Schoolsplus.co.uk Reviews

Based on checking the website, Schools Plus appears to be a legitimate and well-established service that specializes in managing the letting of school facilities for community use.

Their core offering revolves around helping schools generate additional income by opening up their sports halls, classrooms, pitches, and other venues outside of regular school hours.

This seems to be a straightforward business model focused on optimizing asset utilization for educational institutions and providing accessible spaces for various community activities, which aligns well with beneficial community engagement.

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IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Schoolsplus.co.uk Review & First Look

Upon a first look at Schoolsplus.co.uk, it’s clear they are professionals in school venue management.

The website is clean, user-friendly, and immediately conveys its purpose: connecting schools with the community for facility hire.

They emphasize a “fully-managed service,” which is a key differentiator for schools looking to avoid the logistical burdens of managing bookings themselves.

What Schoolsplus.co.uk Offers

Schools Plus offers a comprehensive solution for schools aiming to maximize the use of their facilities.

They handle everything from marketing and booking management to staffing and on-site support.

This allows schools to focus on their primary educational mission while generating revenue.

• Venue Management: Full operational management of school facilities.
• Booking System: An efficient system for community members to find and book venues.
• Staffing: Provision of trained staff to manage lettings outside school hours.
• Marketing: Promoting school venues to attract community groups and individuals.
• Income Generation: Helping schools create a consistent revenue stream from their underutilized assets.

Target Audience

Schoolsplus.co.uk primarily targets two main groups:

• Schools: Specifically, headteachers, business managers, and governors who are looking to increase income, improve community engagement, and reduce the administrative burden of facility lettings.
• Community Users: Individuals, clubs, and organizations seeking venues for sports, meetings, events, and educational activities.

Schoolsplus.co.uk Features

Schoolsplus.co.uk presents a suite of features designed to make school lettings seamless for both schools and community users.

Their 20 years of experience in this niche market suggest a refined understanding of the complexities involved.

Comprehensive Venue Management

One of the standout features is their end-to-end venue management. This isn’t just about listing a space. Eoncapitalpartners.com Reviews

It’s about a complete operational takeover of the letting process. This includes:

• Scheduling and Calendar Management: Ensuring no double bookings and optimizing availability.
• On-Site Staff: Providing trained personnel to open, close, and supervise facilities during community use.
• Security Protocols: Implementing procedures to ensure the safety of school premises.
• Maintenance Coordination: Addressing any issues that arise from facility usage.

User-Friendly Booking Platform

For community users, the website offers an intuitive platform to find and book venues. Key aspects include:

• Search Filters: Users can search by location e.g., London, Manchester, Nottingham, venue type Astro Turf, Theatre & Arts, and activity.
• Venue Profiles: Each listed venue provides details on its suitability for different activities e.g., “Great For: Astro Turf, Conferences, Indoor Sports”.
• Enquiry System: A clear call to action for users to enquire about specific venues or services.

Marketing and Outreach

Schools Plus actively promotes the facilities they manage, ensuring high utilization rates. Their marketing efforts include:

• Online Presence: Utilizing their website and potentially social media Facebook, Twitter as linked to showcase available venues.
• Community Connections: Building relationships with local clubs, sports groups, and organizations that need regular venue hire.
• Case Studies: Showcasing success stories of schools that have significantly increased their lettings revenue and community engagement, providing tangible evidence of their impact.

Schoolsplus.co.uk Pros & Cons

Like any service, Schoolsplus.co.uk has its strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Evaluating these helps schools and community users make informed decisions.

Pros:

• Revenue Generation for Schools: Schools Plus helps unlock a significant income stream from underutilized assets. This is crucial for schools facing budget constraints. Data from their case studies often highlights substantial increases in letting revenue, sometimes tripling or quadrupling existing income.
• Reduced Administrative Burden: Schools are relieved of the day-to-day management of bookings, enquiries, and on-site supervision. This frees up school staff to focus on educational priorities.
• Enhanced Community Engagement: By opening up facilities, schools become vital community hubs, fostering local connections and providing much-needed spaces for activities.
• Expertise and Experience: With over 20 years in the field, Schools Plus brings a wealth of knowledge in optimizing school lettings, navigating regulations, and marketing venues effectively.
• Dedicated Staff: They provide trained staff who are present during community use, ensuring smooth operations and security.
• Wide Geographic Coverage: Their network extends across various regions in England, including London, the North, Midlands, and South East, offering options for many schools and users.

