VIEWS


BRITISH EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION (BESA)


Enhancing school procurement with trust and quality


Comment by DAVE SMITH, Head of Partnerships and Events at BESA


BESA is the cornerstone of the UK’s educational supply sector. Representing over 350 suppliers, BESA includes manufacturers and distributors of a wide range of educational products – from equipment, materials, and books to ICT hardware and cutting-edge EdTech solutions. Covering around 80% of the market in terms of school expenditure, BESA is a vital resource for schools seeking high-quality products and services. How can you make informed purchasing decisions? To assist schools in making informed decisions, BESA encourages you to ask specific questions about products: • Quality: Is the product robust and suitable for institutional use? For some items, durability to withstand heavy use is crucial.


• Cost: Consider the whole lifecycle cost, not just the initial expenditure. After-sales service especially for UK-manufactured products can be more convenient and cost-effective.


• Compliance: Are the products compliant with BS/EN standards? Safety and fitness for purpose are paramount.


• Data Protection: How do products comply with GDPR? Data protection is critical in school environments.


• Sustainability: Are products made sustainably? For example, is furniture made from responsibly sourced wood, and are materials safe for children? It is also important to consider how the product fits with your existing systems/suppliers. Make sure there is no conflict before signing on the dotted line. And look at the small print – are you 100% sure you are confident that you are not being tied into something for longer than you want, or that you are not signing up to more than you want? Supporting School Business Managers


BESA aims to simplify the procurement process for School Business Managers. Here are some key tips: • Be clear on what you need from us • Produce a handy list for suppliers to include in requests such as payment schedules and PO number requirements


• Tell us if there is anything specific you need on a quote • Talk to us if the quote you receive does not fit with your requirements - our members are adept at providing bespoke services and can tailor their products to meet your needs. This saves time as we will be able to supply you with the correct information immediately


• Identify a direct point of contact to quickly resolve queries Making the most of product trials and offers


Product trials are invaluable for assessing new educational tools. To ensure successful trials, focus on: • Timing: Make sure the length of the trial does not run during school holidays. If necessary, request an extension.


• Preparation: Brief all relevant staff before the trial begins. BESA members can provide in-person or virtual briefings to maximise the trial’s effectiveness.


• Support: Ongoing support during the trial is crucial. BESA members are committed to providing this essential assistance. BESA’s LendED.org.uk initiative allows schools to search for EdTech products and request free trials, making the evaluation process even more accessible and informative.


Utilising Awards and Government-approved lists Awards can be a useful metric for evaluating products, but it’s important to consider the source. Industry-recognised awards, such as the BETT Awards, are judged by practitioners with extensive experience in education. These awards are a reliable indicator of a product’s effectiveness and suitability for schools. Conversely, government procurement lists often involve a rigorous inclusion process, which small companies may find challenging. However, these companies may still offer excellent products. Therefore, while awards and lists provide valuable guidance, it’s essential to conduct thorough evaluations to ensure the best fit for your school’s needs.


BESA’s dedication to quality, rigorous standards, and strong industry connections make it an indispensable partner for UK schools. By choosing BESA members through our dedicated Supplier Directory, schools can ensure they receive top-quality products and services that support educators and ensure educational success.


We are always keen to hear feedback from school and MAT staff as to how we can assist with guidance notes such as this – please feel free to drop me


line via besa@besa.org.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. June 2024 BBC TEACH


Boccia, drama and relationships: a summer term to remember Here, ALEX HARRIS,


Executive Producer at BBC Teach, shares some of the best resources for June – from inclusive sport to relationships and the summer solstice.


For lots of children, taking part in school performances can be a really memorable part of their time at school. Last summer, some of the most popular content on the BBC Teach


website was our musical version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. With midsummer nearly upon us, why not try out our accessible and engaging adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream?


Suitable for KS2 or KS3, it has eight catchy songs to learn, a script which is full of fun and mischief, and opportunities to include performers from many year groups with parts that are both big and small. There is a set of teacher notes which include a comprehensive range of activities, including extension activities for KS3. There are also additional worksheets and transcripts for each episode.


A good way to get started is to listen to the medley of clips from the songs – I guarantee you’ll be humming along! And remember to let us know about your performances. Email us at teach.bbc@bbc. co.uk. We’d love to know how you get on!


In the run-up to the Paralympic Games, BBC Education has a new initiative, called Super Movers for Every Body, to help amplify inclusive sport and physical activity in primary schools. We want all children to enjoy being active, and we want to reach and develop confident young disabled people and allies.


Super Movers for Every Body offers your class or school the opportunity to try para athletics (shot put, javelin and guided running), boccia, and blind football. We’ve teamed up with the Premier League and ParalympicsGB to create a series of new films and resources which explain these three Paralympic sports and give your pupils the lowdown on the equipment, rules, and tactics. There are printable guides and top tips videos to help you with teaching each of the sports.


You can check out all the resources at: www.bbc.co.uk/supermovers


Our Operation Ouch ‘How are babies made?’ special is also a popular resource at this time of year. Featuring Dr Chris, Dr Xand as well as Dr Ronx from the much-loved CBBC series, this collection of classroom films covers a range of topics across the relationships and sex education curriculum. This can be sensitive content of course, so we have provided guidance alongside the videos which should be consulted before playing in class.


Finally, returning to the theme of midsummer, our assembly on the summer solstice is a useful resource. Covering the seasons and the Earth’s orbit, celebrations including those at Stonehenge and the beauty of the natural world, the assembly includes a short video, a framework, and suggested songs from the BBC collection.


www.bbc.co.uk/teach www.education-today.co.uk 17


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