Welcome

Being A SBL Can feel lonely but you don't have to do it Alone

The doors are always open, you’ll never ‘miss the boat’, you don’t have to book a day out of the office and it won’t kill your budget!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN US!


Does this sound like you?
  • You want to connect with like-minded SBLs for support, perspective and advice, but you just can't afford to take the time out of school
  • You feel isolated and that nobody 'gets' what you do
  • You feel buried under endless requests and a never-ending to-do list that you never get to action because you're too busy firefighting
  • You worry that you're missing out on important news and updates from across the sector and feel like you always find out things last minute, if at all
  • You don't get the chance to do any research or collaborative work in terms of improving systems and practice because you're too busy with day-to-day stuff
If it Does, You’re Exactly who I built this community for! It is:
  • An easy way to access focused and responsive support without having to leave your school
  • A community full of people who get how you're feeling, know what you do and understand the obstacles you're facing
  • An environment that is deliberately structured in a way to help you get organised, stay motivated, be reflective and develop your skills
  • A way to keep up-to-date with all the sector news without having to trawl through multiple emails and websites
  • An opportunity to network with SBLs across the country to share ideas and best practice

welcome to the sbl coaching community

The SBL Coaching Community is a unique space for SBLs combining community, coaching and focused, responsive support.

 

It gives you the tools you need to feel in control and on top of everything with a combination of:

  • live coaching calls

  • hot topic brainstorms

  • strategy & planning sessions

  • masterclasses

  • a private chat forum and 

  • a weekly update email with both community news and sector wide updates, links & resources

Screenshot of inside the SBL Coaching Community showing the dashboard

ABout ME: laura williams

I’m Laura, an SBL turned school leadership coach and trainer who is adamant that you don’t have to go it alone.

 

Before I did any of this, I’d worn many hats… I’ve been a Headteacher’s PA, LGB Clerk, HR Officer, Office Manager and School Business Manager as well as a COO, CFO, Company Secretary and a bunch of other stuff in between!
 

If you’re subscribed to my email list, you will be in receipt of my famous (or rather, infamous) Tuesday emails where I talk about all things school business leadership with the aim of motivating and inspiring as well as oversharing my own crazy SBL and personal experiences.

 

Over the last few years, I’ve developed all kinds of SBL support – my Tuesday emails, the School Business Leadership podcast, my SBL support sessions and deep-dive masterclasses along with my 1-on-1 coaching and group coaching programs.

 

The feedback I get from all of the work I do is, ‘I wish this could be a more regular thing/go on for longer’, ‘it’s nice to not feel alone’ and ‘I wish I had you on my shoulder!’

 

And because of the feedback that you’ve given me, I’ve pulled together all the elements you love, I’m giving you more of it AND it’s super accessible, super affordable and available for as long as you need it to be.

 

 
Headshot image of Laura Williams wearing glasses and looking at camera

all members get full access to:

Live: Group Coaching Calls

In these sessions, you can get support and give support to others in a confidential space. These sessions are your chance to dig deep into an issue that you need support with and advice about and it could be anything. If it's bothering you, it's here that you can talk about it.

Live: Strategy Calls

These sessions are about providing you with protected time to do that long-term planning you desperately want to do. They also help you to create the space and time you need to work on that big project or task you know you need to get to AND you get support while you do it!

Live: SBL Lab Sessions

These sessions are themed brainstorming sessions around hot SBL topics which are decided each month by community members. They are interactive, lively sessions where you can ask questions, share best practice and come up with plans!

Live: Masterclasses

Classes delivered by me on key SBL topics including Risk Management, How to Build an Effective and Efficient Office Team and Budget Setting & Monitoring. These will be available in the resources area, accessible to all members all of the time.

A Private Community Forum

Ask questions, share news and hang out with other SBLs, as well as being able to search for and find SBLs in similar schools and at similar career stages to you using our nifty member database... and of course, I hang out in there too!

The Weekly Round-Up Newsletter

'The One Where...' is a weekly recap of community events including links to summary notes and recording links, reminders about upcoming events and links to news, resources and updates from across the sector to help you keep as up to date as possible!

