1. Who should attend the Bursar Development Programme?
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has agreed to fund this programme for all practising bursars and SBMs in England, within the maintained sector and those seeking a bursar or SBM position within the maintained sector. Applicants are welcome from elsewhere, for example the independent sector or from overseas.
2. Will Fast Track teachers have access to the courses?
No. The courses are not targeted at teachers.
3. Do applicants need to have Qualified Teacher Status?
No. The courses are not targeted at teachers.
4. Does my headteacher have to recommend me for this programme?
You should have the support of the headteacher and the chair of governors from the school that is supporting you. All applicants (including DCSF and local authority (LA) participants) will have to submit a supporting letter from the supporting school in order for their online application to be considered. It is very important that your headteacher and chair of governors read the document below prior to you commencing the programme. This document includes sample letters of support for both programmes.
Important information for headteachers and chairs of governors 
(512kb, 4 pages).
5. I work in a Pupil Referral Unit which do not have headteachers or governors. Who do I need to sign my letter of support?
The chief executive of the Unit must sign your letter of support.
6. Currently I do not work in a school. Can my application be considered?
The programme is practice-based and requires that you have access to a school’s resources so that you can write a case study or project report for your final work submission.
If you are an external applicant not working in a school, we ask that you contact the Bursar Development Programme team prior to making an application. You should submit a summary CV (one A4 sheet ONLY) via email detailing your professional background and future aspirations to [email protected] quoting ‘CSBM External’. This information will help us to gauge how to assist you further in your application to the programme, and should not be considered an application in itself.
On being awarded a place on the CSBM or DSBM, all participants who are awarded places via the outside manager initiative attend a two-day induction workshop prior to starting the course.
7. I do not quite meet 100% of the eligibility criteria – will you still consider my application?
Depending on your level of experience it may still be possible to apply. For further details, please contact the Bursar team directly on 0115 872 2550.
8. Are there any pre-requisite programmes I must complete before I can do the programme?
To apply for the DSBM, one of the statements in section 1 and at least one statement from section 2 must apply to you.
Section 1
Section 2
9. Is the Bursar Development Programme a pre-requisite for any other programmes?
There are several higher education courses that accept the DSBM as prior learning. Further details of some of these can be found on the Related courses page.
10. I’m not sure this is the right programme for me – who can advise me?
Please refer to the eligibility criteria for each programme. If you do require further information, please contact the bursar team at [email protected].
11. How computer literate do I need to be?
You should be familiar and comfortable with using a computer and the internet and have access to a computer. The minimum specification for a personal computer (PC) is a Pentium II at 233MHz or higher. You will also need:
12. I need more information about eligibility for DSBM. Where can I get this?
More information is available on the Eligibility page.
Go to the How to apply page. When an application round is open, there is a link to the online application form there. Complete the form, ensuring all the mandatory fields are completed (mandatory fields are marked with a star). When your application has been successfully submitted, the last page of the form will contain a confirmation message informing you that your application has been received.
If you are an external applicant not working in a school we ask that you contact the BDP team prior to making an application.
Before completing the form, have the following information to hand:
2. Can I access a printable copy of the application form?
Unfortunately the application form isn’t printable and must be completed and submitted online.
3. Can I submit a hard copy application instead of an online application?
We can only accept applications that are submitted via the online form.
4. Does this programme accept applications from both groups and individuals?
This programme can only accept applications from individuals and each applicant must submit their own supporting letter. We are unable to accept a supporting letter that covers a number of applicants from one school.
5. Can I apply for any of the listed national programmes, or am I restricted to the venues that are supplied by the delivery provider for my area?
If your application is accepted your training provider will contact you to provide details of the training course within your government region. Should you be unable to attend the course in your own region, you may be able to change region but this must be agreed with your training provider.
6. What happens after I’ve submitted my application?
An email will be automatically sent out once the applicant has successfully completed the online application form, informing him or her that the application has been submitted successfully to NCSL.
The applicant will know whether they have been successful once the application sift is performed by your training provider, approximately two months after the application closing date.
7. When does the next application round begin?
For the DSBM, there is one intake per year which is usually in autumn.
Details of the application rounds for the DSBM cohorts will be published on the How to apply page of our website.
8. When is the deadline for submitting applications?
Closing dates for applications (which includes submission of your letter of support) will be published on our website (www.bestukbettingsitesnotongamstop.co.com/bursar). These dates will vary depending on which cohort you are applying for.
