NASBM calls on school business professionals to help shape new organisation

School business professionals are being invited by the National Association of School Business Management (NASBM) to share their thoughts and insights into the challenges experienced in the profession.

This coincides with the announcement that the NASBM will become the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) in November this year.

The proposal, which was made by the Trustees and endorsed by the association’s 3,000-strong membership base, will give the school business profession a more formal representative body with an emphasis on stronger professional development and quality assurance.

ISBL will officially launch on Monday, 20 November, following the NASBM Annual Conference which takes place 16-17 November.

Prior to the launch, the Trustees of NASBM want to hear from as many school business professionals across the country as possible to help them understand what should be the priorities for the new Institute.

Speaking on the announcement of the change to Institute, Tracey Gray, chair of the Trustees of NASBM, commented: “Education policy has changed immeasurably in recent years and this has resulted in increased demands and levels of complexity within the role of school business professionals.

“The core function of our schools is to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. School business leaders provide essential specialist support to head teachers to effectively manage the business aspects of running a school, maintain its facilities and allocate and be accountable for financial resources.”

Gray continued: “Our move to become the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) will provide our business professionals with stronger representation whilst supporting them through our Professional Standards, interpretation of policy detail, accountability and regulations.”

Stephen Morales, chief executive of NASBM, said: “In making this transition, we believe that the new Institute will better support its members and the sector at large. For us to do this effectively it is vital that school business professionals share with us what they see as priorities for their professional body. This will enable us to serve them effectively from day one as an Institute.”