Understanding Procurement

Every Headteacher, school governor or school leadership team has to deal with procurement and budget management issues in order to run an effective school.

For schools to survive, they need to source a vast array of products and services, from curriculum supplies to cleaning services, and stationary to playground equipment.

The challenge that procurement staff face, is making the best use of the school budget to maximise its impact on the raising of educational standards.

To do this, it’s important that procurement staff consider a range of factors before committing to the purchase of products and services.

This section provides a summary of the most common issues facing procurement staff in both the education sector as a whole, and within individual schools.

By looking at four topics of specific relevance to Headteachers and Bursars (Health and Safety, Sourcing Suppliers, Budgeting and Sustainable Procurement) we explore some of the most important considerations purchasers must make when preparing to purchase products or services for their school.

Each section provides school purchasers with a summary understanding of the relevant topic as well as evaluations and case studies from organisations working with the education sector, offering practical advice to schools.

Within the Health and Safety section, Datatrak Ltd explains the importance of electrical safety in schools, whilst metal detective specialists Regton Ltd discuss security solutions. In the Sourcing Suppliers section, the Europan Fencing Industry Association looks at the TrustMark scheme, and the Master Locksmiths Association discusses the importance of choosing a member of a trusted trade body.

The Budgeting section contains articles from Fones4Schools, the UK’s leading recycling campaign for schools, and SCEMES, who can help schools find competitive suppliers through their E-Quote facility, and the Sustainable Procurement section contains insights from the successful international award programme Eco-schools.

In This Section:

Health & Safety
Focussing on effective risk assessment, good health and safety practices, and security solutions for schools.

Sourcing Suppliers
Helping schools source suppliers that offer the best in quality, safety and value for money.

Budgeting
How to optimise the potential of your school’s budget by analysing your long-term goals and immediate needs.

Sustainable Procurement
Using procurement to help your school achieve its 2020 sustainable schools targets.