Managing a school’s utilities can be complex, especially for a campus like Sibford School, an independent boarding school set on 55 acres in North Oxfordshire near Banbury. With 22 buildings—mostly classrooms and school facilities—the school’s water usage is significant, and keeping costs under control is a constant challenge.
Holly, the school’s Estate Manager, oversees all facilities management, health and safety, and the operation of the buildings. She explains that before working with Wodr, one of the biggest issues was simply getting in touch with their water supplier.
“It was very difficult to get hold of anybody when we had a query or issue”
On top of that, the school wasn’t fully confident that they were on the most cost-effective tariff, and there were some concerns around potential water leakages.
Why Did Sibford School Switch to a New Supplier?
The decision to explore a new water supplier came after the school’s experience with a previous utility broker left them feeling that the level of support and service was lacking. What stood out with Wodr was clear communication, responsiveness, and a genuine willingness to solve problems.
A Smooth Switching Process
Switching suppliers can be stressful, but for Sibford School, the process was remarkably smooth. Holly highlights that all pricing, contract details, and potential savings were communicated transparently, which took the guesswork out of the process.
Significant Cost Savings
Since switching, Sibford School has saved an estimated 35% on water costs. Billing has also improved: the Accounts Team now finds it much easier to query invoices and track usage. Better visibility has allowed the school to forecast water expenditure more accurately, helping with budget planning and day-to-day management.
Confidence in Compliance
While the school hasn’t used all the sustainability and monitoring services offered, Holly is finally confident that the water supply and billing are fully compliant with regulations—a key concern for any educational institution.
What Was The Impact Of Working With Wodr?
For day-to-day operations, the biggest benefit has been peace of mind. Holly shares that she would highly recommend Wodr to other businesses:
“You feel you are in safe hands, and they work to find the best deal for you and your business”.
Wodr takes away the stress of navigating your way through the complex world of utilities. So if you are in need of a new water strategy, get in touch with our experts today for free, no-obligation advice.