If you’re responsible for procurement in a school or multi-academy trust, you know what it means to make every pound go further. Every purchasing decision and supplier deal carries real consequences for your budget, your organisation, and your pupils.
The good news is that you don’t need to figure it out alone.
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), the global professional body for procurement, has partnered with the Department for Education to give school and trust staff access to world-class training, support, and resources. Relevant learning pathways are available for individuals and schools with a full range of experience levels, from those brand new to procurement, to schools and trusts looking to advance existing capability.
Why procurement matters in schools
Energy, food, cleaning, technology, and facilities. Schools and MATs spend billions of pounds every year on goods and services. When handled professionally, procurement doesn’t just save money. It protects your organisation, ensures you’re getting fair value, and helps you work with suppliers who share your values on ethics and sustainability.
Neglecting the quality of your procurement skills can leave you exposed to overpaying, poor supplier performance, and compliance risk.
That’s why CIPS and the DfE have committed to a four-year strategic partnership, focused specifically on building procurement capability across state-funded schools and MATs in England.
Getting the basics right: Procurement Fundamentals training
Not a procurement professional? Not a problem. CIPS Procurement Fundamentals training is a one-day workshop designed to support staff members involved with procurement, even if they don’t have any formal experience.
In just six hours, participants will be given a working understanding of the full procurement cycle. They will learn how to plan purchases, write a proper specification, run a competitive bid, evaluate suppliers, and manage relationships once a contract is in place. The workshop is engaging, practical, and DfE-funded, meaning there’s no cost to eligible participants.
Build a career in procurement: 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. 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.
Transform your whole function: The Procurement Excellence Programme
Already have some procurement activity in place, but not sure how effective it really is? The CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme (PEP) takes a comprehensive look at how your organisation buys and tells you where and how to improve.
You’ll be assigned a CIPS assessor, a highly experienced procurement professional, to conduct a detailed review of your processes, policies, and supplier management. The result is a clear picture of what’s working, what isn’t, and what you need to do to improve.
MATs who have been through the programme have emerged with stronger, leaner, more effective procurement functions. Far from a tick-box exercise, participation in the programme can inspire a genuine transformation.
"This MoU is a signal of both parties’ intent and ambition to work together to help the sector continue to improve its commercial capability. We are committed to providing access to CIPS learning, such as their popular Procurement Fundamentals training. We’ve had really positive feedback from participants so far, on the pilots we ran, and from the courses we’ve supported in the autumn term. We look forward to continuing our journey together with CIPS: this work is inspirational and a true shared endeavour for the benefit of all in the sector.”
Susan Dawson
DfE Commercial Director
Come and talk to us at the Schools & Academies Show
CIPS will be at the Schools & Academies Show on 7th May 2026 at ExCeL London. Whether you’re just getting started in procurement, looking to upskill your team, or thinking about a wider review of how your school makes purchasing decisions, we’d love to talk. Come and find us.
CIPS – Stand F25