5 Tips for Schools to Save Money
Schools across the UK are facing budget cuts and financial hardship, but there are ways to save money without compromising quality and Heatons is here to help.
Schools throughout the UK are facing another year of budget cuts, restricted funding and general financial hardship, meaning many schools across the country are having to work harder than ever to make their money go further.
Here at Heatons, we want to support School Business Managers during this difficult time, so we've put together our top five tips for saving money without compromising standards and the longevity of schools.
Review your supplier deals
Costs are constantly changing, and using a supplier that keeps you in the loop is important to keeping costs down. Some suppliers can get cheeky. They'll leave prices for years despite the overall cost of a product decreasing. Meaning the schools are paying through the nose for a product they could be getting for much cheaper. Partnering with suppliers with regular pricing updates can be extremely beneficial, allowing you to regularly review and negotiate prices.
Implement energy efficient systems
Recycled materials can go as far as recycled business supplies. With the price of eco-friendly supplies decreasing, you'll start to find these alternatives are sometimes the better option. Being energy effienct can also include moving to LED lighting or eco-cooling systems. These should help reduce overhead costs, whilst also being more environmentally friendly. Be warned though, this may be financially beneficial in the long run, but may have a larger initial cost in the short term.
Encourage energy conservation
Encouraging the significance of conserving energy to both staff and students can promote simple behaviours that will reduce overhead costs. One small action by each person, like turning off electrics rather than leaving them on standby, can potentially contribute to massive savings.
Plan for the long-term
Like in any business, long-term planning allows your business to strategically forecast a financial objective with commitment and motivation. By setting priorities for spending, you'll start to discover exactly where your school’s money is going, and potential places where you could save or reduce costs.
Review staff expenses
It is imperative that you meet the needs of your staff, however their added expenses may be something that can be reduced. If your staff travel to multiple sites, investigate public transport passes. The cost of a multi-use pass may be much lower than individual tickets. Training is also a vital part of professional development, confirming that all of your staff are pulling in the same direction. Some companies offer bundled discounts for training, again potentially being a lower cost than purchasing training courses individually.
These are just a few ways in which you save money within your school. With cautious planning, a rethink on resources, and switching to the lower cost utilities, it can be possible to save your school money, and navigate through these uncertain times.
While Heatons can’t help in every aspect of cost saving measures, we'd love to assist with what we can. Reviewing your supplier deals allows your school to plan for the long-term, and this is something we do with our schools regularly. If you’d like us to take a look at your business supply costs, reach out today.
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