09 August 2013: The financial status of the education sector continues to be increasingly positive year on year, a recent survey has revealed.

The findings come from the sector’s trade association, the British Educational Suppliers Association’s (BESA) quarterly ‘Education Market Performance Outlook’ survey of 137 primary, 91 secondary schools and 66 sector suppliers. Each quarter the survey explores changes in the spending plans of schools and the sales being experienced by suppliers.

Schools indicated a rise in expenditure in all the areas categorised; ICT, non ICT and furniture/storage equipment. Spending in 2013/14 was projected by schools to increase by 2.7 per cent, after reported growth of 2.3 per cent in 2012/13.

Of the 137 primary schools surveyed, the outlook for 2013/14 spending was expected to increase by 3.6 per cent, while secondary schools indicated an overall positive growth of 2 per cent.

The research carried out in conjunction with the National Education Research Panel (NERP), highlighted a shift in investment in technology in particular. In 2011/12, spending on ICT products was forecast to decline by 5.4 per cent. However spending in 2012/13 has been estimated to have increased by 2.1 per cent and is projected to increase by 2.9 per cent in 2013/14.

Caroline Wright, director at BESA comments, “The research comes at a time of significant change within the education sector. The introduction of the new primary curriculum in September 2013 is driving demand in schools for aligned resources, schemes of work and teacher’s material. It is heartening for the economy that the findings of our quarterly survey show a positive and optimistic outlook by both schools and suppliers.”

About BESA

BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association representing over 300 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital-content related services to the education market.

With 78 years of experience, BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education supplies industry.  BESA is focused on promoting and providing support and advice to their members, the industry and to schools.

BESA has a Code of Practice to which all members must adhere, along with a stringent membership process, both of which assure buyers of a high standard of quality in both product and customer service.

For more information, please visit www.besa.org.uk.

For further press information contact:

Sue Murray
Mango Marketing
T: 01932 829 077
E: sue.murray@mangomarketing.com

For information from BESA contact:

Caroline Wright
BESA

T: 020 7537 4997
E: caroline@besa.org.uk