What can a school finance this year?

Grace Mattey — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:28:05 +0000

Every school has a purchase list. Laptops past their best, a hall that needs new lighting, a kitchen oven on its last legs, classrooms that overheat from May onwards. Most of it waits for the next budget, and then the one after, because the full price is too much to commit to in one go.

Spread over five years, the picture changes. The cost is divided into predictable payments, and the equipment is in use from day one.

What the figures look like

Five years is the term most schools choose, and the costs scale predictably. At current rates:

£5,000 over five years works out at £101.04 a month*
£30,000 over five years works out at £597.59 a month*

These are monthly equivalents. Rentals are normally paid annually in advance, so the practical question for a business manager is whether the annual figure fits the budget. For many projects, it does.

It isn't only ICT

Schools often think of leasing to get laptops and Chromebooks, and it works very well for that. But the same approach covers interactive screens, LED lighting, furniture, ovens and catering equipment, security systems, air conditioning, SEND equipment, sports equipment, and solar and green technology.

That matters because most school projects span more than one category. A refurbishment might include new lighting, a catering upgrade and a set of screens. Financing them together, rather than finding a separate budget for each, is simpler and gives you one predictable payment.

You choose the supplier

Axis is an independent specialist broker. We don’t sell equipment, so the supplier you’ve already chosen is the supplier we work with. Whether your quote is from a trusted local firm or an existing framework supplier, we finance that quote. There’s no need to switch suppliers or reopen a procurement decision.

Axis was founded by a former teacher and has been arranging equipment finance for more than 30 years. Schools, academy trusts and local authorities make up a large part of our work, so we understand how school budgets run through the year.

Payments that follow the school year

School income doesn’t arrive evenly, and your payments shouldn’t have to either. As well as annual payments, quarterly options are available. Deferrals can be arranged where a project starts before the budget it will be paid from, and larger projects can be phased, with payments starting as each stage is delivered.

Common questions

How much can a school finance?

As a guide, £5,000 over five years works out at £101.04 a month, and £30,000 at £597.59 a month. The exact figure depends on the equipment, the term and credit approval.

Can we use our own chosen supplier?

Yes. We finance the quote from the supplier your school has selected.

Is leasing only for IT equipment?

No. As well as ICT, it covers catering, lighting, furniture, security, air conditioning, SEND, sports equipment and solar technology.

Can we pay quarterly?

Yes. Quarterly payments and payment deferrals can both be arranged.

Get your figures

If something is planned for this year, tell us what you need and roughly what it costs. That’s all we need to come back with initial figures.

*Rentals shown as a monthly equivalent and normally paid annually in advance. Examples are illustrative and subject to credit approval and terms.

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