Guidance

Achieving better value when buying

Information about the range of support available to schools and trusts to buy goods and services, get better value and be compliant with procurement regulations.

Applies to England

Overview

This page brings together tools and guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) to support schools and trusts to get better value for money in line with procurement regulations.

DfE services to support schools and trusts

Energy for schools helps state-funded schools and trusts switch to the same energy contract used by DfE. It supports schools to:

  • secure best value
  • reduce risk
  • simplify the process of buying energy

Risk protection arrangement (RPA) is DfE’s alternative to commercial insurance that gives comprehensive risk protection, including cyber cover.

RPA membership brings many benefits that can help protect your school and staff, including:

  • financial protection
  • peace of mind
  • access to support

Get help buying for schools offers free support to help schools and trusts achieve the best value when purchasing goods and services.

We have already helped over 5,000 schools and trusts to:

  • get good value for money
  • save time
  • buy compliantly

Stay up to date

To learn about buying for schools and trusts, you can:

  • follow Buying for schools on LinkedIn for regular updates about how we’re supporting schools and trusts 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

Get help buying for schools

DfE Energy for schools

Updates to this page

Published 4 December 2025

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