Schools Plus

Schools Plus: renting school facilities to fund local schools

Schools Plus is a UK social enterprise that opens school facilities to the wider community and channels the income back to the schools themselves. The organisation states that its entire purpose is to generate money for schools by sharing their facilities with local people and businesses. Since 2004 it reports having generated more than £40 million for UK schools, and it presents itself as having worked with schools across the country for over 22 years.

Spaces available to book

The platform lists several categories of school facilities that can be searched and reserved by location, date and activity:

• Football pitches, both 3G and grass, at schools near the user.
• Sports halls with indoor courts for basketball, badminton, fitness and similar activities.
• Drama studios and halls, presented as suitable for performances, parties and classes.
• Meeting rooms described as professional spaces for workshops and conferences.

The site also refers to halls for hire as a further option within its venue search.

How the booking process works

Booking is presented in three steps: searching for venues by location, date and activity; choosing a time slot and booking online; and turning up on the day, since the site states that everything is confirmed at the time of booking. The search tool is available directly from the homepage.

A team of nearly 500 people across the UK

Schools Plus describes itself as a team of nearly 500 people working across the UK. Most of them are supervisors and team leaders based in the schools served, supported by specialists and experts in various roles. The organisation publishes profiles of some of its staff, including its CEO, CFO, area managers, team leaders, venue supervisors and an accountant, and it maintains a vacancies section covering venue staff, area managers and head office positions.

For schools considering a partnership

The site addresses schools directly, arguing that the best UK schools choose Schools Plus to manage their lettings and highlighting 22 years of experience. It also states that schools are always paid on time, every month. A separate contact route is offered for schools interested in partnering.

Contact and support

The organisation can be reached by phone on 0345 222 2323, with weekday and weekend service hours, and by email at enquiries@schoolsplus.co.uk, with an aim to reply within one working day. The site also includes sections on safeguarding, a guest code and corporate bookings, as well as a blog titled After The Bell.