FAQ

Is there a charge for using SCEMES’ services?

No, all SCEMES’ services are free to educational users.

The Headteachers and Bursars Handbooks are sent out free of charge to 32,000 schools and colleges bi-annually, and SCEMES Online is a free service for all.

How do I get hold of a copy of your Handbooks?

If your school hasn’t received a copy of The Handbook of Procurement or the Handbook of Sustainable Procurement, click here to request a copy.

Once we have received your request, we will immediately send you copies of the Handbooks. We will also add your school’s details to our mailing list and ensure that all future editions of the Headteachers and Bursars Handbooks are mailed to you.

What types of businesses are listed in the Handbooks?

The Handbook of Sustainable Procurement only lists businesses that can help schools achieve their sustainable schools targets. These range from businesses that can help reduce the carbon footprint of your school, to those that will help you teach sustainability in the classroom.

Some of the categories featured in the Handbook of Sustainable Procurement include: sustainable building supplies and services; solar panels; recycled and sustainable furniture; organic and fair-trade goods; eco-friendly cleaning products and services, and educational trips and visits.

The Handbook of Procurement is much broader in scope and contains details of companies supplying any type of product or service required in running a school, for both curriculum and non-curriculum spending.

Some of the categories featured in the Handbook of Procurement include: building and electrical services; computing and IT; play and playground equipment; clothing and uniforms; books; catering equipment and services, and entertainment, trips and travel.

For more information about the types of businesses listed in the Handbooks, why not browse our directory.

Are the suppliers listed in the Handbooks recommended by SCEMES?

The presence of listing in SCEMES’ Handbooks implies no endorsement of the products or services offered, and buyers may wish to seek references before committing to purchases or contracts of employment.

However all the companies listed in the Handbooks and on SCEMES Online are actively seeking to serve the educational marketplace and many have years of experience in working with schools and colleges.

Don’t I have to use suppliers approved by my LEA?

Changes to the way that schools are run and managed means that schools are no longer under any obligation to use suppliers suggested on LEA approved lists.

Buying products and engaging contractors are now the responsibility of individual schools, and whilst County Councils can still offer schools selective tendering lists, Headteachers, Bursars and Governing Bodies are free to select their own contractors as long as they take responsibility for carrying out the necessary checks.

SCEMES’ Handbooks have been endorsed by a number of LEA’s, who are aware of the services that we provide and believe that our directories can help foster competition and help schools achieve value for money.

A number of LEA’s including Greenwich, Falkirk, Wrexham, Pembrokeshire and North Somerset have requested hundreds of extra copies of the Handbook of Sustainable Procurement to distribute to schools in their locality.

Is it only possible to search for local suppliers?

Both SCEMES’ Handbooks are divided into eleven local regions, so that you can source best value products and services from within your local community. However, if you can’t find what you’re looking for in your local section, we have an extensive base of national suppliers available in the National sections of the Handbooks.

SCEMES’ online directory also offers you a choice of local and national suppliers each time you search, allowing you to compare businesses from within your local community and from the wider national marketplace.

How do I know which category to search in for a certain product or service?

To help buyers in their search for products and services, we have listed categories alphabetically within each of the eleven regional sections.

However, if you are unable to find what you’re looking for, we have included an index at the rear of both the Handbooks listing all categories under main subject headings for ease of reference.

When searching for products and services online, you can either search by entering a key-word and postcode, or by clicking on the regionalised map and choosing the category that best fits your needs from a list of options.

When will the next issues of the Handbooks be sent to my school?

The Handbook of Procurement is mailed to schools every September and the Handbook of Sustainable Procurement is printed and distributed in April.

How do I know which is the most competitive supplier of those listed in a particular category?

SCEMES’ Handbooks and online directory do not indicate how competitive a supplier is or whether they are available for work. However, schools can access this information via SCEMES’ E-Quote facility, a secure online service that allows schools to check suppliers’ prices and availability without disclosing their details or committing themselves to place an order.

What are the benefits of using SCEMES’ Handbooks instead of other national or local directories?

All the businesses listed in SCEMES’ Handbooks are actively seeking to serve the educational marketplace and many have years of experience in working with schools and colleges.

SCEMES’ directories provide school buyers with a one-stop shop for all their purchasing needs and save buyers time and money by collating all the suppliers that they need in one directory that is trusted by thousands of schools nationwide.

Can I offer SCEMES some suggestions or comments about the Handbooks?

We are always pleased to receive feedback from schools that have used SCEMES’ Handbooks or online services. If you have any comments or suggestions for us then please click here to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!