Skip to main content

Blog Buying for Schools

Organisations:
Department for Education

My experience of the risk protection arrangement (RPA) claims process when our school flooded.

My experience of the risk protection arrangement (RPA) claims process when our school flooded.

Catherine Morley is the Headteacher at Theale Church of England Primary School in Reading, West Berkshire. In this blog post, Catherine shares her experience of the RPA support her school received when an incident with the sprinkler suppression system resulted in severe water damage to her school.

Read more of My experience of the risk protection arrangement (RPA) claims process when our school flooded.

Get help buying for schools turns 2 and celebrates supporting over 2,000 schools and trusts

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Services
A head and shoulders picture of Jane Davies, who is smiling. Jane is wearing a black and cream striped jumper.

As Get help buying for schools celebrates its second birthday, Jane Davies, Head of Schools Commercial Operations at the Department for Education, reflects on what has been achieved so far, and the future aims of the service.

How joining a school business professional network could help you with buying for your school

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Advice and support
A headshot of Frances Rowland, Chair of the ABLE Network, with a quote alongside which reads: "Your fellow SBPs can understand the ups and downs of the job in a way that other colleagues in your school cannot". The ABLE logo is situated underneath the quote.

In the latest Buying for Schools blog post, network Chair Frances Rowland explains how the ABLE network supports school business professionals, and why you should consider joining a network if you’re not a member already.

Professional Development for School Business Professionals: How can we help?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Uncategorized
multiple people placing their hands on top of each other in a circle

In this blog post, Lindsey Roberts, Stakeholder and Engagement Coordinator from the School Resource Management (SRM) Team within DfE, explains the ways in which SRM can help support the training and development needs of School Business Professionals..

Transforming Public Procurement (TPP) - how procurement will change for some schools and trusts

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Advice and support
School children sat on floor of a hall in class/assembly with teacher at the front. Text reading 'Transforming public procurement (TPP)' overlapping image

Kevin Draisey is Head of Procurement Operations for Get help buying for schools, the DfE’s free supported buying service for schools and trusts. In this blog post, Kevin explains what Transforming Public Procurement (TPP) means for people who buy for schools and trusts, and how they can get ready for the changes ahead.

Sustainable drainage systems for schools – environmentally friendly flood prevention

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Advice and support
Three school children sat in a living willow dome

Amy Greenough, DfE’s lead for the Schools Water Strategy, talks about the sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) projects her team has worked on in partnership with water companies and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA), to reduce the surface water flood risk across the school estate.

Looking to review your school’s insurance? Check out the benefits of RPA – DfE’s alternative to commercial insurance

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Services
Picture of a laptop, list of things to do and magnifying glass

Are you reviewing your school or trust's insurance arrangements this autumn? Louise Green works in the Department for Education's Schools Commercial Team. In this blog post, Louise talks about the benefits of the DfE’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), an alternative to commercial insurance for state funded schools.

How can School Resource Management Advisers (SRMAs) help you?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Services
Two people having a conversation over a desk about some data that is showing on the laptop they are looking at

Lindsey Roberts, Engagement and Outreach Coordinator for the School Resource Management team, explains how the DfE's School Resource Management Adviser (SRMA) programme can support you with managing your school or academy trust’s finances or resources.

My experience of using Get help buying for schools to buy cleaning services for my school

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Services
Photo of Zoe Allcott on yellow background

In this blog post, Zoe Allcott, Business Manager at Thrive Education Partnership, shares her experience of using the Get help buying for schools service, including the level of support she received and how the service has helped her to upskill.

One year on from the refreshed School Resource Management (SRM) strategy

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Uncategorized
school resource management title showing 2 hands overlapping to suggest partnership

Cherise Heavey, Communications and User-Engagement Lead from the School Resource Management (SRM) team, explains what the SRM offer is, what's new in the SRM offer, and what's coming up in 2023. 

Related content and links

About this blog

The Buying for Schools blog is run by the Department for Education’s (DfE) Schools Commercial Team. We’re here to support people who buy for schools and buying decision makers in schools around all those potentially tricky areas of procurement.

Find out more.

Sign up and manage updates