  • online assessed modules
  • guided independent research activities
  • online and wider programme reading
  • contributions to the online networking environment – a protected area allowing you to debate issues and learn from other SBMs
Programme element Details
Phase 1: online induction Phase 1 is an online introduction to the programme, with a number of activities designed to encourage participants to engage with the online environment. This phase involves completion of an online module.
Phase 2: preparatory phase Phase 2 enables participants to define their starting point for professional learning as an advanced school business manager (SBM). This phase involves a one-day workshop.
Phase 3: diagnostic phase

Phase 3 focuses on the key role of SBMs in enabling effective learning and teaching to take place across the school. It also looks at the different aspects of resource management, and the use of data to inform decisions to secure the improvement of the school. This phase involves a two-day residential workshop.

Modules covered in this phase are:

  • enabling learning
  • measuring school performance
Phase 4: exploratory phase

Phase 4 focuses on organisational transformation and leadership. It introduces the broader conceptual frameworks that underpin the programme; the key national, local and organisational trends and policies impacting on schools in the 21st century. Through this phase participants have the opportunity to research new fields of study, and to refine contested concepts and policy perspectives. This phase involves a two-day residential workshop.

Modules covered in this phase are:

  • transforming organisations
  • understanding the leadership of organisations
Phase 5: planning phase

Phase 5 gives participants the opportunity to develop their skills in key areas of the advanced SBM role, enabling effective teaching and learning to take place across the school. The key purpose of this phase is to develop the professional and technical skills required to lead and manage initiatives that will lead to; income generation, sponsored innovation, service improvement and efficiency gains. This phase involves a two-day residential workshop.

Modules covered in this phase are:

  • managing strategic finances
  • managing programmes

Further details about the ADSBM module content.

Details of the ADSBM cancellation policy.