Education

Our Experience

Across the Globe, education plays an important role in supporting economic prosperity for individuals, companies and countries.

In the UK it is estimated that the higher education sector contributes over £60bn to the economy and is vital to the economic success of the communities it serves. At school level, the Coalition Government is focusing its attention on an ambitious programme of reform to transform the school system, recognising the importance of local accountability, parental choice and market forces.

In further education, collaborative working and competition are relatively well-established, while the blurring of public and private sector constitutes ongoing challenges and opportunities for this part of the education system. New models of delivery, new technology solutions offering access to learning, are changing the way government, business and individuals engage. Private sector investment right across the system in the UK and overseas is growing.

Why Deloitte

Our strategic and operational expertise has been employed across the education system on projects ranging from policy development and strategy support to improving organisational performance and reducing costs in universities. We support the strategic and operational needs of a variety of public and private sector clients.

We provide services to both providers and government departments including the Department for Education and the Department for Education and Learning Northern Ireland. We also work with arms length organisations such as the Learning and Skills Improvement Service and strategic bodies such as Student Loans Company, Universities UK and the UK Commission for Employment and Services.

The previous experience of many of our team as teachers or lecturers helps to explain our deep rooted understanding of the education sector, with a wealth of knowledge in Further Education Colleges, Universities, Schools and Central Government. We continue to support Ingeus, the UK’s largest Welfare to Work provider, on a range of strategic and operational issues. Our extensive skill set and networks means we can support the most challenging education and skills related projects.

As part of our agenda of Corporate Social Responsibility, we contribute our resources to support Teach First, the Deloitte Employability, Deloitte 21 and our relationship with the Education Employers Taskforce.

Our Solutions 

• Sustainable operational and financial improvement
• Data management and data analytics
• School Improvement and Project management for Free schools, UTCs and Academies
• Due Diligence and merger and acquisition support
• Estates strategy and planning
• Education VAT expertise
• Internal and External Audit

Sustainable operational and financial improvement 
Reducing costs and maximising income within a changing policy landscape and complex regulatory framework requires innovative thinking. We are working with our clients to understand the cost base, build new operating models and put in place structures, processes and governance that will ensure long term sustainability and improve outcomes.

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Data management and data analytics 
Several inputs may affect school performance, including per pupil spending, the socio-economic status of pupils and class size. Deloitte Analytics provides support to better understand the determinants of student sentiment, retention and progression. This will facilitate more informed decisions regarding the targeting of investment, services and marketing.

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School Improvement and Project management for Free schools, UTCs and Academies 
The DfE has appointed Deloitte to provide project management support to free schools, University Technology Colleges and academies.. We have developed a tailored School in a Box approach to help parent groups, head teachers, local authorities and academy trusts improve education standards. Our extensive experience in business and education has been applied to the creation of a leadership development programme to support head teachers towards becoming more effective leaders.

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Due Diligence and merger and acquisition support 
We can help clients to:

• develop a robust financial plan to address market issues
• develop merger and acquisition opportunities by identifying suitable assets
• undertake a range of due diligence and strategic planning activities, gain relevant approvals and manage stakeholders.

Deloitte can also enhance your commercial opportunities by exploring growth strategies, joint venture opportunities and assisting in commercial negotiations, raising finance and financial modelling.

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Estates strategy and planning 
Drivers Jonas Deloitte (DJD) is distinctive in providing a full range of professional property advice to all parts of the education sector. We have developed an estates master planning and accommodation strategy which incorporates advice on:

• space utilisation
• functional suitability
• option appraisals
• feasibility studies
• environmental sustainability
• carbon emission reduction
• capital funding

Following the Browne review, DJD is working with clients to be cost efficient, particularly with regards to operational and energy costs. DJD has also focused on developing strategies for better space efficiency and to provide support to core and emerging academic activities.

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Education VAT expertise 
Our National Education Tax team is at the forefront of providing effective financial advice to the education sector.  It provides practical strategic advice on:

• maximising tax reliefs and savings
• minimising the tax implications of new initiatives (including greater integration of public sector bodies)
• implementing sustainable efficiencies (for instance, the proposed VAT cost-sharing exemption).

The team advises schools, FE colleges, and over 40 per cent of UK higher education institutions on the tax consequences of issues such as:

• estates planning
• international expansion
• corporate tax advice
• how to structure commercial ventures
• recommendations for executive reward packages

We have developed a market leading VAT Cost Savings Review specifically for the education sector. This can be employed to generate sustainable savings and contribute to the financing of future projects.

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Internal and External Audit 
Our extensive capabilities provide national coverage in both internal and external audit. We have in depth experience in the application of IFRS within both the private and public sector. We also enjoy a close working relationship with British University Finance Directors Group (BUFDG) and have experience in the reporting of student information to HEFCE. This knowledge makes us ideally suited to provide the support you require to enable an effective transition.

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Research and insights

	Making the grade A study of the top 10 issues facing higher education institutions.
	Protecting Government: Due diligence services for free schools and academies Deloitte has worked with the DfE to design the free schools due diligence progress and build in house capability.
	The role of local authorities in education Local authorities can play an important role in supporting the free schools and academies programme.

Key contacts

	Julie Mercer Partner, Head of education and Consulting Lead
	Richard Turnbull Partner, Tax Lead
	Heather Bygrave Partner, Audit Lead
	Maxine Saunders Partner, Corporate Finance Lead
	Neil Cole Director Drivers Jonas Deloitte Education Lead

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