1. www.schoolsbuyingclub.com BUYER’S GUIDE
SPOTLIGHT ON
ENERGY
Use less, pay less, save Real world savings
Energy forms a major portion of non-staff costs in schools and a big part of schools’ impact When our category expert was contacted
on the environment. Recent volatile market conditions have meant winners and losers, by the head teacher of one school, we
depending on contract type. Detailed consideration of alternatives, using specially developed instantly recognised that the energy bills
software together with skilled negotiation, enables the Schools’ Buying Club to advise on the they had been receiving were incredibly
right choice of supplier, contract, and risk assessment. We are also here for ongoing advice high and so we initiated our Cost
Recovery Service.
to keep you ahead of future changes in the market.
We requested the school’s energy bills
There are now a number of competing gas suppliers and an ever changing, dynamic market.
from the last three years and identified
Suppliers attempt to gain competitive advantage by introducing new and amended £38,000 of unnecessary payments,
contractual arrangements, terms and tariffs, which need careful comparison to ensure you which we were able to recover within two
make the best choice to get the best deal. months of us initiating the process. The
saving was before we made
recommendations to reduce usage or
The benefits of Schools’ Buying Club looked to renegotiate their energy prices.
The Schools’ Buying Club can deliver significant savings on your existing spend. You can then
put those savings to work to enhance teaching and learning across your school.
Whether you are an individual school, in a cluster or federation of schools, being a member of
the Schools’ Buying Club will maximise your buying power and let your pupils reap the benefits.
Contact us
Schools’ Buying Club
Lower Ground Floor, Eastgate,
3 Castle Street, Manchester M3 4LZ
Telephone: 0845 257 7050
Powered by Email: contact@schoolsbuyingclub.com

2. www.schoolsbuyingclub.com BUYER’S GUIDE
FAQs
What options are there for buying energy?
There are two ways to buy electricity and gas
How will I know if a new supplier will be able
to reduce my energy costs?
Get in contact
for your school, either on a ‘fixed’ or ‘flexible’ Any new supplier or broker will be able to
basis. The best analogy would be a mortgage. review the current costs of energy at your
You can either commit to an agreed fixed term school based upon your actual usage and
We’ve been there and done it, a lot!
interest rate or float with the markets and go should be able to provide you with a
You don’t need to have your valuable
the variable route. comparison of costs on what you have been
resources tied up managing technical
paying versus new charges from the same or a
How does a supplier monitor my usage? contract negotiations, finding the best
new supplier.
In order to better manage your building’s price or defining service level agreements.
energy costs, it helps to understand how you are What is a FPA?
Let our procurement experts do it for you
charged for those costs. Most utilities charge Many Local Authorities promote flexible
and leave you to work out how to spend
commercial buildings for their natural gas or purchasing agreements (FPAs) in order to
the savings! We are ready and waiting to
electricity based on the amount of energy comply with European purchasing guidelines.
hear from you.
delivered through meters installed in the school, Although certain Government bodies promote
which are identified by specific numbers. this flexible approach as the best way forward,
flex deals do not always represent best value.
What does MPRN and MPAN mean?
This is because they do not provide choice,
Your MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) is
security of price or security of budgeting.
the unique identifying number of the gas meter
at your property. It is a 10 digit number, How long should I commit for?
sometimes referred to as an “M” number, and Some Local Authorities ask schools to pledge to
can be found on your gas bill (generally on the four year flex agreements without any
back of the bill). If you can’t locate your MPRN knowledge of the price. We would advise that
on the back of your gas bill or on your meter, being locked to one supplier for four years is
you can call the Meter Number Helpline on not best practice. Often, energy providers give
0870 608 1524. MPAN is the electricity indicative prices only, as the energy may not
equivalent.
have been purchased. This makes it difficult to
How much can the Schools’ Buying Club budget as the markets can go up as well as
save my school? down. Longer fixed term contracts, which can
Some schools will have greater scope for be set for up to three years, consistently
savings than others, but, on average, more outperform flex contracts.
than 20% of energy is wasted, and a simple
good housekeeping and a review of provision If I try to change supplier, will there be any
can reduce fuel bills by 10%. interruption to my supply?
No, there will be no interruption whatsoever.
How do I know how our spend compares to There is no need to change any meters, wires
other schools? or pipes, your new supplier will use the same
For indicative purposes, our research suggests ones as your old supplier.
the following average energy spend per pupil:
Do I need to contact my old provider to
Primary Secondary switch to a new supplier?
Highest 10% £116 £136 No, your new supplier will organise the entire
Highest 25% £102 £119 switching process. You should, however,
Average £79 £91 ensure you provide your new supplier with a
Lowest 25% £62 £68 final meter reading, so they can close your
Lowest 10% £57 £59 existing account and organise a closing bill
2010/11 CFR data by Local Authority from your previous supplier.
Contact us
Schools’ Buying Club
Lower Ground Floor, Eastgate,
3 Castle Street, Manchester M3 4LZ
Telephone: 0845 257 7050
Powered by Email: contact@schoolsbuyingclub.com