Cons:

• Commission-Based Model: While not explicitly detailed on the public-facing pages, it’s typical for such services to operate on a commission or revenue-share basis. Schools need to thoroughly understand the financial agreement to ensure it’s beneficial.
• Loss of Direct Control: Schools hand over a significant amount of control over their facility lettings to a third party. While this reduces burden, some schools might prefer more direct oversight.
• Potential for Scheduling Conflicts: Although managed by Schools Plus, ensuring seamless integration with school activities and avoiding conflicts requires careful coordination.
• Reliance on External Staff: The quality of the service for community users will depend heavily on the Schools Plus staff managing the venues.
• Limited Online Booking for Users: While users can find venues and enquire, a direct, real-time online booking and payment system doesn’t appear to be immediately visible on the main user interface. This might require additional steps for booking, potentially delaying the process for some users.

Schoolsplus.co.uk Alternatives

For schools and community groups seeking alternatives to Schoolsplus.co.uk, several options exist, ranging from in-house management to other specialized platforms.

The best alternative depends on the school’s resources, desired level of control, and specific needs.

In-House Management

Many schools choose to manage their lettings internally.

• Pros: Full control over pricing, scheduling, and community engagement. All revenue directly benefits the school.
• Cons: Requires significant administrative time, dedicated staff, marketing efforts, and a robust internal booking system. Can be burdensome for schools with limited resources.
• Best For: Schools with existing administrative capacity and a strong desire for direct control.

Other Lettings Management Companies

Several companies offer similar school facility management services.

• EduLettings: Another prominent provider specializing in managing school facility hire, often focusing on sports facilities and community engagement.
• Community Sports & Educational Development CSED: A non-profit that also helps schools manage facilities, often with a focus on sports development.
• School Space: Similar to Schools Plus, providing fully managed lettings services for schools across the UK.
• Pros: Similar benefits to Schools Plus, offering a managed service with revenue generation.
• Cons: Each company will have different fee structures, service levels, and geographic reach. Requires due diligence to find the best fit.
• Best For: Schools looking for a managed solution but want to compare different providers and their offerings.

Online Booking Platforms

Platforms that help schools list their facilities online, often with integrated booking and payment systems, but may require more in-house management than a fully managed service. 911globalmeds.com Reviews

• BookingsPlus by ParentPay: While often known for school payments, ParentPay also offers a system for managing clubs and facility bookings, which could be adapted for lettings.
• Pitchbooking.com: Primarily focused on sports pitches, this platform allows users to find and book sports facilities, which could include school pitches.
• SaaS Booking Software: Generic booking software solutions e.g., Skedda, Booksy that schools could adapt to manage their venues, though this would require significant setup and ongoing management from the school.
• Pros: Streamlined online booking experience for users, potentially lower commission rates than fully managed services.
• Cons: Less hands-on support for on-site management, marketing, and staff provision compared to Schools Plus. Schools would still need to manage the physical aspects of lettings.
• Best For: Schools that want an online booking system but prefer to retain more control over the operational aspects of lettings.

How to Work with Schoolsplus.co.uk For Schools

For schools considering partnering with Schools Plus, the process is designed to be straightforward, allowing institutions to quickly benefit from their services.

Initial Consultation and Assessment

The first step typically involves an initial consultation where Schools Plus assesses the school’s needs and facilities.

• Contact: Schools can initiate contact via phone 0345 222 2323 or email [email protected], as listed on their website.
• Facility Review: Schools Plus will likely conduct a site visit to evaluate the available facilities sports halls, classrooms, pitches, drama studios, dining halls and discuss their potential for community use.
• Needs Analysis: Discussions will cover the school’s objectives, current challenges with lettings, and desired outcomes e.g., specific revenue targets, community engagement goals.

Proposal and Agreement

Following the assessment, Schools Plus will present a tailored proposal.

• Service Outline: The proposal will detail the scope of services, including marketing, booking management, staffing, and revenue generation strategies.
• Financial Model: This crucial section will explain how Schools Plus generates income, typically through a revenue-sharing model or a management fee, and the projected income for the school. Transparency here is key for both parties.
• Contract: A formal agreement outlining terms, responsibilities, and key performance indicators KPIs. Schools should carefully review all contractual terms, including notice periods and cancellation policies.

