School business manager (SBM): performance management

Read advice on SBM appraisal, including how to use professional standards and support professional development.

Last reviewed on 26 January 2024
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 2630
Contents
  1. Headteachers are best placed to appraise SBMs
  2. Set clear objectives for your SBM
  3. Track performance against professional standards
  4. Support professional development

Headteachers are best placed to appraise SBMs

This is because the school business manager will normally be part of the senior leadership team (SLT), and therefore managed by the headteacher.

As part of this, you'll want to regularly review your SBM’s progress towards their targets and financial modelling work.

Dr Peter Kent, a former headteacher of Lawrence Sheriff School and former president of the Association for School and College Leaders (ASCL) shared this advice with us.

Set clear objectives for your SBM

Your SBM's objectives will depend on your school’s aims and priorities.

They should cover key areas such as:

  • Finance
  • Project management
  • Development of staff

The Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) gave us this advice.

Take a look at our suggested performance objectives for SBMs, along with success criteria to track progress and monitor arrangements and evidence.

Share our self-assessment tool with your SBM to complete ahead of