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Across England, schools are grappling with an escalating financial crisis. From rising energy bills to unfunded staff pay rises, the pressure on school budgets has reached critical levels. Alarmingly, 15.3% of local authority-maintained schools reported a deficit in 2023–24, the highest proportion in nearly a decade. The figures are even more stark in nursery schools, where one in three are now in deficit.
But amidst these challenges, there is a practical and proven way to ease financial pressures: membership in the CSC Buying Group.
đź“Š A Crisis in Numbers
Recent statistics paint a worrying picture:
49% of primary schools and 48% of special schools reported or expected in-year deficits.
Rising costs—including inflation, energy, and staff wages—are eroding budgets.
Cuts to provision are already being felt: 68% of school leaders have increased class sizes, with 74% anticipating further cuts.
And looking ahead? The situation worsens. It’s projected that by next year, 76% of primary schools and 94% of secondary schools may not be able to meet their costs, even with the most recent budget increases.
🤝 The CSC Buying Group: A Lifeline for Schools
This is where the CSC Buying Group steps in.
CSCBG is a not-for-profit organisation that helps schools, churches, charities and other organisations cut costs through collective purchasing power. By pooling the needs of hundreds of organisations, CSCBG negotiates exclusive discounts and preferred rates from trusted suppliers—meaning schools spend less on the essentials they already use.
“Our goal is straightforward,” says Maria Booker, CSCBG Member Engagement Manager. “We support schools in directing more of their budget toward education by cutting costs on everything else.”
đź“š Real Savings for Real Schools
Church of England schools are already seeing the benefits. From IT and telecoms to cleaning services and stationery, CSCBG members report substantial savings across multiple categories.
For example:
A primary school saved over ÂŁ3,000 per year by switching to CSCBG's energy partner.
Another school reduced printing costs by nearly 40%, simply by accessing preferred supplier rates.
🌍 Why This Matters Now
With regional disparities worsening (some South East local authorities report 25% of primary schools in deficit), the need for strategic cost management has never been more urgent.
Joining CSCBG gives schools access to:
Pre-vetted, quality-assured suppliers
Exclusive, competitive pricing
Free support from a dedicated member engagement team
Compliance with procurement regulations
Zero membership fees—joining is free
đź› A Simple Step Toward Financial Resilience
The outlook may be challenging, but schools don’t have to face it alone. CSC Buying Group provides a practical, immediate solution that puts more of your budget back into classrooms, teachers, and students.
Whether you're a school administrator, headteacher, or finance officer, it’s time to act. Don’t let rising costs dictate the quality of education you can offer.
🔗 Join CSCBG today and start making your budget work for you—not against you.
Together, we can strengthen schools by spending smarter.