Ashington schools to get business managers

Posted by The Journal on Mar 31, 09 02:28 PM in News

Hard-pressed headteachers are bringing in business managers to cut paperwork in the classroom.

As part of the trials, heads are expected to delegate responsibility for administration and finance to a qualified, school business manager.

The Ashington family of schools forms one of 24 projects in the country taking part in the trials, which are being run by the National College for School Leadership.

Ashington Central First, Ashington High, Bothal Middle, Hirst Park Middle and Wansbeck First schools are in the project.

The trials aim to test two new, non-teaching leadership positions - the advanced school business manager and the school business director.

The responsibilities for people in these posts would including human resources, estate management and marketing.

As a Pathfinder Trust, the Ashington Learning Partnership already has a range of business support available to each of the schools, which have more than 3,000 students.

The project will also see the schools developing an SBM "Centre of Excellence" to support other schools in the immediate area.

Toby Salt, deputy chief executive of NCSL, said: "Schools in Ashington are playing an important role in a series of trials that, if successful, could mean positive changes in the way schools are managed.

"The findings demonstrate for the first time the true potential that properly deployed school business managers can have to free up time and money for school leaders.

"Whether emerging from special measures, operating in inner city areas or undergoing change, the skills of an SBM will prove invaluable.

"By maximising resources and ensuring schools are effectively run, SBMs enable headteachers to bring dynamic leadership to bear on challenging situations.

"That can only mean one thing - better attainment and outcomes for more of our children and young people."

Earlier trails found that headteachers reported a reduced workload, with the higher level SBM role having a potential to free up to 30% of their time.

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