NASBM to become Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)

School business professionals invited to help shape future direction of new organisation

School business professionals are being called on to provide their thoughts and insights into the challenges experienced by the profession.  The call coincides with the announcement that the National Association of School Business Management (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.
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. Schools are under more and more pressure and school business practitioners play an essential part in identifying innovative ways for schools to relieve these pressures and ensure financial stability and sustainability.
“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.”
ISBL will officially launch on Monday, November 20, 2017, following the NASBM Annual Conference (November 16-17 ).  Prior to the launch, the Trustees of NASBM want to hear from as many school business professionals across the country as possible, to better understand what they believe should be the priorities for the new Institute.
Stephen Morales, chief executive of NASBM, added: “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.
“The sector at large is facing many similar challenges and our vision is that we should support as many of the school business leaders within it as possible.  We witness the innovative approaches that many school business professionals employ to bring best practice to their own institutions and are keen that this should be more widely shared which is why involvement in our current research is so important.
“The new Institute will be committed to delivering greater support on qualifications and personal development.  We believe that this will enable the profession to boost its reputation and credibility, as well as enabling individuals to cope with increasing complexity and the day to day pressures they face.”
Share your views and get involved.  The survey will remain open until the end of the Summer Term.