School Business Manager

School Business Manager (21.5 Hours Per Week)

Permanent  

Required from: As soon as possible

This role requires an appropriate Level 4 Qualification, the school is happy to accept applications from those who do not hold this qualification currently but should be prepared to undertake the necessary qualifications that this role requires.

Salary is therefore dependant on experience and qualifications:

BS7 for those who are not yet qualified (salary range £28,598 (SP12) to £29,540 (SP14) *Pro-rata 

BS8 for those who hold the relevant qualifications (salary range £32,061 (SP19) to £32,597 (SP20) *Pro-rata Hourly rate: £14.82 (SP12) - £16.89 (SP20)

Work Pattern: 21.5 hours per week; working flexibly between Monday to Friday, ideally across 3-4 days each week. Term time only + 1 week during the school holidays (1 week of additional time that is intended to ensure that administrative functions are maintained during scheduled INSET days and longer school closure periods (equivalent to 39 weeks).

Training information: Online and local apprenticeship training is available for candidates who do not yet hold an appropriate level 4 business management qualification or require further training to fully understand the role in schools. During any necessary initial training period, additional hours of up to 3 per week can be paid to enable the post holder to access relevant training.

Pension: Post-holders will have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Further details can be found here: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/hr-policies and-procedures/pensions

About the Role 

The Governors of Holm Cultram Abbey C of E Primary School invite applications for this important and diverse role.

The School Business Manager has a central role in supporting and reporting to the Headteacher and governing body to effectively manage the school and its estate. This involves working pro-actively across diverse areas including administration, finance, line management, human resources, payroll, premises management and health & safety. The role also includes delivering a positive front-of-house experience to school visitors, managing administrative and operational work and responding to email and telephone communications from parents, suppliers and other stakeholders. Working within a school environment also means that post-holders may be called upon to administer basic first aid, supervise playtimes or accompany school trips. Having a flexible attitude and a willingness to support the school team in whatever way possible is a key part of the role.

Although prior experience of school operations and financial management would be preferred, it is not essential as these can be learned; we invite applications from candidates who demonstrate an appropriate skillset and a commitment to developing a thorough understanding of school specific aspects of the role through additional training as appropriate.

The post is open to those who already hold a relevant level-4 qualification and those who would like to attain it through an apprenticeship route.

Trainees will be initially employed as BS7. Candidates who already hold an appropriate level 4 qualification and experience will be employed at BS8.

The role and procedures associated with it have been developed over recent years by previous postholders, and it is anticipated that this d evelopment will be ongoing.

There are active school business manager communities in the local cluster and County, which post-holders are encouraged to engage with to access peer support.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 22 September 2025 and it is anticipated that interviews will be held on Friday 26 September 2025 with the headteacher and representatives of the governing body.

An application pack can be requested by emailing: vacancy@holmcultramabbey.cumbria.sch.uk

The school is committed to the safeguarding of its pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be appointed on completion of an enhanced DBS check and receipt of professional references. Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.