Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM)
The Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM) is a Level 4 qualification designed for both current and aspiring school business managers aiming to develop their professional expertise.
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Enhance your leadership, management, and administrative skills in a school environment
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Gain in-depth knowledge of essential areas in school business management
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Achieve a recognised qualification that supports your professional growth
We also offer individual units to run alongside the full online programme. These will be delivered as online modules, facilitated and supported by national experts, recognised as a qualification in its own right.
Please click here for details on the individual units we offer.
Course duration
12 months
L4 DSBM
Online training
What is the Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM)?
The Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM) is a Level 4 qualification designed to equip current and aspiring school business managers with the professional skills, knowledge, and qualifications needed for effective school business management. This school business manager qualification is part of a recognised suite of business manager courses for schools.
What will you learn on the Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM)?
Through the Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers, trainees will gain essential skills to:
- Efficiently and sensitively manage school resources
- Understand the core purposes and objectives of business management in schools
- Apply leadership and decision-making skills to school management contexts
- Evaluate and improve school business operations
- Align skills with Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) professional standards for CPD
- Develop financial management skills for effective budgeting, procurement, and planning in schools
Who should apply for the Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM)?
This school business manager course is ideal for:
- Existing school business managers aiming to enhance their management and operational expertise
- Aspiring business managers seeking to enter the school business management field with a recognised qualification
- Senior school administrators looking to develop in-depth skills and knowledge in school leadership and management
Don't take our word for it! Check out our case studies!
How is the Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM) delivered?
The Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers is delivered online over 12 months, with a credit value of 39-40 credits. The course includes three mandatory units and one optional unit of your choice.
Mandatory Units
- Leading Support Services in a School – 35 guided learning hours
- Finance in a School – 35 guided learning hours
- Procurement in a School – 35 guided learning hours
Optional Units
- Supporting Human Resource Management in a School – 30 guided learning hours
- Supporting School Infrastructure and Management – 35 guided learning hours
- Marketing in a School – 30 guided learning hours
What are the benefits of completing Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM)?
Obtaining this Level 4 qualification through the Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM) offers a range of valuable benefits. Graduates gain essential skills that enhance both their professional growth and the operational success of their schools.
Diploma for School Business Managers benefits for trainees
Gain a comprehensive, practical skillset aligned with ISBL standards.
Improve leadership and decision-making capabilities in a school setting.
Achieve a professional qualification that supports career development in school business management.
Diploma for School Business Managers benefits for schools
Benefit from highly skilled school business manager who can optimise resource management.
Strengthen leadership capabilities within school management teams.
Increase operational efficiency with professionals trained in school-focused business practices.
Why choose the Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM) with Best Practice Network?
Best Practice Network has been providing training for school business professionals for many years and has an experienced tutor and assessor team with significant experience of the role across many different settings in the education sector.
The Diploma for School Business Managers (DSBM) at Level 4 is the default qualification required in most school/academy settings, so choosing Best Practice Network provides a unique opportunity to gain an ILM-accredited qualification, with expert support and enhance your skills in school business management.
- In partnership with Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
We work closely with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) to deliver a qualification of the highest standard that is linked directly to the ISBL Professional Standards - Personalised support
Alongside a series of online specialised tutorials, our learners also have the opportunity for individual 1:1 sessions with their designated tutor/assessor – usually arranged using Zoom/Teams – to check and discuss progress. - Flexible learning options
The programme is delivered fully online using our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which provides the flexibility to study at a time that best suits individual schedules as well as providing ready access to relevant learning resources.
We also offer participants a choice for the 4th and final unit which allows you to tailor your learning to best suit both your own and your school’s needs.
Key Information
How is it delivered?
The ILM Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers programme (qualification no. 603/1997/5) is delivered over 12 months.
The ILM credit value of the qualification is 39 to 40 credits, which comprises three mandatory units (35 credits), plus one optional unit of 9 or 10 credits.
The units are:
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Mandatory Units |
Optional Units |
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Online learning pathway
- An online induction session
- Two online 1.5 hour tutorials for each of the four units
- Three online group support workshops
- Two online assessment tutorials focussing on the requirements for the e-portfolio of evidence
- Two 1:1 telephone coaching sessions to provide individual support
Assessment
The programme is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
Evidence for skills/competence-based assessment criteria should be produced in a school environment/context where possible. Evidence for these units is likely to come from naturally occurring activities from the workplace and may include (but is not restricted to):
- Products from the learner’s work
- Records of Team Minutes/Agendas
- Direct observation of the learner’s performance by their assessor
- Outcomes from oral or written questioning
- Personal statements and/or reflective accounts
- Professional discussion
- Authentic statements/witness testimony
- Records of External Customer communications
- Written reports/case studies
The full cost of the online-only programme including assessment and certification is:
- The fee for the online model is £1,350 plus VAT
- Members of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) are entitled to a 5% discount (ISBL membership number required)
How to apply
When submitting their application, applicants must upload a signed Headteacher Declaration form in which they agree to support you through the programme and confirm that the school will finance the cost of the course.
It will save time if applicants obtain this prior to starting the online registration process.
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