Yesterday, we held the first day of the annual School Business Managers (SBMs) conference and 30 colleagues from across Camden braved the icy conditions to come together for a really engaging day.

The morning provided the opportunity for Prue Barnes-Kemp (Executive Headteacher from Opossum Education) to work with the group, focusing on managing up, down and laterally across a school organisation, as well as reflecting on personal resilience in their challenging role. In the afternoon Owen Rees updated SBMs on the topical subject of GDPR-which is such a minefield; Owen navigated the subject outlining responsibilities and time frames going forward. One of the most popular sessions of the day was sharing good practice across the breadth of our Camden Schools, where a number of colleagues shared imaginative activities and initiatives they had undertaken, which included cashless system, fundraising and the power of collective procurement.

In my session, I recognised the broad spectrum of roles our SBMS undertake (finance, HR, procurement, facilities, insurance…..) I stopped counting after sixteen or so!!! They are gifted and expert group, with an array of skills, that we rely on so heavily in schools and their away day really gave them the space to collaborate and think ahead.

Have a good week ahead, clearly spring is on its way!!!!!

Jon Abbey

Managing Director of Camden Learning