EducationUpdateThe newsletter for schools and academies

Autumn Term 2014

For a spooktacular Christmas…remember, rememberthe 5th of November!

Did you know? Last December aloneESPO customers bought over 20,500kgworth of Christmas turkey dinnersfrom us – that’s the equivalent weightof 19 Mini Coopers!

groups in Nottinghamshire and Norfolk,including procurement workshops and‘healthchecks’ to help identify savings andincrease schools’ procurement knowledge.We very much look forward to developing thisrelationship over the coming months andcontinuing to provide outstandingprocurement solutions to all our educationcustomers.

To learn more about whatNottingham ASBM customers hadto say about us visit espo.org.

Welcome to your autumnedition of Education Update.It’s packed full of helpful hints, tipsand ideas to make this term anotherexciting one.

This term we’ve introduced our newand improved website, designed tomake finding information about us andour frameworks quick and easy.

We’ve also been talking to one ofour experts in education procurementto produce your very ownprocurement master class.

Remember, we love to hear yourfeedback, so please get in touch atcommunications@espo.org

Trevor Phipps,ESPO Marketing and Sales Director

A DATE FORYOUR DIARY 5NOV

We’re NASBMapproved partnersWe’re proud to announce that ESPO arenow approved partners for the NationalAssociation of School Business Management(NASBM), which is the UK’s leadingassociation for school business managementprofessionals.This approved partner status recognisesESPO’s commitment to its customers assuppliers going for approved status must berecommended by schools for their high levelof service and provide supporting references.These references came as a result of thework ESPO had been doing with local ASBM

The ESPO Food and Catering teamwill be hosting a spooktacularChristmas afternoon event, hereat ESPO at 2pm onWednesday5 November 2014.

Come along and chat to our team overa steaming cup of ‘eye of newt tea’,‘spooky soup’ and ‘witch’s sponge fingers’.

Learn more about how ESPO and oursuppliers can help you with yourseasonal food needs like yummy toffeeapples and festive shortbread Christmastrees as well as helping with your overallcatering requirements.

Look out for this event atespo.org and our Twitterand Facebook pages formore details.

Introducing the new and improved espo.orgWe’re delighted to announce that our brand new website is now available.

New featuresat a glance:• Modern, professionalappearance.

• Powerful search functionality.• View and download allESPO frameworks includingthose in the pipeline.

• Streamlined customerapplication process.

• Optimised for use on smartphones and tablets.

• Star feature! Registeredcustomers can now gainaccess to their own unique‘MyESPO’ dashboard.

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Dashboard

is designed to makeyour life easier, with personalisedcontent guaranteed to reduce the timeyou spend searching the site.In addition, a whole host of information relevant to youraccount is now accessible instantaneously.

Your very own personalised Dashboard.All your regular ESPO needs in one placeincluding contact details for your regionalAccount Manager, tailored special offersand framework recommendationsspecifically relevant to you.

Interest listKeep track of frameworks that you use ormay be interested in.Add a framework to your interest list andyou’ll be automatically notified of anychanges in suppliers, extensionsand renewals.

Out&AboutEXPO ED – CambridgeTuesday 30 SeptemberBurgess Hall,St Ivo Recreation Centre,St Ives, Cambridgeshire

EXPO ED – CardiffTuesday 7 October 2014Cardiff City Stadium

NASBM AnnualConference19 – 20 NovemberHilton BirminghamMetropole Hotel

The Academies ShowWednesday 26 NovemberBirmingham NEC

LACA Food andCatering RoadshowSee page 6 to find anevent near you.

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Ordering products?If you’re ordering products from us online thenremember our catalogue website hasn’t changed.

You can still order products at espocatalogue.orgusing your existing login.

To signup for your newMyESPOaccount visitespo.org

Account

Comingsoon…

This allows you tomanage your own dataincluding makingamendments to yourpersonalised informationwithout the needto phone us.

We’re workingon moreprocurement toolsto help makeusing frameworkseasier.

Procuremaster

We inteRowena T

Education PManager

Good procurement isthe first step to

successfully managingyour school’s expenditure.I’ve seen some of the best and worstprocurement practices over my30 years of working at ESPO and soI’ve listed my top tips to considerfor your nextbuying decision.

1 Beware misleading discountsSome suppliers offer invitingly high levels ofdiscounts that look tempting at first glance.My advice - approach with caution. Somediscounts are great and there are bargains

to be had, but heavily discounted prices could also bea sign of inflated margins. A 50% discount means thatthe provider can afford to take off 50% and still makea profit. A smaller incentive such as 5% may indicatethat a provider’s original or net prices are already low.

