Q&A: YPO The right product, at the right price
As YPO celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, Education Today speaks with ANDREA SMITH, Procurement Director at YPO, to find out more about how the buying organisation has been helping schools to buy the right product, at the right price, for half a century
Since then, the education sector has seen a significant change, but its heart and soul remain the same. In reference to one of our early marketing leaflets, the ethos has stood the test of time: “Buying the right product, at the right price”. This premise rings true today and it remains a key part of what we do.
In recent times there have been new considerations for educators. A key area of growth that has emerged in the education sector is digital transformation, requiring schools to begin integrating technology into their classrooms, as well as training teachers and staff to utilise these tools effectively to enrich learning opportunities for their students.
Edtech software platforms such as YPO’s Learning Box provide schools with access to the latest programmes to support education.
1. Who are YPO?
Established in 1974 to help local authorities get the right products at the right price, today YPO is one of the largest and most influential public sector buying organisations in the UK. Fully owned by its 13 local government member authorities, YPO also works closely with a further 71 organisations across local government and the wider public sector, including schools, known as associate member authorities. With an annual turnover of more than £1.1 billion, YPO offers a range of about 30,000 products and 100 public sector framework contracts.
During 50 years of collaborating with education establishments, YPO has developed a wide range of over 50 frameworks that are used by more than 5,000 schools across the UK. These support services are fully customisable, giving customers the option to make their contracts fully bespoke, as well as being fully DfE approved. YPO has a strong rapport with its customers, offering full access to free support and guidance.
2. Can you tell us more about the services YPO offers the education sector specifically?
YPO has been offering a variety of services and products to schools for five decades and currently supports more than 5,000 schools. These services include an expansive
product offering from art supplies to curriculum products and EdTech assets. There is also a range of branded products, including YPO’s partnership with Pritt, who we work with to deliver a series of competitions for schools – like the ‘Craftathon’.
YPO also offers an array of frameworks, including fitted furniture for a variety of spaces, including food technology rooms, science labs or IT suites, as well as assisting with the supply of self-assembly library shelfing. Outside of the classroom, there is a framework available for YPO to support school office furniture solutions, as well as building and construction, covering everything from the supply of insulation to painting and decorating supplies. There are numerous other areas which are covered by YPO frameworks, such as the recruitment of temporary, fixed-term teachers and non-teaching staff, offering schools a range of reliable candidates. Other frameworks include food and catering, utilities, transport and facilities management.
3. It’s been 50 years since YPO was established in 1974. How much has changed across the education sector between then and now?
YPO was formed in 1974 - the same year that its key member authorities were formed by the Local Government Act 1972.
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Similar to a streaming platform, Learning Box gives schools access to a wide range of technology through a single log-in. Schools can customise programmes and bundles to ensure that only what is used is paid for, while teachers are able to access live analysis progress, highlighting individual strengths of pupils and areas which may require extra support.
The public sector is also facing significant changes to the way it procures its goods and services. Procurement reform through the Procurement Act – now delayed until February 2025 – will bring significant challenges, but also opportunities to the education sector. The aim of the legislation is to create more effective and simple procurement, while increasing transparency and social value.
In the short term, we believe this will present some difficulties as customers get to grips with the new policy, which is why YPO has been proactive in engaging with the public sector to offer support in navigating the changes. This includes advice clinics, webinars and direct engagement.
4. What are the main challenges schools are currently facing?
Earlier in the year we partnered with Education Insight to conduct research uncovering some of the major challenges educators are facing, many of which are amplified by on-going financial strain. The
December 2024
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