Level 4 School Business Professional Apprenticeship
School Business Professionals (SBPs) play a distinctive role tailored to educational settings, overseeing and coordinating financial, facility, and auxiliary services within schools. They are integral members of school leadership teams, executing financial and operational strategies set by school administration.
Various job titles fall under this occupational profile, such as School Business Manager, HR Manager, Finance Manager, Office Manager, School Administrator, Business Support Officer, Bursar, and more.
Upon successfully completing the apprenticeship, candidates will qualify for Full Membership status with the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), previously known as the National Association of School Business Management.
It's a roll-on, roll-off delivery, from September 18 2024 onwards.
During the apprenticeship journey, apprentices develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours through both the employer and the Growth Company.
Here is an example of the apprenticeship journey:
- Pre-enrolment, role-scoping, initial assessment and onboarding
- On and off-the-job learning
- Preparation for end-point assessment
- End-point assessment completion
- Achievement and next steps
Off-the-job training is learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads toward the achievement of an apprenticeship.
Off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprentice’s programme.
Apprentices will be required to attend six half-day online tutor-led workshops which cover the following areas:
- Operational & Strategic Management
- Financial Management
- Human Resources Management
- Project Management
- Change Management
- Marketing
In addition to the online monthly workshops, apprentices will be required to attend monthly one-to-one coaching sessions with industry experts.
Self-study activities are available 24/7 via our online learning platform.
End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment of whether your apprentice has developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.
Assessments are designed by employers in the sector and are conducted by independent bodies known as end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs).
There are two elements to the EPA for this apprenticeship standard:
- Simulated task
- Project report & presentation with questions and answers (Q&A)
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices will be eligible to become a Full Member of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)
Applicants must hold a minimum of Level 2 in maths and English or equivalent. Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to completion of their apprenticeship.
Funding band value: £6,000
Non- Levy employers
If you DO NOT pay the apprenticeship levy, and your apprentice is under 22 this will be fully funded by the government (or up to age 24 if the apprentice has an education, health and care plan). However, if your apprentice is 22 and over you would pay 5% towards the cost of training and assessing your apprentice. The government will pay the rest (95%*) up to the funding band maximum. They’ll pay it directly to the training
provider.
Levy employers
If you pay the apprenticeship levy, you’ll get funds to spend on training and assessing your apprentices.
All employers
You can get £1,000 to support your apprentice in the workplace if they are one of the following:
• 16 to 18 years old
• 19 to 24 years old with an education, health and care plan
• 19 to 24 years old and they used to be in care
If your apprentice is eligible, we will give you the payment in 2 instalments of £500. You will be eligible for the first payment after 90 days of your apprentice being on programme and the second one after a year.
*Greater Manchester employers now have the opportunity to apply for a 100% levy match.
An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme that combines on-the-job and off-the-job learning. It allows individuals to gain practical skills and experience in a specific industry while earning a wage.
Find out more here.
Yes, apprentices receive a wage. The wage may start at a lower rate than fully qualified employees but typically increases as the apprentice gains experience and skills.
Find out more here.
No, apprenticeships are not exclusively for school leavers. While many individuals begin apprenticeships after completing secondary education, apprenticeship opportunities are available to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Adult apprenticeships cater to individuals who may be looking to switch careers, upskill, or re-enter the workforce after a period of absence. This inclusivity allows individuals at different stages of their lives and careers to benefit from apprenticeship training and development opportunities.
The apprenticeship levy is a UK government initiative introduced in April 2017 as part of efforts to increase the quantity and quality of apprenticeships across various industries. Employers with an annual pay bill of over £3 million are required to pay the apprenticeship levy, which is set at 0.5% of their total pay bill.
The funds collected through the levy are then allocated to the employer's digital apprenticeship service (DAS) account, which they can use to fund apprenticeship training and assessment costs. Employers can access these funds to cover the expenses of apprenticeship training, including tuition fees, assessment costs, and, in some cases, additional support services.
The apprenticeship levy aims to encourage employers to invest in apprenticeship programs, develop their workforce, and address skills gaps within their industries. Additionally, the levy helps ensure that apprenticeship training meets the needs of employers and contributes to economic growth and productivity.
Find out more here.