9. What happens if I miss the deadline?
If you have not submitted your supporting documentation by the closing date your application will be declined, however it will automatically be put forward for the next cohort provided your supporting information is received.
If you have not completed the online application form in time, you will need to apply when applications open for the next cohort.
10. Is the number of places available restricted and, if so, is there a waiting list?
The number of places available in each Government Office Area (GOA) will be calculated on the basis of demand in terms of the number of applications received in each area: North West, North East, Yorkshire and Humberside, East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands, South West, South East and London.
DCSF has asked NCSL to ensure that places are made available so that the training provided has the maximum impact. The current position is that in general, larger (secondary) schools have bursarial support whilst smaller (primary or special) schools do not. Also, the national agreement highlights the need to attract managers from outside education where they have expertise to contribute effectively to schools’ leadership teams. Consequently, NCSL will prioritise applications as follows.
Priority group 1 Reserves from previous cohort
Priority group 2 Defers from previous cohort
Priority group 3 Managers from outside education
Priority group 4 Unemployed applicants
Priority group 5 Special schools
Priority group 6 Pupil referral units
Priority group 7 Primary, nursery or infant schools
Priority group 8 local authorities
Priority group 9 DCSF
Priority group 10 Middle schools
Priority group 11 Secondary schools
In some circumstances, NCSL may adjust the order of these priority groups so that Government Office Areas are allocated a reasonable diversity of participants. This will help to avoid tutor groups being filled with participants from the same school phase, since this is likely to inhibit the learning experience.
Applicants from the previous intake who were reserves and did not secure a place will be guaranteed a place in the following intake. Those applicants on the previous intakes’ defer and reserve lists do not need to reapply.
In the event that NCSL receives more applications than the available places, those applicants on the deferred list from the previous cohort will be offered a place on the following intake. The remaining places will then be offered to applicants according to the categories prioritised by the DCSF (see above). NCSL will try to ensure that the applicant is assigned to the nearest training venue to his or her local authority.
11. I would like to work with a colleague school business manager. Is this possible?
If you are within the same government region and are accepted on the same cohort you may be able to attend the residential sessions together. As part of the programme we encourage participants to contact colleagues on a national and local level via our online community, talk2learn.
12. I have just completed the online registration for the DSBM programme. Does this application mean I am registered or will I have to undergo any further assessment?
You will need to provide a letter of support signed by your head teacher and chair of the governors and APEL if required.
After the closing date, your training provider will begin sifting through the applications according to the criteria set by the DCSF. The criteria are explained in more detail above. Once all the places have been allocated, your training provider will contact all applicants via email with the outcome of their application.
13. Will there be any briefings or taster sessions for DSBM prior to application?
NCSL’s training providers run taster sessions from time-to-time to provide potential participants with the opportunity to obtain more first-hand information about NCSL.
Details of where and when tasters are running can be obtained by contacting the training provider within your GOA.
1. Do I need to know who my mentor will be before I apply?
DSBM applicants will need to indicate on their supporting letter that a mentor will be allocated.
External participants will be supported to find a suitable mentor and supporting school.
2. Who should be my mentor and who decides this?
Your mentor should be someone who will be able to support you with the programme and help you to apply your learning to the context of the school you are in. For external participants, the mentor should be an experienced school business manager who has preferably completed one or both of the NCSL Bursar programmes.
3. What does the role of the in-school mentor involve?
The mentor should discuss the development and progress of the participant with them on a regular basis. Usually a 10-30 minute catch-up is all that’s required each month.
1. What is the overall time commitment for this programme?
It is anticipated that the DSBM will total 240 hours of study as follows.
2. How long is the programme? How many residential days are there?
The DSBM programme can be completed in 9-12 months, but participants must complete within 12 months of starting the programme.
The programme consists of six days of residential or face-to-face sessions:
3. Do I have to attend all sessions?
Yes, in order to successfully complete the programme you will be required to attend all of the face-to-face sessions.
4. What are the composition and size of the cohorts?
5. What is the structure of the programme?
The DSBM programme has been designed as a blended learning programme involving a range of learning methods. These include six days of residential face-to-face sessions, scenario-based e-learning sessions, (delivered via NCSL’s virtual learning environment known as the Learning Gateway), school-based projects and private study. The DSBM is accredited by the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM).