Solution: Always compare net prices and don’t just assume that the highestdiscount percentage will produce the best deal. Choose a provider that can giveclear and concise information on their net pricing and offer consistently low pricesacross their range all year round. Remember, you are well within your rights torequest this information from a supplier before placing any orders.

2 Wise up to worthless warrantiesIt’s always a risk when you make a big purchase and so it’s great to have a warranty toact as a safety net if things go wrong. However this might not always be the case.

The first thing to be aware of with warranties is that the provider must still be trading inorder for you to claim so you need to think how confident are you that they will still exist in 1, 2, 5 or even 10 years?

Secondly, does the warranty cover usage within commercialenvironments? Unfortunately this is the one that catches manyschools out all too often. If you buy from high street retailers,domestic suppliers or online their warranties are unlikely to be validfor use inside commercial buildings such as schools but you mightnot realise this until it’s too late.

Solution: Use a supplier that takes account of the setting theproduct will be used in. For example ESPO have negotiatedwarranties on domestic white goods for use in schools to coverthem for just such an instance, giving you the same peace ofmind in school as you have at home.

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ementr classerviewThomas,rocurementr at ESPO

3 Time is moneyYou could spend all your time comparing one product against another, onesupplier against the next and some savings could indeed be achievedfollowing this route – but at what cost?

When you add up the cost of your time spent trawling the market for prices and handlingpaperwork from many different suppliers do the savings still hold up? Have you alsoconsidered the additional work this can create for other departments too? More suppliersmean more work for your school burser or finance assistants as they have to processmany more invoices and supplier checks.

Solution: Ask a provider to compare the market for you! Our ESPO ProcurementHealthchecks save the average primary school £1500 per year and secondary schools amassive £2500 per year! For an afternoon of your time our team will use your invoices toidentify where savings can be made if you were to switch to using ESPO’s catalogue andframeworks. Also, as we pride ourselves on being open with our customers we’ll always

tell you if you’ve already got a better deal on certain items elsewhere.Unlike other providers we don’t charge a fee for this service, and neither do

we take a cut of the savings; 100% of the savings you make areretained within your school or academy.

4 Compare apples with applesHere you need to ask yourself what’s thedeciding factor for your school?Bottom line cost is important but maybe

not at the expense of sacrificing quality. I’msure you’ve all heard the stories of low cost copierpaper that jams up machines, or low cost writingpaper that can’t be used on both sides because it’sso thin. Service specifications and service levels canalso differ widely from one provider to the next and this can make comparing difficult.

Solution: Beware of the ‘bargain’ that ends up costing you dear, and make sure youcompare like with like. Ask yourself, do you fully understand what different providers areoffering so that you can make a meaningful comparison such as price, quality, warranty orservice levels?

When comparing products and services, make sure you take all these factors into account,not just the price in isolation. Again, ask your provider for clear information before signingany agreement, if they have nothing to hide they should be happy to assist.

5 Make use of frameworksThis one is simple; stop wasting time and moneyrunning lengthy tendering processes.

Solution: These days many providers can do the leg work for you.ESPO have over 150 frameworks already set up and many more inthe pipeline. Not only do they save you time and money but youcan be safe in the knowledge that they are all compliant with UKand EU procurement rules and regulations and have been set up byCategory Managers who are experts in their field. Again, our ESPOAccount Managers are trained in assisting you in the use offrameworks so take advantage of this.

ESPO ProcurementHealthchecks savethe averageprimary school

£1500per year

Your procurement master class continuesin your next edition of Education Update…

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Back by popular demandEXPO ED, our very own education resource show is back by popular demand.This year we’re holding our first everevent in Wales on 7 October as wellas our original show in Cambridge on30 September.It’s set to be our biggest event yetand we'd love you to join us.

Show highlights:• Thousands of new products• Meet exhibiting ESPO suppliers• Smart procurement workshop• Energy saving seminar

Be sure to book your place onthe seminars and workshops asspaces are limited. Pre-registerfor your fast track admission byvisiting espo.organd find theregistrationform on ourevents page.

“It’s important to remember that the implementation of UIFSMs willcreate greater use for existing catering equipment, thereforeregular service and maintenance is key to prolonging the life ofyour equipment. Machine efficiency can be improved and this in

turn will save you money by reducing the risk of failure or breakdown.With this framework, regional supplier coverage means suppliers in yourarea can act quickly for routine and emergency call outs. Plannedpreventative maintenance packages can also provide peace of mindand greater efficiency to minimise disruption to your cateringoperation. All of this and more is available from ESPO by accessingframework 98.”

