Procurement Support for Schools & Trusts
Navigating the Procurement Act 2023 with Confidence
Since 24 February 2025, the Procurement Act 2023 has applied to all public sector contracts, including those awarded by academy trusts. For schools, this marks a major shift in how procurement must be carried out: moving away from “lowest price wins” towards a value-driven approach that considers lifecycle costs, operational savings, and social impact.
Why It Matters for Schools and Trusts
The Department for Education (DfE) is already reminding trusts of their duty to demonstrate robust due diligence when appointing contractors. In 2024 as part of the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) post award process, funding was withdrawn from eligible trusts due to ‘procurement irregularities’.
In short: non-compliance risks losing funding.
As Tim Warneford explains:
“The Procurement Act is a chance for schools to do more than just save money – it’s about choosing suppliers that deliver lasting value.”
Warneford’s Support for Trusts
At Warneford Consulting, we help academy trusts:
- Manage fully compliant procurement processes under the Act
- Demonstrate transparency and value for money
- Strengthen bids and protect funding by avoiding governance risks
By combining rigorous due diligence with sector expertise, we ensure procurement is not just compliant, but strategic.
Looking Ahead
We’ll be sharing further insights at the Education Estates Conference, Manchester (14–15 October 2025), where Tim Warneford will speak on the Procurement Act and lead a practical workshop.
Public sector attendees can register for free here.
Need procurement support for your trust? Contact us to discuss how we can help.
