With the March year-end approaching, schools that delay thinking about funding, ICT and equipment planning risk limited availability and missed summer installation windows.
For many schools and Multi-Academy Trusts, ICT and equipment upgrades only become urgent once the summer term is in sight. By that stage, budgets may already be closing and installation slots increasingly limited. With the financial year-end approaching, the spring term is often the point at which schools should begin reviewing ICT, AV and wider equipment requirements, particularly where installations are planned for the summer holidays, when disruption to teaching can be kept to a minimum.
Why the spring term matters
The spring term is typically when schools take stock and plan ahead. This is when they review ageing laptops, desktops and classroom devices; assess interactive screens, projectors and AV equipment; consider infrastructure upgrades such as networking or servers; plan specialist equipment linked to SEND provision or curriculum changes; and begin conversations with suppliers about lead times and availability. Leaving these discussions too late can significantly reduce choice and place additional pressure on both budgets and delivery times.
And how are you going to pay for it?
Funding decisions are a critical part of equipment planning. Financing equipment through compliant school leasing arrangements is not simply about obtaining a rate against a stated capital cost. A structured approach considers the whole budget picture, taking into account competing capital demands, other planned equipment purchases and any existing lease commitments. Schools often cannot make informed decisions about what to procure until they understand how it will be funded. Addressing funding early in the procurement cycle allows Axis Leasing, as a specialist schools partner, to help identify the most appropriate and compliant solutions before timelines become constrained.
Thinking beyond ICT
While ICT refreshes are often the immediate priority, spring planning is also an opportunity to review wider equipment needs, including classroom and specialist teaching equipment, AV and hall installations, and energy-efficient or sustainability-driven upgrades. Taking a broader view helps schools prioritise spend and avoid reactive decisions later in the year.
A measured, compliant approach
Planning does not mean committing. It means understanding what equipment is needed, when it is required and how it can be funded in a sustainable and compliant way. Schools that plan early are typically better placed to make informed decisions, align with procurement and finance requirements and avoid last-minute pressure.
Take this one step further:
Early planning gives schools more control over outcomes and strengthens decision-making. The Greenwood Academy Trust programme is a good example, with centrally organised procurement and individual drawdowns across multiple schools, all delivered smoothly due to early planning. A full case study is available on our website.
