When cash-strapped schools and space-hungry communities needed a win, two 17-year-olds came up with an idea that’s now transforming the UK education landscape. School Space, dubbed the “Airbnb for schools”, is opening doors (literally) and putting much-needed cash back into classrooms.
Why are schools suddenly in the business of renting out space?
Because they have to.
Since 2010, 70% of UK schools have seen real-terms budget cuts. One in seven are now running a deficit. Meanwhile, 75% of council-run leisure centres are at risk of shutting down, and schools, which own 71% of the country’s sports facilities, are often locked up after hours.
“Schools in the UK sit on fantastic facilities that remain unused outside of school hours,” explains School Space Co-founder Jemma Phibbs. “They are also often under budget pressures, and value any additional revenue they can generate.”
School Space saw the opportunity early: unlock these underused buildings, and solve two problems at once — giving local communities the space they need and giving schools a desperately needed revenue stream. So far, they’ve helped schools generate over £8M.
How does School Space actually work?
It’s a full-service platform that schools sign up to exclusively for three years. Local businesses and community groups hop online, browse facilities, book spaces, and manage everything from payments to compliance paperwork through a slick, school-specific portal.
“This streamlined process is win-win,” says Phibbs. “It provides schools with funds to reinvest in education and makes it easy to find the perfect space for various events and activities.”
Behind the scenes, School Space handles the heavy lifting: marketing, customer service, security, and operations. Today, more than 1000 groups have secured over 53,000 bookings through the platform, and each partner school makes over £100,000 a year on average.
Why does School Space matter?
Because it’s more than just an innovative business model — it’s a social movement.
“Through our platform, community groups also gain access to affordable spaces, fostering stronger community connections and promoting social cohesion,” Phibbs says.
School Space is helping cash-strapped schools find financial breathing room. It's empowering communities to find accessible venues. And it’s unlocking the potential sitting dormant in towns and cities across the country.
As Phibbs puts it: “We allow communities to prosper, while giving schools a real, tangible boost when they need it most.”
What’s next for School Space?
The business is growing fast, and thinking even bigger.
School Space has kicked off a strategic review, exploring options from a major investment to a full sale. Conversations are already underway with both UK and international players.
“School Space's ongoing mission is to expand its reach, partnering with more schools and communities to maximise the use of educational facilities,” says Phibbs.
“We’re growing fast — over 40% revenue growth year-on-year — and we want to continue to develop and grow, both here in the UK and internationally.”
On the tech front, the team is rolling out new features like a self-service model and a freemium marketplace that could dramatically widen their reach across the UK’s £6.1 billion venue market.
Turns out, the future of education might just be after-hours.
