SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER

Lancashire County Council; Walton-le-Dale; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing supervision

Strong governing body

Friendly team

Laughter and camaraderie

Job summary

Lostock Hall Community Primary School in Preston, Lancashire, is seeking an experienced School Business Manager to lead financial and administrative functions, monitor the budget and secure funding streams.

The successful candidate will work with governors, staff and stakeholders, ensure value for money, produce reports, and help develop the school's strategic plan while maintaining high standards of safeguarding and leadership.

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs or equivalent including English and Mathematics.
• Professional qualification in finance, accounting or business administration (eg Certificate in School Business Management).
• Desirable: Diploma in School Business Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial and administrative functions of the school.
• Manage and monitor the school budget and communicate financial position to Governors.
• Develop and secure additional funding and marketing for the school and pre-school.
• Produce and interpret reports for effective decision-making by leadership and Governors.
• Oversee day-to-day management and maintain the school ethos and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Financial management

Budget monitoring

Report production

Stakeholder communication

Leadership & management

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Certificate in School Business Management

Diploma in School Business Management

Job description

Location Lostock Hall Community Primary School, Linden Drive, Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 5AS (418 on roll)

Tel: [phone]

School website: www.lostockhallcps.co.uk

Summary Due to the relocation of the current post holder, we are looking for an experienced and professional School Business Manager who goes the extra mile for our children and school. This is a very rewarding role which would suit an established SBM or an experienced school administrator who can demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to be successful in this position. You will need to be a skilled professional who has the understanding and ability to lead and manage the financial and administrative functions of the school. You should possess sound financial management skills with the ability to manage and monitor the school budget, effectively communicating the school’s financial position to the Governors. You will be innovative in finding and securing additional funding streams as well as marketing our School & Pre-School so that we continue to flourish. Excellent time management skills with the ability to work with accuracy with frequent interruptions and under pressure are a pre-requisite for this role. Working hours 37 per week over 5 days - 8.00am - 3.54pm with 30 minutes for lunch, working term time plus 2 weeks.

You will:

• Have management experience, skills and competencies to enable you to work innovatively and contribute to the development of Lostock Hall Community Primary School in the future.
• Have the ability to contribute to the strategic development of the school to ensure we deliver best value for our pupils both now and in the future.
• Be able to produce, understand and effectively communicate reports considering the implications and next steps for the school.
• Be an organised, friendly and outward looking person who can take responsibility for operational aspects of the future development, and areas of day-to-day management of Lostock Hall Community Primary School.
• Be warm and friendly as you will be the first point of contact for all stakeholders, visitors and contractors and must be able to uphold the school’s ethos, values and aims.

We can offer:

• Extraordinary children who are a pleasure to interact with
• A system of supervision to support your well-being as a member of our friendly team who will support you
• A strong and supportive Governing Body
• A lot of laughter and camaraderie

If you are a hardworking professional who endeavours to ensure that we can provide the very best for our children, then we want to hear from you!

We strongly advise visiting the school and encourage visits which can be booked via the School Office (01772 338289).

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

This position is part time, term time only, please note the salary quoted is full time equivalent. If successful, the salary received will be paid on a pro –rata basis.

The closing date is 02/11/2026 at 12 noon

Essential Qualifications

• 4 GCSE’s or equivalent grade A – C including English and Mathematics
• Professional qualification in finance, accounting or business administration eg Certificate in school Business Management

Desirable Qualifications

• Diploma in School Business Management

Essential Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience of working in a school in a finance/administration role.

Desirable Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience of working in a primary school in a senior finance/administration role

For an informal discussion please contact: Please contact Laura Webb, Headteacher 01772 338289 or email [e-mail]

Proposed Interview Date: 12/11/2026

An Equal Opportunities Employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community

Rehabilitation Rehabilitation The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at www.gov.uk/dbs or alternatively a copy is available on request. Lancashire County Council has a Handling of DBS Certificate Information Policy and a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders this is available from the recruiting manager to applicants who are asked to complete a DBS application.

The County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all people in terms of recruitment, selection and employment, and is a Disability Confident employer, which means that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification will be interviewed. However, commitment to this standard is on an individual school basis and, therefore, if you are applying for a position within a school, you will need to check with the school whether they have made the decision to comply with this standard.

Please note that we can only consider applications from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the UK.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.