Implementation and Ongoing Management

Once an agreement is in place, Schools Plus moves into the implementation phase.

• Onboarding: This involves setting up the school’s facilities on the Schools Plus booking system, training new staff, and integrating with the school’s existing operations where necessary.
• Marketing Launch: Schools Plus will begin promoting the school’s facilities to their network of community groups and through their marketing channels.
• Operational Handover: Schools Plus takes over the day-to-day management of lettings, including handling enquiries, bookings, payments, and on-site supervision.
• Regular Reporting: Schools can expect regular reports on bookings, revenue generated, and utilization rates, allowing them to track the success of the partnership. This often includes insights into popular facilities and peak booking times.

Schoolsplus.co.uk Pricing

Schoolsplus.co.uk operates on a model that aims to be mutually beneficial, primarily focusing on revenue generation for schools without upfront costs.

While specific figures aren’t publicly disclosed on their general website, the underlying principle is clear: they make money when the school makes money.

Revenue-Sharing Model

The most common approach for services like Schools Plus is a revenue-sharing model.

• How it Works: Schools Plus takes a percentage of the income generated from facility lettings. This means that the school doesn’t pay an upfront fee. instead, Schools Plus’s earnings are directly tied to the success of the lettings.
• Benefits for Schools: This model is attractive to schools as it minimizes financial risk. If the facilities aren’t utilized, the school incurs no direct cost from Schools Plus. It aligns the interests of Schools Plus with those of the school – both benefit from increased bookings.
• Typical Percentages: While specific percentages are negotiated per school and facility, such models can range from a 20% to 50% share for the management company, depending on the level of service provided, the types of facilities, and the projected income. A higher percentage for the management company usually implies a more comprehensive service, including staffing, marketing, and full operational responsibility.

Value Proposition

The pricing model reflects the value Schools Plus brings:

• Expertise: Access to their 20 years of experience in optimizing venue utilization.
• Reduced Burden: Alleviation of administrative and operational tasks for school staff.
• Guaranteed Staffing: Provision of trained personnel for managing facilities outside school hours.
• Marketing Reach: Leverage their network and marketing efforts to attract diverse community users.
• No Upfront Costs: A significant advantage for schools operating on tight budgets, as they only pay when income is generated.

What Impacts Pricing

The exact terms will likely vary based on several factors:

• Facility Type and Condition: Newer, well-maintained facilities or specialized venues e.g., 3G pitches, theatres might command different terms.
• Location: Demand for facilities can vary significantly by geographic area.
• Current Lettings Volume: Schools that already have some letting activity might have different agreements than those starting from scratch.
• Scope of Service: If the school requires additional services beyond standard management, this could influence the financial agreement.

Schools interested in partnering with Schools Plus should request a detailed proposal that clearly outlines the financial structure, including the revenue-sharing percentage and any other potential costs or charges. Gridpanel.net Reviews

This transparency is crucial for ensuring a mutually beneficial long-term partnership.

Recruitment Opportunities at Schoolsplus.co.uk

Schoolsplus.co.uk also highlights various recruitment opportunities, indicating a dynamic and growing organization.

This section is particularly relevant for individuals seeking flexible or community-focused employment within the education sector.

Types of Roles Available

Schools Plus frequently recruits for a range of positions, primarily focused on the operational management of school venues.

• Venue Staff Part-time: These are the on-the-ground personnel responsible for opening and closing facilities, assisting users, ensuring safety, and providing general support during community lettings. These roles often offer flexible hours, making them suitable for students, retirees, or individuals seeking supplementary income.
• Venue Manager Full-time: More senior roles that involve overseeing the operations of one or more school venues. Responsibilities include staff management, scheduling, client relations, and ensuring smooth service delivery.
• Regional Managers, Administrative Roles: While less frequently advertised publicly, a growing company like Schools Plus would also have opportunities in regional management, sales, marketing, or administrative support at their head office.

What Schools Plus Looks For

The company generally seeks individuals who are:

• Reliable and Punctual: Essential for managing facility access and ensuring events run on time.
• Customer-Focused: Able to interact positively with community users and address their needs.
• Proactive and Responsible: Capable of working independently and taking initiative to resolve issues.
• Team Players: Especially for manager roles, the ability to lead and coordinate staff effectively.
• Community-Minded: An appreciation for the role schools play in the community and a desire to facilitate positive engagement.

