Schools opt for lower-cost IT route

Government plans to save £1bn in education spending has struck a chord with money conscious schools, BESA research reveals

Schools have become more cost-savvy when it comes to procuring their IT, research from the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) has revealed.

The education trade association, in partnership with the National Education Research Panel (NERP), questioned 630 schools (325 primary and 305 secondary) this month for its annual Procurement in Schools survey.

In total, 84 per cent of schools are now purchasing from low-cost web providers, and always or sometimes use non-branded products (52 per cent primary, 71 per cent secondary).

In addition, 86 per cent of primary and 83 per cent of secondary schools search for and react to special offers, the research found.

It also revealed that 85 per cent of primary and 80 per cent of secondary schools are moving purchasing away from local authority control.

According to BESA, the cost savings have been led by the government’s spending review, which aims to achieve savings in schools of at least £1bn.

Caroline Wright, director of BESA, said: “It is heartening to know that schools are looking to support the government’s spending review by cutting costs without having to reduce the amount of products and resources purchased.”

But she also issued a warning to schools: “As the sector’s trade association, our word of warning to schools is to always consider the total cost of ownership of all products, taking into account the product’s quality, warranty and fit for purpose.”