Evo Blog – How Schools Can Generate Revenue and Strengthen Community Connections by Renting Out Their Spaces
Schools and Academies around the UK are enhancing their facility offerings and income levels
As someone with over a decade of experience in managing community centres and schools, I believe that schools in the UK possess a wealth of excellent facilities that often remain untapped. By renting out these spaces during evenings, weekends, and holidays, schools can generate additional revenue while fostering stronger connections with the local community. In this blog post, I’ll share my thoughts on the benefits of school facility hire and how schools can minimise risks and challenges associated with it.
The Benefits of School Facility Hire
Additional Revenue
Hiring out school facilities can generate a significant income stream, which can be used to fund improvements, enhance educational activities, or invest in other areas that directly benefit students and staff.
Strengthening Community Connections.
By providing a space for community groups, sports clubs, and other organisations (be it local or on a large scale), schools can demonstrate their commitment to being valuable community assets and foster good will among local residents.
Utilising Unused Spaces.
Renting out school facilities allows schools to make the most of spaces that would otherwise be empty and unused during non-school hours, promoting efficient and environmentally friendly space management.
Managing Risks and Challenges
While renting out school facilities offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to address potential challenges, such as the risk of property damage or concerns about opening up cherished spaces to the public. Here are some tips for schools to consider:
Create bespoke terms and conditions
Draft clear and specific terms and conditions for facility rentals, outlining expectations, responsibilities, and consequences. This will protect the school’s interests and minimize potential risks.
Implement proper management strategies
Designate a team or individual responsible for overseeing the entire facility hire process. This will ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently, addressing any concerns or issues promptly.
Ensure a thorough vetting process
Verify the credibility of potential renters and their intended use of the facility. This helps protect the school’s reputation and ensure that the space is used responsibly and respectfully. This would include ensuring that relevant parties were insured, have been fully DBS checked and any electrical equipment brought to site has been fully PAT tested.
Prepare!
Regular maintenance and inspections of the rented spaces can help identify and address any wear and tear, preventing significant damage or costly repairs. Room usage needs to be monitored and checked before and after use to improve the hirers experience and protect the venue.
Final thoughts
Hiring out school facilities can be a positive and profitable experience for schools if managed correctly. By addressing potential challenges and following best practices, schools can embrace the benefits of facility hire, generate additional revenue, and strengthen their connection to the local community. With careful planning and expert guidance, schools can successfully utilise their spaces, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community.
If you operate a school/community facility and would like some free advice on making the most out of your building space get in touch with me and to chat through options or drop a message to info@evolutionmanagement.co.uk.
