Over 100 SBMs came together at the first North of England SBM conference at Gateshead to learn, share and network. Baroness Estelle Morris spoke of the growing confidence in the role of the school business manager, and looked forward to a time when more headteachers would relinquish some of their business duties to concentrate on leading teaching and learning.

As key speaker, Baroness Morris acknowledged that the role of the SBM is not full recognised or valued by all headteachers and senior staff. She likened this to the introduction of TAs, when teachers, unsure about their skill set, just asked them to wash the paintbrushes – an analogy that struck a chord with many SBMs present. However, with a new generation of teachers arriving who have trained with TAs, the dynamics of the teacher / teaching assistant partnership have changed. Teachers are far more aware of the breadth of the skills of TA and appreciate how they can work together in a productive partnership. Estelle felt this same model of identifying with a newly developing role will be translated into the headteacher / SBM relationship.

Trevor Summerson also spoke of SBMs’ efforts to secure recognition of their role. He said that it could be tough, but it was worth the struggle to build a broader leadership platform within schools. He made the case for this by quoting recent research showing that 1 in 6 headteachers felt the need for more support for the management of the school. This number rose to 1 in 4 for primary schools alone. Trevor is the Senior Programme Manager for the Bursar Development Programmes at the National College for School Leadership.

The overwhelming view of the delegates was that the conference had been a great success. Many expressed the view that it was great to have a forum where they could meet up with colleagues across the region to discuss issues related to their roles. Planning is already underway for the 2009 North of England conference next autumn.

What the delegates said:

“The conference has given me the chance to network more widely with my SBM colleagues; sometimes in school you feel quite isolated in your job but this (conference) has invigorated me and makes me feel part of it again.”

 “I thought Estelle was excellent – she speaks in plain language that we can all identify with. It’s clear that she still has a great passion for education and understands that schools are not just about teaching from 9 o’clock to 4 o’clock – we are open all year, all hours and work in partnership with a lot of different agencies.”

“Trevor was very good – helped to clarify the professional development opportunities for the future. It was also good to hear him acknowledge that we do not, as yet, necessarily get paid at the right level.”

The Conference was hosted by Gateshead MBC and supported by MMU.