Application Process

Interested candidates can typically find opportunities directly on the Schoolsplus.co.uk website under a “Job Vacancies” or “Recruitment” section.

• Online Portal: Often, there’s an online portal or a dedicated email address for submitting applications.
• Resume/CV and Cover Letter: Standard application requirements.
• Interview Process: This usually involves one or more interviews to assess skills, experience, and fit with the company culture.
• DBS Checks: Given the nature of working within school environments, successful candidates will almost certainly be subject to enhanced DBS Disclosure and Barring Service checks in the UK to ensure suitability for working with children and vulnerable adults.

Working for Schools Plus can offer a unique opportunity to be part of a service that directly contributes to local communities and supports educational institutions, providing valuable experience in facility management and community relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Schoolsplus.co.uk?

Schoolsplus.co.uk is a service that manages the letting of school facilities such as sports halls, classrooms, and pitches to the wider community outside of regular school hours, helping schools generate income and fostering community engagement.

How does Schools Plus help schools?

Schools Plus helps schools by providing a fully managed service for facility lettings, handling everything from marketing and bookings to staffing and on-site support, which generates revenue and reduces the administrative burden on school staff.

What types of facilities can be hired through Schoolsplus.co.uk?

A wide range of school facilities can be hired, including Astro Turfs, indoor sports halls, classrooms, meeting rooms, theatre and arts spaces, drama studios, and dining halls. Moremoneymorelove.de Reviews

Is Schools Plus a free service for schools?

Schools Plus typically operates on a revenue-sharing model, meaning schools don’t pay an upfront fee.

Instead, Schools Plus takes a percentage of the income generated from facility lettings.

How do I book a venue through Schoolsplus.co.uk?

You can find venues on the Schoolsplus.co.uk website by searching based on location or activity type.

Once you find a suitable venue, you can use the enquiry system to get more information or make a booking request.

What areas does Schools Plus cover?

Schools Plus covers a wide range of locations across England, including London Central, North, East, South, West, North of England, Midlands & East Anglia, and the South East and South West.

Does Schools Plus provide staff for the hired venues?

Yes, Schools Plus provides trained staff to manage the facilities during community use, ensuring smooth operations, safety, and support for hirers.

How long has Schools Plus been operating?

Schools Plus has been developing its unique program for over 20 years, indicating extensive experience in school lettings services.

Can Schools Plus help with improving our school’s community image?

Yes, by opening up school facilities to the community, Schools Plus helps improve a school’s local image and strengthens its role as a community hub.

What kind of activities can I host at a Schools Plus venue?

You can host a variety of activities, including sports events, meetings, conferences, theatrical performances, workshops, and general community events.

How do schools benefit financially from Schools Plus?

Schools benefit financially by generating valuable income from their underutilized facilities, which can be reinvested into school resources or programs. Holycherrys.com Reviews

Are there job opportunities at Schools Plus?

Yes, Schools Plus regularly advertises recruitment opportunities for various roles, including part-time Venue Staff and full-time Venue Managers.

How can I contact Schools Plus?

You can contact Schools Plus via phone at 0345 222 2323 or email at [email protected], as listed on their website.

Does Schools Plus offer consultancy services?

Yes, the website indicates that Schools Plus offers consultancy services, likely related to optimizing school facility use and income generation.

What are Schools Plus’s core values?

While not explicitly stated as “values,” their service focus on unlocking potential, generating income, and transforming community use implies a commitment to efficiency, community benefit, and school support.

Is Schoolsplus.co.uk suitable for large events?

Many of the listed venues, particularly those with theatre and arts facilities or large sports halls, are suitable for large events, conferences, and performances.

How does Schools Plus ensure venue safety?

Schools Plus staff are on-site during lettings, and they implement procedures to ensure the safety and security of the school premises during community use.

Do I need to be a school to use Schoolsplus.co.uk?

No, Schoolsplus.co.uk serves both schools as clients offering facilities and community members as hirers looking for venues.

What if I need to cancel a booking made through Schools Plus?

The cancellation policy would typically be outlined in the booking agreement provided by Schools Plus when you confirm your venue hire.

It’s best to check those specific terms or contact them directly.

How does Schools Plus market school facilities?

Schools Plus markets school facilities through their website, by building relationships with local community groups, and potentially through social media, showcasing the benefits and availability of each venue. Borngifted.co.uk Reviews