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St Thomas a Becket Catholic College

PURCHASING POLICY

1. Best Value

IntroductionThe governing body is accountable for the way in which the schools resources areallocated to meet the objectives set out in the school's development plans. Governorsneed to secure the best possible outcome for pupils, in the most efficient and effectiveway, at a reasonable cost. This will lead to continuous improvement in the school'sachievements and services

What Is Best Value?Governors will apply the four principles ofbest value:

Challenge - Is the schools performance high enough? Why and how is a service

provided? Do we still need it? Can it be delivered differently? What do parentswant?Compare - How does the schools pupil performance and financial performancecompare with all schools? How does it compare with LEA schools? How does itcompare with similar schools?Consult - How does the school seek the views of stakeholders about the

servicesthe school provides?Compete - How does the school secure efficient and effective services? Areservices of appropriate quality, economic?

PurchasingGovernors and school managers will develop procedures for assessing need, andobtaining goods and services which provide best value in terms of suitability,efficiency, time, and cost. Measures already in place include:

competitive tendering procedures (e.g. for goods and services above 5,000)

procedures for accepting best value quotes, which are not necessarily thecheapest (e.g. suitability for purpose and quality of workmanship)

procedures which minimise office time by the purchase of goods or servicesunder 1000 direct from known, reliable suppliers (e.g. stationery, smallequipment)

2. Order Process System

2.1 All orders must be placed via a requisition form see attached.

2.2 Verbal/telephone orders must not be placed. If there are any emergencysituations where telephone/verbal orders are essential, they should always befollowed up with an order clearly marked CONFIRMATION ORDER.

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2.3 The requisition form must be fully completed and authorised by the budgetholder. Catalogue/Item Nos should be quoted (where possible). Requisitionforms must be forwarded to the Bursar for processing.

2.4 All orders will be checked and signed by the School Business Manager to ensure

that sufficient funds are available within the appropriate budget before beingauthorised by the Headteacher

2.5 Copies of the requisition form can be obtained from the school office.

2.6 Verbal quotations will be obtained for orders of less than 2500.

2.7 All purchases over 2,500 - 15,000 per item will be subject to quotations. Thelowest quotation shall be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstancesapproved by the Resources Committee and subsequently reported to the next fullGovernors meeting.

3. Review

3.1 The purchasing policy will be reviewed by the Resources Committee on anannual basis.

Responsibility For Implementing The Policy16.1 The responsibility for ensuring that the School adheres to this policy rests with

the Headteacher.

Signed : Date :

Chairperson of the Governing Body

Signed : Date :

Headteacher

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