hERE'S WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

"In comparison to some of the groups I have belonged to I get much better value for money from this group. The real life working SBMs are much more hands on and more use than an online library, there is nothing that compares to the interaction we get from these sessions."
Anonymous
School Business Manager
"Being a part of this community gives me a feeling of support thats 'in the know' rather than people who think they understand. I recommend that you join this community as you need to invest something in yourself!"
Gemma Carpenter
School Business Manager
"The community provides a one-stop shop service that is not available anywhere else. You have access to a hive mind of other SBLs who have more than likely been in whatever situation you have faced. Laura has provided excellent advice when I have been faced with a tricky situation. The forum has provided a useful sounding board for new ideas/strategies before taking them to SLT meetings and I love the newsletter! It has become part of my list of weekly 'must reads'. It reminds of things I have signed up to and the addition of news from outside agencies means that I am in a better position to support my school."
Emma Dalziel
School Business Manager
"This community provides the best CPD out of everything I participate in, it feels very tailored, personalised and ‘spot on’. I love the way the calls are friendly and relaxed, yet still extremely helpful! And it is great to have a confidential forum where the members give each other such helpful and well thought out advice. In the calls I attend, I end up with lots of new ideas and renewed confidence in my role. Other SBLs should join this community because it has been invaluable to me. Actually no, because it is precious to me and I feel like I can trust my fellow members!"
Anonymous
School Business Manager
"On a personal level I have felt less alone. As we all know this can be a lonely job and I have a local network but meetings are few and far between. To have the online community at my fingertips has been invaluable. 'Community' really is exactly what it is and exactly what we need. A safe place to seek support, information and camaraderie. Professionally, I have learnt so much from Laura and the other members. When I come to a call with a problem I need help with, I always leave feeling better, as by discussing it as a group you come away with several strands of action. It is so worth taking out an hour from your day, especially when you feel you can't. Even if you have nothing particular to share or to ask assistance with I always leave feeling more positive and with additional knowledge."
Kate Jenner
School Business Manager
"The sharing of thoughts with other like minded people who understand the role is so valuable. Having someone on hand to ask those 'silly' questions' makes my day easier to cope with! Professionally, I feel more confident. The realisation I am not alone has helped me tremendously. Whilst I still suffer from 'imposter sydrome' I know it goes with the territory! Personally, being able to off load, especially at the group coaching sessions has made me a calmer person. This is community of people that understand what our job involves, the highs and lows and the frustrations but most importantly, it's run by Laura who gets us!"
Mandy Britnell
School Business Manager
"It is a fabulous opportunity to network and sometimes you pick things up that you didn’t even know you needed to know or were even on your radar but sharing info as a group has been so beneficial. It doesn’t matter what you want to use it for, someone is always there. I personally used it for a pick me up recently (something I struggle to do in real life) and was lifted immediately by the kind words and support. Sometimes, when you work in a role that can be quite isolating by nature of what we do, being able to connect with others that just know where you are coming from is hugely beneficial and I truly appreciate the honesty and support. I feel good being able to offer suggestions but what I get in return is even greater."
Melissa Singer
Director of Business and Finance
"I do not know what I would do without this support network, because it's national it's not the same faces with the same ideas led by the same Local Authority. This provides another network of SBMs who under normal circumstances you would not get the chance to hear from or seek advice from. My local networking is great but this adds a whole new dimension to the colleagues I can give and receive support from. I learn a lot from others on here. It's definitely a safe space for everyone to vent, ask for help and receive caring and professional support. I love it. It can be a lonely role in school but with this community I never feel stranded."
Rebecca Cunliffe
School Business Manager

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100% Satisfaction Guarantee for 30-Days

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When you join the SBL Coaching Community, you are fully protected by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you don’t feel like you’ve received value and you decide you want to cancel any time within the first 30 days of joining, just let me know and I’ll send you a prompt refund. No hassles, headaches or hoops to jump through.

Frequently Asked Questions

The payment options offered include PayPal and Stripe but if you’d prefer an invoice so you can process payment through your school, I can do that too. Just pop me an email at admin@sblcoachingcommunity.co.uk with your school info and I’ll get an invoice to you.

 

If you’ve already made a payment but would like to request an invoice after the fact, email me at the address above with what you need and I’ll get it sorted!

SBL Coaching Calls are not recorded so all attendees can speak freely in a safe space. Any useful tips shared by the group are noted by me and passed on in the community forum.

 

When the community first opened its doors, SBL Lab Sessions were recorded. While the recording of these calls was useful it impacted the interaction and engagement in discussion as people just weren’t comfortable being recorded! Because of this, these calls are now not recorded but to make sure those who can’t attend don’t miss out, notes are taken by me and shared in the community.

 

The SBL Strategy Calls aren’t recorded because they are not about content but more about co-working, collaboration and protecting your time! Trust me, you’ll love them.

 

The exception to the no-recording rule is the Masterclasses. These are recorded live and are shared in the resource area which is accessible to all members.

The idea behind the SBL Coaching Community is that it is support that can work on your schedule.

 

Notes will be shared in the community but you will find most sessions are available in multiple time slots to increase the chance of you being able to join us!

 

If you find you’re unable to join the calls, that’s totally ok. It’s certainly not an expectation that you do! Stuff happens, life gets in the way, school gets crazy – or maybe you just don’t need support or aren’t in the right headspace. 

 

Our Founding Members have experienced this too and with the chat forum, email updates and notes from calls, they’ve been able to keep up to date with what’s going on just fine.

 

Whilst live calls are a big part of what we do in the community, you don’t have to be on them all to get value from what we do here!

 

Plus we’re here whenever you’re ready to jump back in!

The SBL Coaching Community is something completely new! A different type of CPD for SBLs.

 

100% online, coaching-led, and available to SBLs across the UK.

 

This community is a safe, supportive space that’s both affordable and readily available to you whenever you need it the most – and it’s focused around both supporting you right now and helping you to develop and progress both in your current role and your next!

I get it! You know from my Tuesday emails that I get serious nerves and imposter syndrome… but, 10% braver usually sees me through!

 

If you’re feeling nervous, come along any way! There’s no pressure to interact but once you’ve attended a couple of sessions, I’m sure you’ll start to feel more comfortable.

 

The community is made up solely of SBLs just like you so there is no pressure to be “on it”, you can just be you.

You are welcome to upgrade at any time, but it will need me to work some magic technologically. Email me at admin@sblcoachingcommunity.co.uk for more details!

 

I’m 100% sure that you’ll love it! However, if I’m wrong (it happens!), you can request a full refund within the first 30 days. Please see our Terms of Use for full details.

You can cancel your membership at any time with 7 days notice. Please note, payments made due to lack of notice will not be refunded. Your access will remain until your current membership subscription expires, whether that is on a monthly or annual plan.

 

If you don’t want to cancel but need a break for any reason, please email me at admin@sblcoachingcommunity.co.uk and I’ll help however I can!

If there’s something else you’d like to know, no problem! Email me at admin@sblcoachingcommunity.co.uk at any time.