School business manager (SBM): performance management

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

Last reviewed on 6 September 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 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 (SBM) is normally part of the senior leadership team (SLT), and managed by the headteacher. If this isn’t the case, it’s best for a senior member of the SLT to be line manager to the SBM.

As part of this, regularly review the SBM’s progress towards targets and financial modelling work.

Dr Peter Kent, headteacher of Lawrence Sheriff School in Warwickshire and president of the Association for School and College Leaders (ASCL) for 2014/15, shared this advice with us.

Set clear objectives for your SBM

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.

Track performance against professional