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What is social value and how can schools and trusts benefit from it?

Stacey Speakman wearing an orange top, smiling at the camera

Find out why the Get help buying for schools service wants to work with schools and trusts to ensure they are getting not just value for money, but wider social value from their procurements, and why schools shouldn’t be afraid to ask suppliers what additional value they can bring to the table.

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

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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

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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?

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..

Sustainable drainage systems for schools – environmentally friendly flood prevention

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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

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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?

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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 catering and cleaning for my school

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Three primary school aged children eating their school dinner. The middle child is laughing.

In this blog post, Jason Murgatroyd, Executive Head at Grangetown Primary School in Middlesbrough, shares his experience of using Get help buying for schools to buy catering and cleaning, and how it could help you with your buying too.