Buying for schools - GOV.UK

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Buying for schools

Use DfE-approved buying options to buy goods and services for your school, get better value and be compliant with procurement regulations.

From: Department for Education Published 1 September 2023 Last updated 16 October 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Buying routes: supporting compliance with the procurement regulations 

Once you know what you’re buying and how much you’re spending, you’ll need to identify the buying routes that are permitted by the procurement regulations. 

Refer to the 5 buying routes to help you decide which one is best for you to follow. 

DfE-approved buying options 

We’ve reviewed and approved buying options for schools to buy goods and services. The approved buying options are listed by category on our online service Get help buying for schools. 

Use the Get help buying for schools service to find DfE-approved buying options that offer: 

• compliance with the relevant procurement legislation 
• suppliers pre-checked by the provider of the approved buying option 
• pre-agreed terms and conditions 

Start using the service

More help and support for your procurement  

Register for free approved training on the Procurement Act 2023 

You can access 10 free e-learning modules on the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force in February 2025. 

Get guidance and training on managing a contract 

Refer to the writing and managing a contract guidance, which includes information about training. 

Get support from other schools 

To get support, you can join or create a school business professionals network to connect and share information with your peers. 

Sign up for free webinars and events about buying for schools 

You can register for our free webinars and events to help your school save time and get good value when buying goods and services. 

Stay up to date 

To learn more about buying for schools, you can: 

• follow Buying for Schools on LinkedIn for regular updates about how we’re supporting schools to make the most of non-staff spend 
• read our Buying for Schools blog to learn about what we’re working on now and what we’ll be doing next 

Help for governing boards

Governing boards of maintained schools and academy trusts can find out more from the guide to procurement in schools and trusts from the National Governance Association (NGA).

Updates to this page

Published 1 September 2023 Last updated 16 October 2025 + show all updates

1. 16 October 2025

   Updated guidance for the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

2. 4 April 2025

   Added a link to the guide on procurement in schools and trusts from the the National Governance Association (NGA).

3. 24 February 2025

   Added information on free approved training for the new Procurement Act 2023 and how to register on the central digital platform.

4. 18 January 2024

   Added a link to 'Transforming Public Procurement (TPP) - how procurement will change for some schools and trusts'.

5. 1 September 2023

   First published.

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