One online payroll and pension solution for fifteen academies
The Background
In September 2014 we investigated options for three academies in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), who were due to join us later that year. After considering the service, experience and value for money offered, we decided to switch to Strictly Education and the new payroll and pension provision moved seamlessly when the academies joined the Trust.
In Summer 2015, external changes meant that we needed to find an alternative payroll and pensions provider for our 10 academies in Oxfordshire. Our experience of working with Strictly Education, and in particular, the positive feedback provided by our schools in RBVM, meant that we had no hesitation in moving the payroll and pension provision for all our schools to Strictly Education as of July 2015.
Why Strictly Education?
We initially chose Strictly Education for three reasons: (1) Their specialist knowledge of the education sector, multi-academy trusts and familiarity with the frequent changes to pension and payroll administration (2) The opportunity for a reduction in inaccuracies through data entry and reporting via their online payroll portal and (3) The promise of a dedicated payroll and pensions officer and account management team.
Whilst these three elements have all been delivered, we have also been impressed by their excellent customer service, rapid response and can-do attitude to resolving issues.
The Result
Strictly Education now manage all fifteen of the ODST academies providing the trust with a single lens through which to manage and analyse the total cost of its payroll and pension provision. With over 500 post-holders paid on a monthly basis Strictly Education communicates with all of our academies directly and we have great confidence in both the team and service that they provide.
