SBC receives a commendation at the Education Business Awards

Schools’ Buying Club is delighted to have been nominated for the School Procurement Award at this year’s Education Business Awards where we received a commendation. The Awards have pioneered the recognition of school achievements since 1998, reporting on thousands of school success stories to date.

The Education Business Awards recognised our work with two Harrow primary Schools. The schools approached Schools’ Buying Club when the Local Authority announced that it was ceasing its cleaning service.  It was the first time the schools had gone to tender for a fully outsourced contract, and Schools’ Buying Club supported the end-to-end procurement process, resulting in savings of £84k against the most expensive bidder.

“Having been unsatisfied with our existing cleaning contract and contract performance, I was introduced to School’s Buying Club at an ISBL Conference. I have been working with them since the start of the year to run a joint procurement process in conjunction with another school in our West Harrow cluster. The process has been efficient and well led and we are very pleased with the outcome and contract award to our new provider. The procurement advice and support we have received during this process has been invaluable and we have felt well supported during the transitional period.” Kirsten Beaven, Schools’ Business Leader.

Education Business also recognised our virtual procurement officer service, where expert advisers are dedicated to the school business team. This provides schools with a cost-effective way of having access to a procurement expert without having to recruit a full time member of staff.