Better buying
Over the past 18 months, we have launched initiatives that can help schools save time and money on both daily running costs and larger scale purchases, including savings on a wide range of common school costs, including: n School utility bills n Photocopiers and printers n Interest-free loans to help schools be more energy efficient n ICT Products and services n Agency fees for supply teachers. The savings available through
switching to better deals really do add up. We believe if a school were to use the DfE’s recommended ‘Deals for Schools’, the average secondary school would have saved £24,000 in 2017/18. We are also making it easier for schools to take advantage of these potential savings. Having assessed each one, we’re now pulling them together on our website, regularly updating this to keep it up to date with the latest and best deals available for schools. Visit
gov.uk and search ‘buying for schools’ to find guidance, templates and deals recommended by the DfE.
Safer procurement Understandably, schools and academies tend to use suppliers and services with whom they have long-standing relationships. However, we know that industry standards change, technology improves and incumbent suppliers aren’t always willing to pass this on to their customers. Schools can use the DfE services to benchmark their existing deals to test whether they are still good value. Where schools identify that switching supplier can save them money, we want to make that easier. My team is working directly with suppliers and public sector buying organisations (PSBOs) to make sure you have clear and transparent options to inform your buying choices and make that transition less daunting.
Schools’ Buying Hubs We also recognise that sometimes a bit of one-to-one support makes the difference. So in February this year
we launched a pilot initiative to test a new concept of Regional Schools’ Buying Hubs. The initial pilot is supporting schools in the North West and South West, with independent and objective procurement expertise and advice on more complex purchasing requirements. The two hubs provide direct access to procurement via a helpdesk, email and live chat. Schools can also request on-site support, and each hub has a field- based support team, who will attend local events and network meetings. The initial feedback on the
hubs has been great and we are developing plans to roll these hubs out nationally. The hubs are supporting schools with: n Expert advice and guidance on better buying, via the website, helpline or face-to-face n Template documentation n Help with complex contracts in areas such as catering, cleaning, premises and technology services n Local collaboration, where there is an opportunity to reduce costs on areas such as learning resources, ICT and administrative supplies n Contract management support. It’s not too late for you to get
involved in the pilot. This is a great opportunity for schools in the North West and South West and I would welcome your support to encourage your school to sign-up. You can register by visiting consult.
education.gov.uk/schools- commercial-team/927e1fd1.
Supply teachers One particular area where schools have told us they would like our help is with supply teacher agencies – particularly where there is little transparency of fees and costly temp-to-perm fees. We have been working with the Crown Commercial Service
Jenny Williams has been Acting Director of Commercial at the DfE since November 2017, providing commercial support to the central department and to schools across England. Jenny previously led the Schools Commercial and Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) teams delivering the Schools Buying Strategy. Before joining the DfE, Jenny was the Deputy Director of Commercial Assurance, Scrutiny and Due Diligence at the Ministry of Defence.
to develop a commercial framework for agency supply teachers, and this is now available at ccs-agreements.
cabinetoffice.gov.uk. This requires agencies to adhere to standard levels of practice, including on the use of temp-to-perm fees. As well as supply teachers, the framework also includes the provision of other agency workers such as teaching assistants and cover supervisors.
Looking ahead We’ve made a lot of progress over the past two years but we also feel that we’re just getting started and recognise there is a lot more we can do to support schools. Over the next year, we have an ambitious programme of activity including: n Widening the cover we offer alongside the highly rated risk protection arrangement (RPA) n Improving digital access to our help and support services and deals n Developing the schools buying hubs nationally pending a successful pilot scheme n Increasing our range of recommended deals that meet schools’ needs. Finally, we want to make sure
that our offer is meeting the needs of your school so we want to give you and your schools the opportunity to be actively involved and help us to shape
and deliver these improvements. If you would like further
information, have any questions, would like to know about the latest deals, or how you can get involved, please search ‘buying for schools’ on
gov.uk or contact us at schools.
commercial@education.gov.uk. n A longer version of this article appears on
funded.org.uk.
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