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DfE and CIPS

Strengthening commercial capability in education

CIPS & DfE launch 4 year strategic partnership which aims to build and enhance procurement knowledge within the school’s sector.

The focus is on creating accessible, high-impact learning pathways for staff at state funded schools and MATs across England to build and strengthen capability to ensure schools and trusts have access to the commercial expertise needed to secure the best value for money, as well adhering to ethical and sustainable standards of practice.

To find out more, contact:
emma.harley-cole@cips.org

Procurement Fundamentals 1 day training course.

A facilitated virtual workshop covering essential procurement processes and techniques such as contract management and supplier appraisals. This training is particularly suitable for school business professionals undertaking procurement as part of their role as well procurement specialists who are new into their role. It will provide all participants with an understanding of the fundamental principles of procurement.

CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme

The CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme is an independent, comprehensive procurement specific, assessment that will review your organisation’s procurement and supplier management procedures in targeted detail and highlight where improvements and efficiencies can be made. A number of MATs have already been through this process with CIPS – their case studies can be seen below

Group Membership & Digital Academy

For teams of ten or more, our Group Membership option will enable you to enjoy all the benefits of a CIPS membership plus access to our Digital Academy and our Ethical Procurement & Supply e-learning and test.

DOWNLOAD a FREE Procurement Benefits Tracker designed to help Multi-Academy Trusts track, evidence and report on the full range of benefits derived from procurement activity and influence. 

DfE Case studies

A close-up of a young boy wearing a white t-shirt and a light green baseball cap. He is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile while playing on a colorful outdoor playground structure. The background shows blurred green foliage.

Orchard Hill

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust set out to transform its procurement function from a small, back-office operation to a high profile, value-adding contributor to its mission. CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme - regarded by the Trust as the equivalent of an Outstanding rating by Ofsted - was chosen to guide and fasttrack its development.

READ CASE STUDY
Two people, a woman in a white dress and a man in a dark suit with a light blue tie, stand together holding a large, silver-framed certificate. The certificate is awarded to Nexus Multi Academy Trust for achieving the CIPS Procurement Excellence Standard Award. They are standing in front of a bright blue wall featuring a large white 'nexus' logo.

Nexus

Nexus Multi Academy Trust had expanded rapidly in a sector facing serious resource challenges and inexperienced in procurement. The Trust turned to the CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme to guide the establishment of a brand new procurement function with excellence at its core.

READ CASE STUDY
A group of six professionals stand in a line against a white wall with a large, stylized purple logo. Two men in the center hold a framed certificate awarded to Star Academies for the CIPS Procurement Excellence Standard Award. Several people in the group are wearing pink lanyards.

Star Academy

CIPS helps multi-academy trust take procurement to the next level. Star Academies were aware of the impact the CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme has had on education outcomes for other multi-academy trusts, so they signed up!

READ CASE STUDY
A group of five school children sit in a row on a wooden bench inside a bright classroom. Most of the students are wearing red jumpers and white collared shirts, while some are in white polo shirts. They are all looking off-camera to the right with smiling, engaged expressions. Large windows in the background let in natural light.

Red Kite Learning Trust

Red Kite Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust which went through a period of significant growth, increasing the number of schools it was responsible for and facing a number of challenges as the organisation became more complex and spend increased significantly.

READ CASE STUDY

DfE and CIPS sign new MOU to strengthen commercial capability in education

CIPS and the Department for Education (DfE) have launched a new four-year strategic partnership. The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aims to build and enhance procurement knowledge within the schools sector.

CIPS Apprenticeships

If you would like to develop serious, long-term procurement capability within your organisation, a CIPS apprenticeship could be the answer. Apprenticeships are available for new hires and existing staff alike. You can use government funding or your apprenticeship levy to cover the cost. MAT's can gift their levy to other trusts or schools, or schools could bid for it. Alternatively, If you don’t pay the levy, you contribute just 5%, with the government covering the rest. CIPS provides the full package: dedicated programme managers, one-to-ones, revision sessions, study materials, exam fees, and support right through to qualification. Training can take place virtually or on-site. Whatever works for you.