Internal applicants

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

We are now accepting applications for Cohort 13 of the Certificate of School Business Management (CSBM), which starts in May 2009. The application round for this cohort will close at 12 noon on Monday 16 March.

• Apply for the Certificate in School Business Management.

Eligibility criteria

To apply as an individual already employed as a school business manager within a state-maintained school or in related role, please read through the statements below and ensure the appropriate 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."
• "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."

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 seven workshops/assessment 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 this programme, which is a total of 360 hours, approximately 5-6 hours per week."

In addition at least one of the following statements must also apply to you:

• "I am, at minimum, an ‘advanced beginner’. I have senior administrative/management experience in one or more of the following: HR, facilities, ICT and administration. I understand that I must have an appropriate grasp of school funding and finances in order to undertake the course."
• "I am able to provide evidence of appropriate in-service training/CPD at school, local authority or national level."
• "I have a relevant professional or academic qualification equivalent to NVQ3/4 (eg AAT, CIPD, CIPFA, AInstAM)."

Support from your school

When applying for CSBM it is critical that you obtain the support of the headteacher and chair of governors at the school backing your application before you apply. We view this support as crucial to your success on CSBM 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 complete an online reference to confirm that they have understood this commitment and wholly support your application.

The document below is for you to give them 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 provide a number of government-funded places on CSBM 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 CSBM.

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 CSBM please contact the NCSL help desk on 0845 609 0009 or email [email protected].