At Serco we’ve spent over two decades supporting schools through apprenticeships and school staff development programmes. Through our work with over 15,000 education professionals, we’ve seen first hand how school apprenticeships – particularly our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship – can transform not just individual careers, but entire school communities.
Today, we want to share why apprenticeships for schools are one of the smartest investments a school can make, especially when using the Government Apprenticeship Levy, and a no-brainer for individuals looking to cement their careers in the sector.
This blog is relevant for both schools and staff.
The strategic power of school apprenticeships
Gone are the days when apprenticeships were just for trades or entry-level positions. Education apprenticeships offer a strategic tool to build capability, strengthen leadership pipelines, and improve operational excellence – all while making the most of existing budgets through the Apprenticeship Levy schools can access.
Why the School Business Professional Apprenticeship matters
The School Business Professional Apprenticeship (Level 4) has become essential for schools seeking operational excellence. This apprenticeship for schools addresses the unique challenges of education administration, from budget management to compliance, HR to strategic planning. It’s specifically designed to develop the complex skill set needed in modern school business management.
As one of our SBPA learners noted: “Every topic is related to a practical area of the job role of a School Business Manager and is closely aligned with the Institute of School Business Leaders (ISBL) Standards.”
Five game-changing benefits of apprenticeships for schools
From boosting staff retention to maximising your apprenticeship levy, education apprenticeships deliver tangible value to your institution. And that value is underlined by achievement of the apprentices who are willing to learn and see rightly see how the apprenticeship can support their careers.
Achievement rates for apprenticeships in some school settings have been reported as high as nearly 77%, significantly higher than in most other sectors, indicating that staff often complete their apprenticeships successfully.¹
Serco’s current achievement rate is an unbeatable 100%!
1. School staff development aligned to strategic needs
Unlike generic training courses, education apprenticeships deliver structured learning that’s directly aligned to your school’s strategic priorities. Whether you need stronger financial management, more effective HR processes, or enhanced leadership capabilities, apprenticeships for schools provide role-relevant training that staff can apply immediately.
Our programmes cover critical areas including:
· Financial management and budget optimisation
· HR and workforce planning
· Strategic planning and operations
· Compliance and risk management
· Leadership and stakeholder engagement
2. Making the most of your apprenticeship levy: schools edition
If your school or trust pays the apprenticeship levy, you’re already investing in training – why not use it? The apprenticeship levy schools can access provides:
· Full funding for apprenticeship training costs
· No additional budget impact
· Use-it-or-lose-it funds that expire after 24 months
· Flexibility to train existing staff or new hires
Schools not paying the levy can still access 95% government funding for apprenticeships. This makes school staff development through apprenticeships one of the most cost-effective CPD options available.
Data shows that thousands of administrative staff in schools have started apprenticeships in recent years, for example, around 4,000 in academy trusts in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating real engagement with funded training pathways.²
Details on funding options can be found here.
3. How school apprenticeships improve retention
When you invest in your people through school apprenticeships, they invest in you. Schools using apprenticeships for staff development report:
· Higher staff satisfaction and engagement
· Reduced turnover and recruitment costs
· Stronger team loyalty and cohesion
· Clear progression pathways that motivate staff
This is particularly powerful for support staff who often have fewer development opportunities. School apprenticeships offer them a debt-free route to professional growth and career advancement.
4. Building tomorrow’s school leaders through apprenticeships
Succession planning is crucial for school sustainability. Our school apprenticeships create clear pathways from operational roles to senior leadership positions. Through structured school staff development, schools can:
· Develop internal talent pools
· Reduce dependency on external recruitment
· Build deep institutional knowledge
· Create smooth leadership transitions
5. School apprenticeships drive whole-school improvement
A more skilled workforce directly impacts student outcomes. When administrative and support teams operate more effectively through apprenticeships for schools, teachers can focus on what they do best – teaching. School staff development through apprenticeships embeds evidence-based practices, introduces fresh perspectives, and creates a culture of continuous learning that benefits everyone.
Serco’s education apprenticeships: tailored for individual success
We offer three key apprenticeship programmes available to individuals seeking to enhance career skills and opportunities:
Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship
Perfect for aspiring leaders across any organisation including schools, the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship programme develops foundational leadership and management skills. While not education-specific, it’s highly relevant for department heads, year leaders and administrative team supervisors who want to step up their leadership capabilities through school apprenticeships.
Level 4 School Business Professional Apprenticeship (SBPA)
Our flagship school apprenticeship course, the Level 4 School Business Professional Apprenticeship has already supported nearly 200 apprentices, with many achieving distinction grades. Over 19 months, participants in this specialised apprenticeship for schools develop advanced skills essential for modern school business management.
The programme includes:
· Five face-to-face workshop days.
· Regular coaching visits.
· Flexible online learning that fits around the school calendar.
· Direct application of learning to your school context.
Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship for schools (CMDA)
For senior leaders and aspiring heads of department, the Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship degree-level school apprenticeship develops strategic leadership capabilities while earning a full bachelor’s degree. It’s ideal for those stepping into or consolidating senior leadership positions within education. Our success rate for learners completing this course is currently 94% at distinction level.
Real stories, real impact from school apprenticeships
Take Beth, Kevin and Carol – three of our School Business Manager apprenticeship graduates who’ve transformed their careers and their schools through apprenticeship learning. Their stories demonstrate how structured school staff development creates confident, capable leaders who drive positive change.
Read their stories here:
How the SBPA Level 4 Helped Beth Progress in School Business Management
Kevin’s Journey: Developing Excellence in School Business Management
Carol’s Story: Applying Apprenticeship Learning to Everyday School Leadership
Apprenticeships for schools: a strategic investment
Education apprenticeships aren’t just training programmes. They’re strategic investments in your school’s future. By developing your existing staff through structured, funded apprenticeships, you’re building a more capable, motivated and stable workforce that directly contributes to better outcomes for your students.
The apprenticeship levy schools can access makes this investment even more compelling. You’re either using funds you’re already paying or accessing generous government support for school staff development.
Making school apprenticeships work: practical considerations
We understand schools are busy places. That’s why our apprenticeships for schools are designed with flexibility in mind:
· Blended learning combining face-to-face, online, and workplace elements.
· Monthly active learning requirements that fit around term schedules.
· Coach visits that include line manager involvement.
· Support from experienced facilitators who understand the education sector.
Staff will need dedicated time for off-the-job learning each month, but this investment in school staff development pays dividends in enhanced capability and confidence.
Start your school apprenticeship journey today
With several intake points throughout the year for our School Business Professional Apprenticeship programme (March, June, and September), there’s never been a better time to invest in your team’s development through education apprenticeships.
Remember to:
· Check your apprenticeship levy funds or explore government co-funding options.
· Discuss school apprenticeship opportunities with potential candidates and their line managers.
· Ensure you have sign-off from your funding/apprenticeship manager.
· Contact our team for guidance on apprenticeships for schools learnerrecruitment@serco.com
The bottom line on school staff development
Education apprenticeships through Serco offer a proven path to stronger teams, better retention and improved school performance. Whether through the School Business Professional Apprenticeship or our other programmes, you can transform your workforce while maximising apprenticeship Levy Funding.
At Serco, we’re proud to support schools in unlocking the potential of their teams through targeted school staff development. After all, when school staff thrive, students thrive too.
Ready to explore school apprenticeships for your team? Whether you’re interested in the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship or other school staff development programmes, we can help you maximise your apprenticeship levy schools funding.
Register your interest here or email us at learnerrecruitment@serco.com.
