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, Financial Management, Communications and Technology and Sustainability) 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.

In This Section:

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

Financial Management
Budget management and effective financial planning for schools.

Communications and Technology
Improving teaching, learning and school business management through the use of ICT

Sustainability
Focussing on the issue of sustainability and the government's sustainable schools initiative