NEWS
BESA urges schools to look beyond cost in supplier decisions following new research
Schools and colleges are continuing to prioritise reliability and proven effectiveness when selecting suppliers, according to new research from the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA). The findings, based on engagement with educators in 2025, suggest that decisions are often guided by what feels straightforward and dependable in practice.
Alongside this, the association points to ongoing pressures on time and budgets, which can make it more difficult for schools to fully assess all available options when procuring services.
However, BESA warns that prioritising upfront cost alone can lead to longer-term challenges, particularly where quality or reliability fall short. As part of a wider initiative this year, the association is encouraging schools to consider how suppliers operate, including their approach to areas such as transparency, data protection and consistency of service. One element of this work is a renewed focus on its membership standards and Code of Practice, with BESA positioning its logo and member directory as indicators that a supplier has committed to recognised industry expectations.
Caroline Wright, Director General at BESA, said schools are increasingly looking for “clear, reliable signals” when making procurement decisions. She stated: “Schools are making important decisions in increasingly time-pressured environments, often without the time to fully assess every option,” she said. “What we’re seeing is a growing need for clear, reliable signals that help educators feel confident in those choices. “When suppliers are backed by BESA, schools can trust that they are committed to working to recognised standards – from transparency and safeguarding through to quality and accountability – so they can make decisions with greater confidence.”
Examples from schools suggest that decisions about suppliers are often shaped by specific local needs. At St Peter’s Church of England Aided School in Devon, which has one of the highest proportions of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the county, staff
sought additional support to help meet increasing demand. The school introduced a language system developed by Widgit, a BESA member, after noting that a growing number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) recommended the use of visual supports. Staff say the platform has since become part of their approach to supporting communication and comprehension in the classroom. Rhiannon Alcock, Deputy SENDCo, said the introduction of the tool had coincided with increased pupil engagement and motivation, as well as supporting continuity for pupils moving between settings. BESA points to similar examples beyond the classroom, including the use of data tools such as those developed by member organisation Deesha. ai, which are designed to help schools interpret information related to attendance, behaviour and safeguarding.
The association argues that such approaches reflect a broader shift towards suppliers that offer ongoing support as well as individual products or services.
Founded in 1933, BESA represents educational suppliers in the UK and sets standards around areas including quality, transparency and safeguarding. Its latest work highlights the growing importance of trust and accountability in school procurement, particularly as financial and operational pressures continue.
apetito launches new guide on delivering cost- effective school meals
Amid intense financial pressure facing school caterers – with labour costs in school kitchens having surged by 28% in recent years, and combined food and labour costs rising by over 50% – school meals provider apetito has launched a free guide containing useful information and guidance for schools on how to effectively manage and reduce the rising cost of school catering in midst of labour shortages, tightening budgets and rising food prices. apetito’s guide, ‘Helping Schools Save: A Guide to Delivering Cost-Effective School Meals’, explores numerous aspects including strategies for reviewing catering costs, how to tackle rising staffing costs and reduce meal costs. The guide also examines how schools can reduce food waste and increasing student engagement can have a real impact on the cost of catering and gives practical and actional steps that schools can take in this area.
Rupert Weber, General Manager for Education at apetito, said: “Anyone working in a school knows that kitchens are facing unprecedented challenges, and the last few years have been some of the most turbulent in recent memory. Rising food prices, increasing staffing costs, and additional financial pressures have meant that many catering teams are being asked to do more with less, all while maintaining the high standards that pupils deserve.
“Good nutrition is fundamental to a child’s ability to focus, learn and thrive in the classroom, so compromising on quality simply isn’t an option. That’s why we felt it was essential to create this new guide, which aims to give schools clear, practical and genuinely actionable steps they can take to
6
www.education-today.co.uk
control costs without reducing the standard of meals they serve. Whether it’s reassessing staffing structures, reducing food waste, streamlining menus or improving operational efficiency, there are real opportunities for schools to protect both quality and budgets.
“Our aim is to empower school leaders and catering teams with the tools, insight and confidence they need to deliver a high-quality, cost-effective meal service that makes a meaningful difference to pupils every single day.”
April 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
