A new Advanced Diploma of School Business Management (ADSBM) will shortly be launched by the National College of School Leadership (NCSL). The ADSBM will build on the existing certificate and diploma courses to further develop the skills of the growing number of school business managers (SBM), as NCSL continues down the path of professionalising the key commercial role in state schools.

According to recently published figures, the number of SBMs has nearly doubled in 10 years to 7,420 by 2007. Increasingly SBMs are taking a major role in procurement of supplies and services at school level.

To date more than 5,000 SBMs have been trained by NCSL with 25% of SBMs in secondary schools holding a certificate and 17% holding a diploma.

www.ncsl.org.uk