New toolkit can save academies millions, says DfE

The Government has this week launched a new toolkit designed to help save schools cut down on billions of pounds in non-staffing costs.

The Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, said the toolkit is being published in response to new figures which show that schools spend some £10 billion each year on non-staffing expenditure.

The toolkit is being released as part of the School Resource Management Strategy, which also includes information on how to work collaboratively with other schools to “drive down costs” on expenditure such as stationery, energy and water bills, as well as staff recruitment and retention.

The new measures follow on from recent successes in 2015/15 and 2016/17, in which the Government launched a nationwide network of School Resource Management Advisors. As a result of helping schools spend funding effectively and efficiently, the advisor network is said to have saved schools some £106 million.

Cutting costs is a major focus for the Department for Education (DfE). The strategy also recently saw the Government clamp down on agencies charging schools excessive fees to recruit staff, while also offering a free platform to help save on around £75 million in advertising costs each year.

Commenting on the new toolkit, Mr Hinds said: “I want to help schools use their resources as effectively as possible. This strategy equips head teachers and school business professionals with the practical advice, resources and support they need so that they can focus on what they do so well – delivering high-quality education for their pupils.

“There can be no great schools without great teachers to inspire and motivate children, so it’s absolutely right that we help schools to maximise the money they have to spend in the classroom by working together, making sure they’re getting the best deals and are not being overcharged for services.”