Duration
Typical duration to gateway - 18 months (this does not include EPA period).

Occupation Profile
School Business Professionals (SBPs) perform a role which is unique to schools, administering and managing the financial, site and support services within the school context. They provide essential support to school leadership teams, implementing their financial and business decisions. SBPs may work in any school phase (primary, secondary, special) and in different school structures: single academy trusts, multi academy trusts (MATs), local authority-maintained schools and federations, etc. Consequently, they can work in very different settings with varying numbers of people that they report to including the headteacher or School Business Director (SBD). Within this context, SBPs have a shared number of roles which shape their dayto- day activity to make this a homogeneous role in schools.

Entry Requirements
Applicants must: Achieve the required level of Maths and English as part of the apprenticeship if a recognised qualification is not already held Be employed in an appropriate job role and have the support of their employer to undertake the programme

Commitment
6 hours a week (based on a 30 hour week) of a learner's contracted hours must be given to support the completion of the programme. Tutor led sessions are a mandatory part of the course along with any other learning activities set by the assessor or tutor. Maths and English may need to be undertaken in addition to the main qualification depending on previous attainment in these areas. It is likely that the learner will be required to undertake research, reading and write ups to support their learning. The programme requires 100% commitment from the learner & employer to ensure successful completion.

Delivery
Our blended approach means that our programmes are flexible and enable apprentices to experience a range of learning and support opportunities in a variety of formats such as online or at a local ACL centre. The apprentice will have a dedicated tutor who they will meet (online or face to face) once a month who will guide them through their apprenticeship and prepare them for their End Point Assessment. Reviews of progress are carried out every 12 weeks with the learner, their line manager and the tutor. Additional workshops and seminars will be available to all learners to support additional learning and the off job learning requirement.

Benefit for Learner
1. Build professionalism and confidence in a working environment 2. Ability to manage their own performance 3. Gain knowledge on School Business Professional theories within the context of their work setting

Benefit for Business
1. Productive team members 2. School Business Professional qualified staff 3. Responsible and adaptable team members

End Point Assessment (EPA)
End Point Assessment (EPA) takes place at the end of the apprenticeship programme and is a comprehensive holistic assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours required as laid out in the apprenticeship standard. The Level 4 School Business Professional EPA is made up of: Simulated task - The apprentice will be given a scenario situation, and, in timed controlled conditions, asked to write a short report and make a presentation which will be followed by questions. Project report & presentation with questions and answers (Q&A) - The apprentice will write a formal, detailed structured report on the on-programme workplace project they have completed. Both the project and the project report must be verified as the apprentice's own work. The project report and presentation must be started and completed post-gateway. Verification must be provided by the employer confirming that the work produced is that of the apprentice. The presentation of this will be followed by questions.

Progression
Professional body alignment: Candidates will be eligible to become a Full Member of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL - formerly National Association of School Business Management) upon successful completion of the apprenticeship Once achieved, successful individuals will be able to perform the role of the school business professional. The qualification may also be used as a stepping stone for those aspiring to a senior or strategic role in the school business profession. There is a range of job titles that this occupational profile relates to including a School Business Manager, HR Manager, Finance Manager, Office Manager, School Administrator, Business Support Officer, Bursar, etc