A former staff member, who did not want to be named, said \u201ceyebrows were raised by headteachers about central team staff arriving in the cars and whether it was appropriate with so many conversations about money and budgets\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite being commonplace in the private sector, company cars are rare among schools who are \u201caware of the negative public perception and keen to avoid that\u201d, Sharon O\u2019Ryan, boss of benefits adviser firm Pay in Education, said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teslas \u2018raised eyebrows\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A freedom of information request showed Aspirations, which runs schools across the south of England, spent \u00a387,000 on company cars between 2021 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, the trust used a total of 12 vehicles. But six of them \u2013 four Teslas and two Volkswagen Golfs \u2013 appear to have been replaced by Tesla Model 3 saloons, with 2022 registrations. New prices for the car range between \u00a339,990 and \u00a349,990.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They have a top speed of 145mph and come equipped with lane departure warning systems, heated seats and ambient interior lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aspirations\u2019 company car policy states that Teslas are supplied to staff who drive more than 20,000 miles for work, or \u201cemployees at specified status levels\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A trust spokesperson refused to say which staff get Teslas but added that they complete more than 25,000 business miles per annum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision was \u201cbased around the significant financial saving versus mileage claims from those employees\u201d, they added. The MAT did not provide the savings figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Google search suggested few trusts have such policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust provides cars to three staff members. Eligibility includes those travelling more than 8,000 miles per year for work, where a car is an \u201cindispensable part of their jobs\u201d or as a \u201cbenefit\u201d to the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trust refused to say which cars are used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trusts wary of \u2018reputational risk\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The policy was introduced after a review \u201cconcluded leased cars would be better value than using hire cars for any member of staff expected to claim significant \u2026 business mileage\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel between the trust\u2019s schools \u2013 covering Plymouth, Portsmouth, Medway and Essex \u2013 was \u201cessential\u201d for some senior staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just one of the 10 largest MATs told Schools Week<\/em> they offered company cars. However, Ormiston Academies Trust said it was a \u201clegacy\u201d policy and the few staff with them will not have their leases renewed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, which operates 47 academies across the North-East, plans to approach Nissan about potential sponsorship options for company cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But CEO Nick Hurn said he would \u201chave to be convinced\u201d it was \u201cbetter for the public purse\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His 20 central team members claim up to 40,000 miles a year in travel costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rob Tarn, who heads up Northern Education Trust, said using company cars \u201ccomes up about once a year\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are obvious advantages\u2026 it can save on milage claims. But there\u2019s a reputational risk associated with taxpayers\u2019 money being used to fund brand-new vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Delta Academies Trust has a Fiat 500, called \u201cBob\u201d, which staff at one its schools use to go out knocking on doors to boost attendance. It is also one of many trusts signed up to salary sacrifice schemes that allow staff to lease cars, with the costs deducted from their pre-tax wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ormiston now uses this scheme too. Kemnal Academies Trust said it \u201chas not ever had the demand nor felt the need for them\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n School finance expert Micon Metcalfe believes many leaders will have, in part, decided against company cars due to worries over how they could be viewed by the Education Skills and Funding Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Academy rules show that novel and contentious transactions \u2013 those that \u201cmight cause criticism of the trust by Parliament, the public or the media\u201d \u2013 need ESFA approval. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Metcalfe said that, while providing cars \u201ccould be seen as something that\u2019s quite ambitious and attract people into your trust \u2013 you have to balance it against the \u2018Daily Mail test\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nTrusts in hot water before<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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