Internal applicants

Internal applicants are those already employed as a school business manager (SBM) or in a related role (based within a school or local authority).

• Apply for the Diploma of School Business Management (DSBM).

Eligibility criteria

To apply as an individual already employed as an experienced school business manager within a state-maintained school or in a related role, please read the statements below and ensure the appropriate NCSL criteria apply to you.

• "I am currently working as an SBM within a state-maintained school", or "I work for a local authority or the DCSF and am/will be required to take SBM responsibility within my role."
• "I am a member of the senior management team (SMT)", or "I play a full role in the senior management team and the skills gained from DSBM will be of significant benefit to the school’s effective leadership and management."
• "The headteacher and chair of governors at my employing or supporting school are aware that I am applying for the course and have agreed to give me their full support in my studies."

In addition, one of the following statements must also apply to you.

• "I gained the Certificate of School Business Management (CSBM) at least three months ago."
• "I have two years’ experience as an SBM and have relevant professional qualifications (eg AAT, CIPD, CIPFA, MInstAM, NVQ 4/5 or first degree)."
• "I have five years’ experience as an SBM."

School business managers working within non-state maintained schools (eg independent schools or other educational areas) can apply as an independent applicant.

Programme requirements

• "I am able to attend a total of three workshop days."
• "I have an internet-enabled computer at home and/or have permission to use the internet at work for the purposes of the course."
• "I understand the study time commitment involved with completing the DSBM programme, which is a total of 240 hours, approximately 5-6 hours per week."

Support from your school

It is critical that you obtain the support of the headteacher and chair of governors at the school backing your application before you apply for DSBM. We view this support as crucial to your success and your application will not be viewed as complete until we receive it.

When completing your online application form, we will ask you to provide the name and email address of your headteacher and chair of governors so that we can ask them to provide an online reference to confirm that they have understood this commitment and wholly support your application.

If you have completed CSBM, we will ask you to provide your certificate number quoted on your CSBM certificate. Please ensure that you have this information ready when completing the application process.

The document below is for you to give to the headteacher and chair of governors to ensure they are fully aware of the requirements of the programme. Please ensure that they have read and fully understood the document and the commitment you are making.

• Important information for headteachers and chairs of governors (51kb, 4 pages).

Cost

NCSL provides a number of government-funded places on DSBM on behalf of the DCSF. Funded places are limited and are only available to individuals already employed with state-maintained schools in England or those specifically looking to enter the SBM profession to work within a state-maintained school.

• Further information on funding eligibility for DSBM.

Terms and conditions and frequently asked questions

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions and frequently asked questions. They have been created to advise you how we handle your application and data, of any requirements that we will insist upon and of any payment requirements that we may have.

• School Business Management Development Programme – terms and conditions (186kb, 20 pages).
• Frequently asked questions.

Contact us

If you require further information about applying for DSBM, please contact the NCSL help desk on 0845 609 0009 or email [email protected].