The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) is designed for school business professionals who take lead responsibility for people, projects, operations and/or services to deliver long term school success. The programme includes a BA (Hons) degree validated by the University of Gloucestershire.
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) for Schools is aimed at both new and existing school business managers and directors and those in similar business management or support roles employed in schools and academies.
Programme Details
The School Business Professional Apprenticeship (CMDA) will take up to 3 years depending on prior learning, plus 3 months for the completion of an End-Point Assessment.
The programme adopts a blended learning approach comprising the following elements:
- Online self-directed learning through the study of the 18 modules organised into 3 annual blocks of 2 modules. Those modules will focus on areas such as:
- Change Management
- Strategic finance
- School improvement
- Operations management
- School finances
- Facilities management
- HR management
- CPD
- School performance data
- School project management
- School efficiencies
- Attendance to 3 two-day face-to-face workshops per annum, i.e. at the start of each block of studies.
- Support of an apprenticeship coach who will hold 1:1 review meetings with you every 10 weeks. Line Managers are encouraged to show their support to your development by attending part of the coaching visits and by being involved in activities undertaken as part of your off-the-job learning.
- Off-the-job learning: A key requirement of the SBPA is that learners should be undertaking 6hrs a week off-the-job training. Off-the-job training refers to “training that is received by the apprentice within their practical period, during the apprentice’s normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship they are undertaking. By normal working hours, we mean the hours for which the apprentice would normally be paid, excluding overtime” (Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2023/2024).
Funding
The cost of the apprenticeship is £22,000 which will be taken from your employer’s levy account.
Please note:
- It is important that you check with your line / funding manager to confirm that there are sufficient funds within your DAS account before applying. For those whose employers are non-levy payers, please refer to government guidance available here.
- The apprenticeship levy will cover the cost of the training programme but doesn’t cover travel costs, WebEx call charges (depending on your phone provider) or accommodation should you need overnight accommodation when attending the two-day workshops. Salaries will not be covered.
How will I benefit from completing the School Business Professional Apprenticeship?
On successful completion of your studies, learners will receive:
- A BA (Hons) degree validated by the University of Gloucestershire.
- An Apprenticeship completion certificate from the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Learners will also have free membership to the Institute of Leadership & Management throughout their studies.
Other Considerations
This is an exciting opportunity to gain a Level 6 qualification whilst working but please think carefully about your time commitment and how you will manage the day-job. Your employer must be able to allocate 20% of your working time for off-the-job study/learning; this does include the face-to-face sessions and coach visits, etc., though.
Whilst the programme is delivered flexibly there will be deadlines for assignments and attendance at one-day workshops is mandatory. Should you wish to discuss this further please contact Serco email: learnerrecruitment@serco.com
Remember to discuss this opportunity with your line manager who will be required to support you during your studies. You will also need separate permission or approval from your funding / apprenticeship manager (please check this before applying).
Please note that, whilst your learning will be guided, with support from your facilitators (at the workshops and online) and your coach, you will be expected to work through the learning materials via Serco’s online web platform.
Each module that you study will have a start and end date and you may have one or two milestones during each module, plus assignment submissions at the end of each module, but aside from these it will be up to you to determine the pace at which you study and the amount of additional reading and research you do.
This may be a different style of learning to your previous experience and it relies on your own motivation and commitment to succeed; some of the evidence required for your portfolios will be compiled from your workplace or day-to-day role.
Why choose Serco?
Serco has trained over 16,000 school leaders across a wide range of leadership programmes. We have over ten years’ experience providing first-class tuition to education professionals through collaborating with reputable providers such as ISBL and the SBM Partnership.
The coaches and facilitators working on the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship come from a variety of professional backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge in different subject areas such as business management and leadership which serve to enhance learner development throughout the duration of their studies.
CMDAS Apprenticeship information:
- Nearly 100 apprentices supported to complete the apprenticeship with many of these achieving a distinction
- A pool of professional coaches and facilitators providing support and guidance throughout the apprenticeship
- Resources providing guidance for each unit available through Serco’s Leadership Learning Centre
- Opportunities to enhance your learning through face-to-face workshops
