The School Business Managers Working Group (SBMWG) was created by Attain (a collaboration of local schools, the Local Authority, Teaching Schools and other local partners in Merton) and is attended by representative School Business Managers (SBMs) from each cluster of schools. Its purpose is to represent the views and interests of SBMs and to support and train them to be knowledgeable and effective business leaders.
The SBMWG is concerned with the following matters:
- The financial management of schools
- Cluster arrangements, including the scope for cooperative working both within and between clusters
- Matters related to succession planning among SBMs and their staff;
- The nature and content of professional training available to SBMs and their staff.
- The facilities management of schools (including Health and Safety)
- The administration management of schools (including GDPR)
- The personnel and payroll management of schools
- Extended Services Provision in Schools
- Line Management of staff
- SBM’s Well-Being
SBM representatives meet with Merton stakeholders to discuss these matters and devise solutions to relevant issues that SBMs are facing. You can find details of the SBMWG Terms of Reference here.
One of the main pieces of work that the SBMWG has created so far is the SBM Support Package. This support package includes dates for workshops, information on the SBM mentoring scheme, useful links and contact information. You can find the SBM Support Package here.
To enquire about receiving mentoring, or becoming a mentor, please email hannah.mcbride@sherwood.merton.sch.uk
Please do feedback to your SBM cluster representative if you have any comments or items that you wish to be discussed by the SBMWG. The group meets termly, and representatives are chosen at the Autumn term SBM forum.
The SBM role is unique in a school and can sometimes feel isolated. Whether you are newly appointed or established in your role, we hope the cluster support, training and mentoring from the SBMWG will be valuable.