Scott Buttress, Senior Buyer, Food and Catering team

Did you know?The hire of commercial kitchen equipment and portable kitchen pods (if you don’thave a kitchen or equipment on the premises) and food transportboxes are also covered under framework 98.

More information Find thequick start guide for thisframework at espo.org formore information aboutsuppliers and how thisframework can be used.Alternatively, our Food and Cateringteam are always happy to help with any queries.t: 0116 265 7893 e: food@espo.org

Join us at a LACA roadshow event near you:Blackpool – 29th SeptemberBarcelo Imperial Hotel

Durham – 30th SeptemberRamside Hall Hotel

Sheffield – 7th OctoberSheffield Wednesday Football Club

Leicester – 8th OctoberLeicester Tigers Rugby Club

Newmarket – 9th OctoberNewmarket Racecourse

Exeter – 14th OctoberExeter Racecourse

Newbury – 15th OctoberNewbury Racecourse

London – 16th OctoberWest Ham United Football Club

Worcestershire – 21st OctoberThree Counties Showground

Visit espo.org for more details.

Freeadmission

Prolongthe life of your

equipment by using theservice and maintenancepackages available underESPO framework 98.See lot 5 for supplier

details.

Serving up solutions with framework 98As Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) comesinto effect we talk to our Food and Catering teamabout how the service and maintenance element of ourCatering equipment framework (ref: 98) can help you tomake the most of your equipment investment.

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Frameworkin the

spotlightEducationconsultancy(ref: 664)

Our Consultancy services framework (ref: 664) was introducedby our Professional Services team in January 2013 as a directresponse to the needs of education establishments like yours.As the consultancy framework is so vast we’ve highlighted the educationand learning section which offers professional consultancy servicescovering many areas specific to schools and academies.

ESPO frameworks�All free to access

�All fully compliant withEU and UK procurementregulations

�All suppliers are checkedin advance to meet strictquality standards

�All include pre-agreedterms and conditions

Professional advicecovering:� Academy conversions

� Adult education

� Behavioural improvementprogrammes

� Curriculum developmentand learning

� Early years development

� Healthy school programmes

� School admissions

� School excellenceprogrammes

� School improvement plans

� School remodellingprogrammes

The main benefits:• All your consultation requirements

met by a single provider. No needto consult other firms, saving youtime and money.

• Professional advice from industryexperts experienced in workingwithin the education sector.

• Access to advice covering a widerange of areas including academyconversion, school improvementplans and curriculum development.

This framework provides a compliant,holistic approach to achieving wholeschool efficiencies and increased pupil

performance. It helps make what can be avery complex and stressful process muchmore manageable with the support ofindustry experts, experienced inmeeting these challenges.

Simon HerneESPO Business Services Manager - Education

For more informationabout how this service canproduce real benefits toyour school or academycheck out our onlinepresentation.

Simply log on to your MyESPO account at espo.org andfollow the link to the presentation.

Trust us; if you’re considering a large project in need ofprofessional advice, you’ll be glad you did.

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If you prefer to receive an electronic copy of this newsletterin the future, email:marketing@espo.org

ESPO BarnsdaleWay, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester LE19 1ES© ESPO 2014 www.espo.org

IF IT’SIMPORTANT,DON’TLET IT SLIP

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Invest your share wiselyDid this year’s sizzling summer of sport inspire your school to get more active?If so you’ll welcome the next instalment of your Sport Premium funding thisSeptember.

Why not carry on the success of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games by startingup your own athletics club or perhaps gymnastics really took your fancy?Whatever you decide, whether its hurdles and javelins or balance bars andagility mats you can find a huge selection of products in our dedicated sportsand leisure catalogue.

Request yours today from espo.org

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April 2014 / March 2015 Sport&Leisurewww.espocatalogue.org

SportPremiumFundingFor all primary

schools until 2020see page 4 for

details...

Congratulations toDunchurch Infant Schoolin Rugby who’ve wonthemselves a year’s supply ofTORK hand towels!

Great offer extendedWe’re pleased to announce thatthe TORK paper towel offer whereyou can get 23% off on TORK’snew softer 2 ply towel is nowrunning until 31 December 2014!Use ESPO product code 196983to buy a case of 3750 sheets,usually priced at £18.15 nowavailable for just £13.94(price breaks don’t apply).