6. Are there phase-specific facilitator groups?
Whilst it is always possible that a tutor group may be made up of a specific phase, an evaluation of the programme indicates that there are significant benefits in participants coming from different phases, eg different approaches within phases to resolve specific problems. Consequently we do not encourage phase-specific tutor groups.
7. What support is available throughout the programme?
Participants can track their progress online throughout the course using NCSL’s Learning Gateway. This is a tool that participants use to work through the modules. Progress is also fed back by the facilitators at residential sessions, personal tutorial sessions, the case study and project work and the leadership learning portfolio.
8. Are there any assessed activities or pieces of work?
For DSBM, you will need to complete three project reports and a leadership learning portfolio (LLP) which is a diary detailing how and what you have learned.
9. What other programmes, events or resources are available to me in this area?
Participants can read around the subject, eg books and articles on school business management:
Davies, B & Ellison, L, 1999, Strategic Direction and Development of the School, London, Routledge
Fidler, B, 2002, Strategic Management for School Development, London, Sage
Garratt, B (ed.), 1996, Developing Strategic Thought, London, HarperCollins
Mintzberg, H, Ahlstrand, B & Lampel, J, 1998, Strategy Safari, London, Prentice Hall
O’Sullivan, F, Thody, A & Wood, L, 2000, From Bursar to School Business Manager: reengineering leadership for resource management, London, Prentice Hall
Preedy, M, Glatter, R & Wise, C (eds), 2003, Strategic Leadership and Educational Improvement, London, The Open University Press and Chapman Publishing
Useful reading can be found on the following websites:
Links to related courses and relevant publications can be found on our website at the links below:
1. How do I access the online communities and materials?
Once the participant has been accepted on to the programme, the training provider will send a joining pack detailing dates of the face-to-face workshops, venue, pre-reading materials, etc.
All of the course materials are available on the learning gateway and you will receive a username and password to this approximately three weeks prior to the start of the course. Hard copies of participant handbooks will be issued at the first face-to-face session.
2. Do I have to use the online facilities?
You will need to access the workbooks for each module online, however these can be printed. As part of your LLP you will need to show evidence of participation in talk2learn.
3. Where can I get technical support for problems with online materials/access?
Contact the NCSL helpdesk on 0845 609 0009.
4. Will the facilitators be there to help me online?
Yes, every tutor group will have its own pages within talk2learn and you can contact your facilitator via these.
5. Do I have to pay for materials?
No – they are included in the cost of the course, however you will be required to meet the printing costs of some materials.
6. Can I use the materials afterwards in my school setting?
We will require that you agree that the course materials remain the intellectual property of the college.
1. How much does this programme cost?
The course is fully funded for most participants. However, if you are required to pay, the cost for the 2008/09 intake is set at £3,100 for the DSBM.
2. Are there any grants available?
The course is fully funded for certain participants as per the table below. If you are eligible for funding, the DCSF will pay the enrolment fee directly to NCSL. In any other case, you should investigate who will meet payment for the programme, eg employer or the participant. More details are available on the Cost page.
3. Can I claim for the costs of supply cover and travel when I attend the programme?
NCSL will not meet supply cover costs.
Travel and subsistence will not be met unless under exceptional circumstances. Each exceptional case will be considered individually and will fall under NCSL’s external travel and subsistence policy if it is deemed a valid claim. Please note travel and subsistence costs will not be paid for overseas participants.
Exceptional circumstances are as follows.
4. What is the policy for charging, supply cover and travel for small schools?
NCSL will not meet supply cover costs.
Small schools with less than 100 pupils are able to claim travel and subsistence costs as per the NCSL external travel and subsistence policy.
5. What is the charging policy for independent and overseas schools?
Independent and overseas participants will be required to meet the full costs of the programme and will be informed of the precise payment arrangements soon after the closing date of the application
round. However, payment in full will be requested prior to the participant’s attending the first event, unless there are exceptional circumstances, which will be determined on an individual basis by NCSL.
1. Can the DSBM programme contribute any credit towards an MA?
The DSBM is recognised by a number of higher education institutions as equivalent to the second year of a first degree course.
2. Will I receive any form of accreditation for completing the programme?
On completion of the DSBM, the successful participant will receive a Diploma of School Business Management and the IAM Advanced Diploma in Administrative Management.
3. How can I become a facilitator on this programme?
If you are interested in becoming a facilitator on the programme, please contact your training provider.
4. Are there any other related opportunities available to me?
Please visit the page about related courses for further information.