The Department for Education has said applications for its level 7 and level 4 school business professional bursaries are currently closed, while further funded procurement training is expected to be available in spring 2027. The update affects school business professionals in England who rely on the DfE’s training and development offer for qualifications, mentoring and procurement skills.
Key facts
- Applications for the level 7 and level 4 bursaries are closed.
- The bursaries previously covered 75% of the cost of eligible qualifications.
- Applications for autumn term 2026 CIPS Procurement Fundamentals sessions are also closed.
- DfE says more funded Procurement Fundamentals training is expected in spring 2027.
- Free regional in-person training workshops and a mentoring programme remain part of the offer.
What does this mean for school business professionals?
For school business professionals in maintained schools and trusts, the immediate effect is that two DfE bursary routes are shut for now. The level 7 bursary had supported the CIPFA Level 7 Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership, while the level 4 bursary had supported the ILM Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers.
The guidance says any future bursary rounds will be advertised through the Maximising value for pupils newsletter and DfE Update. It also says applicants who do not secure a bursary, or who are not eligible, may want to look at other qualifications from various providers. Schools and trusts can still use other support routes, including free regional in-person workshops, procurement training from sector partners and the mentoring programme for school business managers, school finance managers and chief financial and operating officers.
- Eligibility for bursaries had required permanent employment in a maintained school or trust.
- Applicants also had to confirm employer support and commitment to complete the course, which typically runs for 12 to 18 months.
- Free mentoring places are limited and must be requested by email.
What training is still available?
DfE continues to fund 2.5-hour regional in-person workshops delivered by the Institute of School Business Leadership for SBPs in academies, trusts, local-authority-maintained schools and federations. Topics include integrated curriculum and financial planning, procurement, HR and flexible working. Open sessions can be booked directly, and closed sessions can be arranged for trusts, federations, local authorities and local SBP networks.
In procurement, the guidance says DfE-funded CIPS Procurement Fundamentals training is a one-day virtual workshop, but applications for autumn term 2026 are closed. The department expects further funded sessions in spring 2027. It also points to other procurement and contract management options through the Government Commercial College, ISBL and ESPO.
How do schools and trusts access the remaining support?
Schools and trusts can still use the free mentoring programme under the school resource management advisers scheme, which is aimed at school business managers, school finance managers and chief financial and operating officers. The guidance also directs professionals to professional bodies and local authorities for further training and support.
For procurement-focused development, multi-academy trusts interested in group delivery of the CIPS Fundamentals training are told to contact CIPS directly. Those interested in future procurement cohorts can register their interest by email for the closed pilot programme.
Frequently asked questions
Who can still get DfE-funded training now?
School business professionals in academies, trusts, local-authority-maintained schools and federations can still access free regional in-person workshops. Some mentoring support is also available, and procurement training remains available through sector partners even though DfE-funded bursary and autumn 2026 procurement applications are closed.
When might funded procurement training reopen?
The guidance says further funded CIPS Procurement Fundamentals training is expected in the spring term of 2027, with details to be published once confirmed.
