School Business Manager

About Priestley Smith School

This is a really exciting opportunity to work in a unique school with lots of inspiring and innovative opportunities. The vision of Priestley Smith Specialist School is to be an outward-looking centre of excellence in the education of children with visual impairments. Priestley Smith is a successful and very caring Specialist School for children with Vision Impairments, most of whom have additional medical, physical, SEMH or sensory needs.

At Priestley Smith we strive to create a special place where all children, parents, governors and staff feel valued and respected and work together within a happy, friendly and caring learning community. It is a regional LA maintained school, meeting the needs of children across the whole of Birmingham and from surrounding local authorities. It has a very strong, experienced and supportive Governing Body and works in close partnership with parents and carers.

The school consists of a purpose built primary and secondary school and the school manages a service level agreement to Birmingham City Council Sensory Support Services for the delivery of Specialist Outreach Services.

The School Business Manager will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership infinance,HR,administration,facilities,ICT and compliance.
• Oversee budgeting, financial control, procurement, payroll and income generation (grants, services contracts).
• Lead HR processes: recruitment, payroll, Single Central Record, staff contracts, induction and performance reviews.
• Ensure statutory compliance: safeguarding, health & safety, fire safety, GDPR and the schools’ regulations.
• Manage premises operations, contractor relationships, and maintenance plans.
• Maintain and report on MIS, ICT systems and data integrity.
• Advise the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body with timely reports and financial insight.
• Supervise administrative staff to ensure effective records management for pupils and personnel.
• Support strategic projects, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives

• The opportunity to work in an exceptional specialist school.
• A supportive, committed Leadership team and Governing Body with strong links to the LA and Birmingham Special School Heads Association.
• A collaborative, highly skilled staff community dedicated to excellence in SEND provision.
• Ongoing professional development, including training in visual impairment and sector‑specific compliance.
• The satisfaction of contributing to a vibrant learning community where all feel valued, safe and respected.

• Is enthusiastic, highly organised and enjoys working in a busy school environment.
• Has proven experience in school or education business management.
• Demonstrates strong financial acumen, HR expertise and knowledge of compliance frameworks.
• Is an excellent team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can manage multiple priorities calmly and efficiently.

Visits are warmly welcomed. Please contact the school office on  to arrange a visit. For an application pack, please e-mail Trudi Nichollsat t.ni

Priestley Smith Specialist VI School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks (including enhanced DBS, Prohibition check, Childcare Disqualification (where applicable), qualifications (where applicable), medical fitness, identity and right to work).

All applicants will be required to provide two suitable references.

An online search will also be carried out as part of due diligence on all short-listed candidates.