Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management

The ILM Diploma qualifications are closely linked to the latest ISBL Professional Standards for school business managers (SBMs) and reflect the changing roles performed by school business professionals across schools and academies.

The Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers features:

15-16 months study
Accreditation by ILM
Up-to-date content
Aligns with latest Professional Standards (ISBL)
Prices for full programmes include ILM accreditation
Level 4 Individual Units also available (see details below)

This qualification is designed specifically for school business professionals and aims to provide the knowledge and skills required to develop your career further. It will also enable school business management professionals to:

manage school resources more efficiently and effectively
evaluate the nature of school business operations within your school
gain specialist expertise in business support services

The Level 4 Diploma programme is open to all schools (and paid for directly by your school) and is separate from the apprenticeship scheme – it is not eligible for apprenticeship funding.

The Level 4 Diploma is open to new or aspiring school business managers, as well as those already in post as an SBM or a similar role (such as Finance Manager, Office Manager, School Administrator, Business Support Officer, Bursar, HR Manager, etc).

L4 Full Programme

The Level 4 full programme consists of four mandatory units (Operational Leadership in Schools or Trusts, Finance in Schools or Trusts, Procurement in Schools or Trusts, Supporting Human Resource Management in Schools or Trusts) which are studied over approximately 15-16 months using a variety of distance learning methods. These activities include interactive online units, use of online resource materials, online research and online networking through your forum areas. Assessment is mainly through unit assignments usually produced with a portfolio and submitted electronically.

The full Level 4 Diploma programme leads to a recognised Level 4 qualification.

We offer regular intakes for the full programmes (both fully online and blended learning) each year.

L4 Individual Units

There are a number of advantages to studying an individual unit. It may be that you want to ‘test the water’ to see if the programme is right for you. Or you may like to improve your skills in a specific area. Whatever the reason, you can study individual units with the knowledge that these may count towards your final Level 4 Diploma qualification should you decide to complete the full programme later (conditions apply – see note below).

The Level 4 Individual Units available are:

Finance in Schools or Trusts
Supporting Human Resource Management in Schools or Trusts

If you complete a single unit, part of the price of the unit will be redeemed if you then decide to study the full programme.

Note that you will need to join a full programme group at some stage if you study one or more individual units and then wish to complete the full programme – please contact us to discuss your options.

Tip: We suggest that the most effective pathway (if you do not wish to study the full programme straightaway) is to study one IU first and then join the full programme.

The study period for individual units (IU) is approximately 14 – 16 weeks each and further details regarding the content of the units can be found in the Level 4 FAQs document available on the SBM Partnership website (accessible by clicking on the Find out more button at the bottom of this page. Individual units are offered subject to minimum numbers.

ILM accreditation is included in the cost of the individual unit.

For all unit study options you will need the support of a school as most study activities will involve work-based examples.