LEADERSHIP
Doing the business
Head Heather Mullaney
running of the school. This limited my ability to keep To build on this experience, I took on the role deal with everything from legionella testing to removal
up-to-date with the latest developments in education of SBM in 2006 and will complete my Diploma in of asbestos. And as anyone who has been caught out
and her school business
and plan strategically for school improvement. School Business Management later this year, which is by health and safety lapses will know, this is of major
Stephen has changed all this. For example, I no provided by the National College for School Leadership importance.
longer have to deal directly with issues such as meeting and internationally accredited by the Institute of What is more, I have helped the school implement its
manager Stephen
the Financial Management Standard in Schools, Administrative Management. extended schools programme by taking on responsibility
monitoring the budget, allocating funding, leading and As an SBM, I have the time and expertise to gain for out-of-hours opening and management. Of course,
Dewhurst explain how
managing the non-teaching staff, and maintaining the additional funding for the school from government and this also brings in extra revenue for the school.
environment for learning. elsewhere, and release funds from existing resources In a school without an SBM, the vast majority of
his role has made her
I would estimate that he has freed a quarter of my through careful management and efficiencies. Just these roles are carried out by the headteacher, which for
time, which I can use to concentrate on the school. As through having the time to look at accounts on a regular a large site like ours is unsustainable.
headship more sustainable,
a result, I can maintain an outward-looking approach to basis, I was able to save £16,000 almost straight away Heads cannot – and should not – take on all these
headship, which means the entire school benefits from by noticing we had been billed twice by a supplier. jobs. They need to focus on improving and maintaining
’
best practices that we gather from other organisations. But being an SBM is not just a matter of cutting excellent teaching and learning, while developing
while also improving
As a measure of success, since joining the school and costs and keeping our accounts in good shape. I also strategy and looking for ways to boost the school
appointing an SBM, we have increased the percentage ensure that teachers have the best resources possible through best practice. If deployed correctly, an SBM
teaching and learning
of students gaining five A* to C grades from 43 to 92 per for teaching and learning and make investments on a can ensure this is the case.
cent in just four years. strategic rather than ad hoc basis. This is achieved by In just a few years, we have achieved this. The
This is above our local authority target and 63 per listening to staff needs and then providing the framework school has gone from being in a weak financial position
cent achieved five A* to C grades including English and and finance to ensure they can be implemented as part to one of strength. And while the head has directed this
Heather Mullaney
maths, with every single student attaining at least one of the school’s vision. transformation, it has been the senior leadership team
“There is no doubt that running a large secondary – of which I am a part – that has implemented it.
school is a challenge, but it is widely accepted that The benefits are clear, not just for the school, but
headship is no longer a one-size-fits-all role with
limited support. There are many ways of making the
position more sustainable and rewarding, which can
include co-headships and federations. But for our
school, employing a school business manager (SBM)
has been the one key driver.
‘
The school has gone from being in a weak
for Heather, who has been able to use her time more
effectively than ever before.
financial position to one of strength. And while
We work together as a team and have accomplished
some fantastic results – cost-effectively and quickly.
However, we are not alone – headteacher and
the head has directed this transformation, it has
SBM teams are operating across about 80 per cent of
A SBM is a senior member of staff responsible for secondary schools to help create a favourable work/life
managing all non-teaching activity. They oversee the
finances of schools, including all the administrative
been the senior leadership team – of which I
balance for heads.
This is crucial, especially as the current generation
and logistical aspects of running a site, so that these are
done in the most effective and efficient way possible. am a part – that has implemented it
of heads approaches retirement. If schools are to
continue to encourage talented and committed leaders
They can also lend additional expertise and strategic to take on headships, there will be a greater need for
insight to the progress of a school, while allowing support staff such as SBMs.
headteachers to focus on teaching, learning and pass. This puts us at the top of all Runcorn schools and My role also involves managing a And allowing leaders to lead while ensuring staff
leadership. very well placed nationally. and young people have the best teaching and learning
Stephen Dewhurst – officially known as finance Meanwhile, the capacity and expertise that Stephen
’
ll non-teaching
personnel, dealing with recruitment and retention,
ensuring wellbeing and welfare, implementing environment possible can have only one outcome
and business manager – has been instrumental in brings allows me to maintain a healthy work/life balance. discipline procedures where necessary, and reporting to – better chances for our students.” SecEd
fulfilling these roles at our school, The Heath Specialist Although I work the hours expected of anyone in a the chair of governors.
Technology College, but it has not always been like leadership position, I can go home at the end of the day Meanwhile, behind the scenes, I prepare and present • Heather Mullaney is headteacher at The Heath
this. and switch off, safe in the knowledge that the finances budgets, report on finances to the senior leadership Specialist Technology College in Runcorn and her
In 2001, the school had been in serious financial are all in order. And when away from the school, team, keep the school solvent, and ensure all financial school business manager is Stephen Dewhurst.
difficulties. My predecessor worked hard to get the everything continues to run smoothly in my absence.” procedures are followed correctly.
finances back on track, but I soon realised that to maintain In addition, I am responsible for the school
Further information
and develop sound sustained financial management, we
Stephen Dewhurst
environment and the building maintenance and services. Visit the school at www.heath.halton.sch.uk and more
would need someone with Stephen’s skills. I am unusual for an SBM in that I have a teaching This includes the development of the school’s new site information on school business managers, distributed
Furthermore, prior to his appointment, I was getting background, having been a teacher, head of year and – and I am a key point of contact between the local leadership, and models of leadership can be found
more and more drawn into the operational side of then assistant head at The Heath School for the greater authority, the designers, and the school. through the National College for School Leadership,
leadership, becoming bogged down in the day-to-day part of my career. Health and safety also comes within my remit and I visit www.ncsl.org.uk/winningteams
SecEd • March 12 2009 13
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