So far I have been a Business Manager in two different schools. When I think about things like Ofsted ratings, demographics, borough, roll numbers I can see glaring differences between the two. But what they have in common (as with all schools I hope) is the drive and desire to make it a wonderful experience …
Each one teach one
I quite often qualify my SBM Twitter posts with a variant of "I'm still new to this". It seems to type itself without me even thinking about it but something unexpected happened recently that made me re-evaluate this assessment of myself. I got a call from one of the Senior HR officers at my LA …
Reflect, plan and organise
As I approach my third year anniversary of becoming a Business Manager I find that my focus is moving more towards my practice. Much of the first two years was about learning the ropes. My experience of becoming an SBM is that it is like jumping into the deep end of the swimming pool. You …
You’re a governor? How do you find the time to do that?
Back in 2006, in my late 20s, I filled out an application form with my Local Authority to volunteer to be a school governor. I had been working the Education department of a neighbouring LA for the last 3 years at that point. Added to that I was raised by parents (especially my Mother) who …
Continue reading "You’re a governor? How do you find the time to do that?"
Balancing act
Every morning I meet with my Head Teacher and Deputy Head for a briefing meeting. Some days the meetings last for 15 mins, other days they last for 45 mins. Inevitably I find myself jotting things down throughout the meeting - making notes about things cropping up I need to do and things that I …
What’s your credit file like?
I’m a great believer in keeping on top of my finances and monitoring my credit score. I’m not so bad now but there was a period in time when I was checking my credit score weekly with online (paid) subscriptions to Experian and Equifax. Nowadays you get you can access to your credit score everywhere …
Business managers – how do you plan?
First week of school over and boy it felt like a long week! This year I will be making sure I take some time to reflect at the end of each week. This is all part of quest to become an awesome SBM (which I can’t be if I have no idea what I doing …
I can do this!
As we moved into September most people around me were lamenting how fast this year has flown by. I’m looking at it from a different point of view - there’s still a quarter of the year left to go, what can I achieve in that time? What goals can I meet in the space of …
Looking backwards then racing forwards
As we approach a new academic year I am raring to go and chomping at the bit to get started. I’m really looking forward to starting the year with a sense of purpose and direction - something which is a first for me. Previously I had feelings best described as anxious anticipation and nervousness. This …
I’m doing it! Or am I?
I used to work in the Local Authority in a department within Children’s Services/Education. I was Deputy Head of service for the last 7 years that I was there. I was very comfortable in my role, confident in my abilities to manage the operations and I had the most wonderful colleagues that had come to …