Guest Blog: ISBL Continuing Professional Development

At the start of a new year you may be thinking about the future and where you might want to be in a year’s time. Professional development is at the heart of career progression and this week we have a guest blog from Lee Herridge, Director of Professional Development and Sector Development at the ISBL which looks at the practical steps you can take to move your career forward.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for School Business Professionals

In the rapidly evolving education sector, the role of school business professionals (SBPs) has become increasingly more strategic and specialised. There is a proliferation of roles that are categorised under the umbrella term of SBPs, from those working in a local authority maintained school to central and executive roles within multi-academy trusts. The profession has evolved to support the growing autonomy of the education sector. This has seen the requirement for SBPs roles to expand across all areas of financial and operational activities and be included in the strategic leadership of their schools and trusts. ISBL has responded to this shift by developing a coherent framework for CPD, qualifications, and accreditation tied to clear professional standards. This article unpacks how CPD for SBPs can be approached through the ISBL pathway by exploring: the Professional Standards, self- assessment, accreditation and qualification routes.

Self-Assessment as a Starting Point

At the heart of ISBL’s offering are the Professional Standards, which define the core competencies and behaviours expected at each of the levels of practice from Foundation to Strategic levels, across six main discipline areas. From a CPD perspective, they provide the reference framework: by mapping your current capabilities against the standard, you can identify gaps and target learning accordingly.

The ISBL self-assessment tool allows you to complete a self-diagnosis against the Professional Standards. For a school business professional, this means you can:

• Identify where you currently sit in terms of competence and responsibility.

• Map your CPD needs directly against the standards.

• Show evidence of development need over time (useful for performance management and career progression).

• Use the report to inform conversations with line managers about your next step

Qualification Pathways

CPD through ISBL is delivered through multiple channels, including short courses, modular training and accredited programmes, linked directly to the Professional Standards.

In terms of qualifications, ISBL has partnered with professional bodies, universities and learning-providers to deliver generalist and specialist qualifications that are contextualised for the school business profession. These qualifications span apprenticeships, certificates and diplomas at different levels, which map to the ISBL Professional Standards (and career pathways).

The SBP Development journey below shows the different qualifications available for SBPs from foundation to strategic level across both generalist and specialist roles:

Many SBPs are now progressing from completing a level 4 Diploma in School Business Management, onto strategic qualifications including the CIPFA Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership (for Finance specialists) and/or the new Mini MBA in Strategic Operational Leadership for Schools and Trusts (for Operational specialists).

When contemplating your next potential qualification, you should consider:

• What practitioner level you currently occupy (via self-assessment).

• What next level you wish to reach and what development is required.

• What your specific gaps are and/or what your school or trust future needs may be.

• How the training or qualifications offered by ISBL aligns with those requirements.

Accreditation and Fellowship

Once you have completed your self-assessment and identified the given practitioner level that you are operating at, ISBL offers formal accreditation. Alongside your self-assessment report, you can submit an employer statement verifying your practitioner level as well as proof of relevant qualifications that align to each level. Upon successful completion, you receive a certificate and digital badge to confirm your status.

This accreditation serves multiple functions: professional recognition, a differentiator in career progression, and assurance to employers of your competence at a given level. Beyond practitioner-level accreditation, ISBL offers Fellowship status. Being recognised as an ISBL Fellow demonstrates that you are a system leader within the profession, committed to developing your knowledge and skills (and those of others).

Therefore, CPD for SBPs is not just about acquiring skills and knowledge, but also about building a recognised professional identity, evidenced through accreditation and your wider contributions to the sector.

Practical Steps for SBPs Undertaking CPD with ISBL

Here is a suggested 5-step practical approach:

1. Baseline – Use the ISBL self-assessment tool to establish your current level of competence and responsibilities across the six discipline areas.

2. Plan – Based on your assessment report, identify key gaps, development areas and your target practitioner level. Align these with your career ambitions (e.g., moving from Lead to Strategic level).

3. Engage in CPD – Choose CPD opportunities (training, webinars, qualifications or mentorship) that map to your identified development areas and the ISBL Professional Standards. Ensure you keep records of learning, reflections and outcomes.

4. Formalise – If you believe you meet the requirements both in terms of experience and qualification level, explore accreditation with ISBL. Preparing evidence (self- assessment report, employer statement, qualifications) demonstrates your readiness.

5. Review & Grow – Make your self-assessment an annual habit and coordinate this around your annual appraisal. If you don’t have a set appraisal point then use your personal review point as an opportunity to engage with your line manager and request an opportunity to discuss your performance and professional progression and development. Use accreditation status as a milestone, but continue to build your practice, network with peers, contribute to the profession and consider further qualifications (e.g., level 7 or Fellowship) to remain at the forefront of the field.

Why CPD Matters for Schools, Trusts and SBPs

For schools and trusts, having SBPs who engage with ISBL’s CPD, self-assessment and accreditation mean improved operational effectiveness, stronger leadership, and more professionalised resource management. ISBL’s standards are recognised by sector bodies (such as NAHT, CST and ASCL) and the Department for Education as the key reference for the business profession in education.

For individual SBPs, actively following the ISBL pathway enhances credibility, career mobility and the ability to add strategic value to your school or trust.

The CPD model offered by ISBL represents a matured and structured approach for school business professionals. By anchoring learning and development in the Professional Standards, enabling self-assessment, offering accreditation and supporting a qualification pathway, ISBL provides a professional framework that is not just beneficial—it is increasingly essential.

Find out more here: https://www.isbl.org.uk/