Maximising Value for Pupils

The Department for Education’s Maximising Value for Pupils programme supports schools and trusts to get better value from their budgets, ensuring more funding reaches the frontline to improve outcomes for children.

Every school leader knows the challenge of stretching budgets to deliver the best possible education. This programme is a partnership between government and the education sector, working together to tackle the systemic barriers that prevent schools and trusts from getting best value for money.

The programme focuses on four key areas:

• On commercial matters, schools and trusts can access government-negotiated deals, including capped agency staff rates addressing the significant sums spent annually on supply staff
• The assets strand helps schools make the most of their financial reserves and physical estate, with tools to compare banking arrangements and guidance on maximising buildings and land
• Workforce support includes benchmarking tools and integrated curriculum and financial planning resources to help with strategic staffing decisions
• The capability strand offers free procurement training, access to experienced school resource management advisers, and peer networks for school business professionals.

The benefits are practical and immediate: reduced costs on everyday purchases, better returns on reserves, smarter spending decisions, and expert advice when you need it. Whether you’re a maintained school or academy trust, the programme provides free tools and support to help you achieve better value.